Unused funds
Where an application is approved, the full CSEF payment for that year will be granted no matter when it is approved.
If the family has already paid for some camp, sports or excursion costs, the CSEF payment cannot be used to reimburse families for those payments. However, families may:
- carry over the unused amount to be used on eligible activities in the following year – CSEF funds cannot be directly refunded to families
- create a ‘family credit’ for the costs already paid. The credit can then be used towards other school expenses. To process this type of credit the following CASES21 process must be completed to ensure the Business Activity Statement (BAS), family account and various other reports are correct:
- Ensure that the parent/carer has paid for an excursion/camp/sports activity earlier in the year.
- Create a family invoice in DF31006 or DF31001 using the original Fee Code to which the CSEF funds will be allocated, and for the amount to be allocated.
- Go to ‘Manually allocate CSEF Receipts’ and allocate the CSEF funds to the new invoice that was just created.
- Create a Family Credit Note — DF31021 for the same amount as in step 1, using the same Fee Code. Apart from the amount do not change any other details.
- This credit will stay on the family account until the family advises the school what they want this to be allocated to.
For further CASES21 related scenarios that school administrators may encounter, refer to CSEF Help for CASES21 Family (staff login required). This document provides step-by-step guidance to resolve or address potential issues.
For any additional assistance or variation to this scenario log a call with the department service desk on 1800 641 943.
Students changing schools
The school that the student is enrolled at and attending on the 27 February census date is the school that must process and receive the CSEF payment.
If a student transfers to another Victorian school (either government or non-government), including where a student is transitioning to secondary school, the following process is required.
Action required
- Unspent CSEF amounts should be transferred to the student’s new school. A funds transfer would typically require the initiating school to create a CASES21 Family Payment and then arrange for the unspent portion to be transferred to the new school via a bank transfer or cheque payment. For more information, see the CASES21 Family Financial Process – refer to Section 1.
- if the unspent amount is minimal, the schools may agree that the funds are not transferred as long as the new school commits to providing the student with assistance to the value of the unspent amount.
Students completing Year 12 or leaving the school system
For students completing Year 12 or otherwise leaving the school system:
- schools schould allocate unspent funds to the student’s siblings attending the same school once the student leaves school. It is advised that the school holds onto the CSEF for the family for 12 months in case they return to the school system
- remaining CSEF funds that are not used by siblings will stay with the school and may be used to assist any students in need with school-incurred costs for camps, sports activities and excursions.
Reviewed 24 December 2025
