A Start in Life is an Australian registered charity founded in Sydney in 1923 that provides financial assistance and educational support to young Australians experiencing financial disadvantage. The charity supports students aged 4 to 24 in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, from their first year of school through to the completion of university or TAFE study. Since its founding, A Start in Life has supported more than 7,000 students.
The charity holds Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR1) status, meaning donations of two dollars or more are fully tax deductible for Australian taxpayers. A Start in Life receives no government funding and is supported entirely by the Australian community â through individual donors, corporate partners, philanthropic foundations, trusts, workplace giving programmes, and gifts in wills.
A Start in Life is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) under ABN 21 871 881 074 and is exempt from Income Tax and Fringe Benefits Tax.
A Start in Life was founded in 1923 by William Thompson (New South Wales politician), a New South Wales politician and Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales. Following the death of his son on the Western Front during the First World War, Thompson was moved by the number of children left orphaned by the conflict. In 1922 he established the William Thompson Masonic School at Baulkham Hills, providing care and education for children who had lost parents to the war. The following year, in 1923, he founded the charity under its original name, The NSW Masonic Schools Welfare Fund, to extend that support more broadly to the children of affected Masonic families.
As government welfare expanded and social needs evolved over the following decades, the charity broadened its scope. In 1972, the constitution was formally amended to extend educational support to any young Australian experiencing financial hardship, regardless of race, religion, Masonic affiliation, or any other background. The charity adopted its current name, A Start in Life, at this time.
Over more than 100 years of continuous operation, A Start in Life has remained an independent, privately funded charity, receiving no government funding throughout its history.
A Start in Life's mission is to assist students without life's necessities to seek a brighter future through education. The charity operates on the belief that financial hardship should not determine a young person's educational outcomes, and that targeted, personalised support at the right moment can break intergenerational cycles of disadvantage.
Students supported by A Start in Life are living below the poverty line, typically with limited or no family assets. Financial hardship is often compounded by additional indicators of social disadvantage, including poor health, housing instability, family breakdown, geographic remoteness, and social isolation. Without support, these pressures place students at significant risk of underperformance, disengagement, and early departure from education.
As a small charity, A Start in Life maintains a direct, ongoing relationship with every student it supports. Support is individually tailored, regularly reviewed, and extends beyond financial assistance to encompass engagement, self-esteem, resilience, social connection, and long-term vocational ambition.
To be eligible for assistance, students must meet the following criteria:
Students and families are most commonly referred to A Start in Life by their school or educational institution. Referrals are also received from welfare agencies, including the Department of Communities and Justice (New South Wales), psychologists, healthcare providers, and other community organisations. Self-referrals from students and families are welcomed and encouraged. Professionals including teachers, school counsellors, social workers, and psychologists may refer students directly through the charity's website.
All applications are assessed against the charity's eligibility criteria and reviewed regularly to ensure ongoing need.
A Start in Life delivers support through three structured programmes, each designed for a specific stage of a student's educational journey. All programmes are delivered in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Learning for Success supports primary and secondary students facing financial barriers to education. Each student receives up to $1,200 per year to assist with education essentials, including school fees, uniforms, textbooks, stationery, IT equipment, and internet access. Additional support is available for tutoring, camps and excursions, extracurricular activities, medical and dental needs, and living expenses where required.
Each student receives an individualised support plan and tailored learning goals, developed in partnership with the charity's Student Assistance Team, parents or carers, and educators. A maximum of two students per family may participate in the programme at any given time.
The Career and Skills Development Scholarship supports students in Years 9 and 10 who are committed to broadening their educational and career horizons. The scholarship runs for up to two years and provides each student with up to $1,000 per year toward costs linked to education and career goals, including short courses, equipment, and travel.
In addition to financial assistance, the scholarship provides access to workshops, coaching, industry visits, work experience, and career sampling activities, conducted both online and in person depending on location and availability.
The Tertiary Program supports students enrolled at university or TAFE in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory who are experiencing financial barriers to the completion of their studies. Students may remain in the programme for up to four years while meeting eligibility criteria.
Financial assistance totals $3,600 per year, paid quarterly directly into each student's bank account, covering educational and living expenses including textbooks, internet, accommodation, utilities, and transport. Additional support includes:
The programme is delivered entirely online, with quarterly check-ins conducted via video call or email, allowing students in regional and remote areas to participate without the need to travel.
Across all programmes, the charity's Student Assistance Team maintains regular contact with every student it supports, with a focus on improving academic outcomes, developing study and organisational skills, building confidence and resilience, strengthening social networks, and encouraging long-term professional ambitions.
A Start in Life engages with businesses, professional organisations, and community groups through several structured channels. Corporate and community support is a significant component of the charity's funding model, given that the charity receives no government funding.
Businesses and organisations may partner with A Start in Life through sponsorships, joint programmes, or shared campaigns. Partnerships are tailored to the objectives of the partner organisation and may include support for specific student cohorts, educational resources, or programme delivery. Organisations that have partnered with A Start in Life include Australian Catholic University, the University of Sydney Business School, Western Sydney University, Torrens University Australia, and the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers.
Supporters wishing to make a transformative contribution may become Foundation Sponsors. A commitment of $20,000 or more per year enables the funding of specific programmes and initiatives, including scholarships, mentoring, learning resources, and tailored student support services.
A Start in Life participates in workplace giving programmes, which allow employees to make regular donations directly from their pre-tax salary. Donations made through workplace giving are tax-effective for employees and can be established, changed, or cancelled at any time. Employers wishing to set up workplace giving for their staff may contact the charity directly.
Industry professionals and organisations may contribute expertise through one-on-one mentoring, industry excursions, and career sampling activities for students. Professional volunteers work alongside the charity's Student Assistance Team to help students explore career pathways, build confidence, and develop practical skills relevant to contemporary workplaces.
A Start in Life is governed by an independent board of directors. The charity's operations and student support programmes are funded entirely by philanthropic contributions, including individual giving, major donations, corporate partnerships, foundation sponsorships, workplace giving, community fundraising, and gifts in wills.