Applications for the Variety Boost Grant will open at 9am, 10 March 2025 and close at 5pm, 31 March 2025.
The Variety Boost Grant provides secondary-aged students in Out of Home Care (OOHC) with one-time financial support of up to $2,000.
This funding helps young people achieve their goals in education, career support, health and wellbeing, life skills or community connection.
The Variety Boost Grant empowers young individuals to thrive and build a positive future.
Eligibility
- Must be a young person aged 12-18 years old in OOHC (foster or residential care) under the care of the Minister for Children (NSW or the ACT).
- Must be enrolled in school, further education or employment.
- Requires a support letter from the young person’s case manager.
- Must live in NSW or the ACT.
Application Process
- Can be completed by a responsible adult in the young person’s life.
- Provide a clear outline of the young person’s needs and how the grant will help them achieve their goals.
- Include quote for the requested item and/or service (no older than three months).
- Support letter from the case worker, confirming eligibility, care arrangements and need for the grant.
The Variety Boost Grant is here to support young people in reaching their full potential and building a brighter future. Apply now to give them the boost they deserve!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Variety Boost grant is for secondary aged students in Out of Home Care (OOHC). The purpose of this grant is to support young people in OOHC and provide the boost they need to thrive at school or in the workplace, be healthy, and connect with their community.
It offers one-time financial support of up to $2000 to purchase practical resources to help them reach their goals in areas such as: education and career support, health and wellbeing, life skills development and community connection.
The goal of this grant is to empower young people to build a positive future, and we encourage you to think about what resources can best support their journey!
Applications can only be accepted for secondary aged students from 12-18 years old.
First and foremost, an applicant must meet all eligibility requirements. In addition to reviewing each applicant based on their own merit, we will also look for the following:
- Clear concise information. Define exactly what the individual requires and why.
- Correct legible attachments.
- Support letters from the young person’s case worker that directly address the requirements outlined in the grant guidelines.
If the application is not clear and/or doesn’t include requested information or attachments, it may be declined.
We strongly recommend speaking to your support professionals, caseworkers, teachers, family/friends etc. to assist you during the process.
If you require any further support or clarification, please contact the Kids Support Team on [email protected] or at 9819 1000.
Please note: the Kids Support Team cannot submit an application on your behalf.
Once submitted, all applications are pre-assessed by the Kids Support Team to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.
All eligible applications are then considered by the Grants Committee. This committee is made up of experts and each application is assessed on its own merit. All decisions are at the discretion of this Committee.
Application must be able to provide a support letter from the young person’s case manager that provides the below information:
- Confirm young person’s care arrangements, education and/or employment status.
- Endorse young person’s grant request and how it will support them achieve specified goal.
- Confirm person applying for grant is the appropriate person to apply and utilise the grant money.
- Confirm that there are no existing funding sources available to cover the cost of the item or service, or that any available funding has already been exhausted.
The purpose of the support letter is to provide evidence and acknowledgement of the young person’s need. The Committee relies heavily on this document when reviewing applications.
Variety pays suppliers directly on invoice or reimburses recipient via online submission of receipts.
This grant is designed to support young people in OOHC with practical resources to help them reach their goals. As part of the grant, we encourage applicants to use the funds in ways that will make a real difference in their lives. This might include things like:
- School Supplies (textbooks, stationery, uniform)
- Technology (laptop, internet access, software subscriptions)
- Course Fees (tuition, certification, workshops)
- Extracurricular Activities (sports clubs, music lessons, leadership camps)
- Health Services (medical, therapy, mental health support)
- Fitness Support (gym membership, sports equipment)
- Self-Esteem & Life Skills (confidence-building workshops, financial literacy)
- Social Programs (volunteering, community engagement activities)
- Transportation Support (public transport cards, driving lessons)
10th March 2025: Applications open 9am
31st March 2025: Applications close 5pm
April 2025: Applications are reviewed and assessed by the Committee
April/May 2025: Applicants receive an email to advise them of the outcome
In April/May 2025, applicants will receive an email with the outcome of their application.
For more information, please refer to the Variety Boost Grant Guidelines.
We are here to help so please call and ask to speak to one of our friendly Kids Support Team Members on 02 9819 1000 or email [email protected] if you have any questions.