The Morrison Government is consulting on the implementation of a new tax concession to support pastoral care services in Australian schools.
Announced in the 2021‑22 Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the consultation paper released today outlines a design for a new deductible gift recipient (DGR) general category in the tax law for funds that support school pastoral care services.
This measure will give everyday Australians and philanthropists an incentive to make donations to support the delivery of these important services that support the personal wellbeing of Australian school students.
Wellbeing support services are increasingly being integrated into Australian schools to support young people facing challenges relating to stress, relationships, managing emotions, social media, bullying, and health and lifestyle issues.
Chaplains and pastoral care workers are valued members of school communities who support the social and emotional wellbeing of students. These services are particularly important in the current environment, as students deal with the challenges resulting from the COVID‑19 pandemic and return to school.
Once this new law is enacted, those who donate $2 or more to a relevant fund can claim an income tax deduction for that donation.
The Government welcomes views from stakeholders on the design features of the new DGR category.
The discussion paper is available on the Treasury website. Submissions are sought by 29 April 2022.