Health & Education Support

Centennial Coal provides annual funding of as much as $160,000 to the WNAC to support the health and education of the Wonnarua people. Members of the WNAC can apply for health and education grants. The applications are assessed by the WNAC Aboriginal Health and Aboriginal Education subcommittees.

Members – please note: for a period of time now Centennial Coal’s funding has been reduced by half as the mine has been in a care and maintenance phase only. Therefore both the Education and Health policies needed to be reviewed and adjusted as funds held are low. The WNAC Board approved changes 28 April 2018 to the extent of the scope of cover for both health and education grants. These changes are effective immediately from that date regardless of when the member incurred the expense(s).

If you would like to apply for health or education support please complete and submit the relevant forms below.

There are limited funds available and not all claims can be paid. Each person can make only two claims per year (claims can be aggregated) and the annual benefit is limited to $1,000 per person. There is a lifetime benefit limit of $10,000 per person.

If you would like to apply for assistance you can download the Health Claim form, complete and mail to PO Box 889, The Junction NSW 2291. Original receipts must accompany your claim form.

Under the WNAC Health policy, payment will be considered for a range of treatments and support, these are broadly defined as:

As of May 2018 prescription medicine/pharmaceutical costs are no longer covered.

Payments will only be made in respect of the balance owing after claim on Medicare and private health insurance if applicable. In some circumstances there will be no Medicare support available and a claim for the full expense can be made for consideration. The assessment panel may also consider claims outside of these areas.

Over $300,000 has been paid from the fund to help reimburse medical expenses for Wonnarua People. If you are a member, there may be funds available to assist if you have medical expenses that fit the above criteria. Download the Health Claim Form above and submit it to: PO Box 889, The Junction NSW 2291 to apply.

The Wonnarua Education fund has been set up to assist after all other funding has been exhausted. In the first instance members should explore mainstream funding that is available. Funds are limited and the intention of this funding is to assist members in genuine need. In the event that there are insufficient funds to go around, priority will be given to first time applicants. There is an annual benefit limit of $1000 per person. Certain items claimable are limited at below $1000. Each household/family unit is limited to one computer/laptop. There is a lifetime benefit limit of $5000 per person. Members may lodge an application for their children providing they are under 18 years old.

If you would like to apply for assistance you can download the Education Claim form, complete and mail to PO Box 889, The Junction, NSW 2291. Receipts must accompany your claim form.

Under the WNAC Education Policy payment will be considered for a range of study related costs for primary, secondary, certificate, diploma, graduate, undergraduate, postgraduate or higher degree courses and professional development courses. These are broadly defined as:

In certain circumstances the Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation may be in a position to assist members towards the cost of the purchase of computer hardware up to $750 (excluding iPads). At the present time, members who are currently enrolled in studying at a post secondary school level, and have successfully completed at least one semester of study are eligible to apply for this support. Members with school students from aged eight (8) upwards who are registered with the Nation may access up to $750 to purchase computer hardware (i.e. PC, laptops but excluding iPads). Any monies approved will form part of the members benefit and annual limit. Please refer also to the information required in the education application form.

NOTE: WNAC Members should not purchase computer equipment assuming that the expenditure will automatically be reimbursed, as there are a clear set of conditions that must be met. Where the conditions of the WNAC Education Policy have not been met, reimbursement will not be made. For this reason it is important to apply for funding before any purchases are made.

Payments will only be made on presentation of a valid receipt. In some circumstances the Assessment Committee will consider pre-payment to an approved tutor. In addition reimbursement of half of the approved expenditure at the beginning of the year may be considered with the other half to be paid at the end of the sponsorship year on presentation of a record of final academic results establishing satisfactory completion of subjects studied.

The Education fund has paid out over $95,000 to help WNAC Members who were undertaking study pay for education related expenses. Read the criteria above to see if you are eligible, then download and submit the claim form.

A further Health Fund Policy is available to provide financial assistance to WNAC members in funding funeral costs; noting that there are other resources that can potentially assist Aboriginal families in need including a grant of $1,000 available from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

The Assessment Committee, at its discretion, may:

To apply for the WNAC Funeral Support Grant or the NSW Aboriginal Land Council Funeral Grant, please click on the links below.

As at 28 April 2018 no further funding is available for financial assistance.

The Australian Government has introduced two new programs to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians better manage their health, especially chronic diseases. For more information, open the PDFs.