A 42: Western Australia State Council

Tertiary Education
Motion:

That ICPA (Aust) requests the Federal Government review the criteria for the Relocation Scholarship to ensure all geographically isolated students who must relocate from their usual place of residence for the purpose of undertaking post-compulsory studies are eligible.

Explanation:

In the primary school years assistance for access to education is offered through the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Distance Education Allowance and a conveyance allowance to access a school bus service or drive directly to school. In the secondary years, the AIC – Boarding and Second Home Allowances assist with the significant financial cost incurred when children are living away from their primary residence to access education. Yet, for many of these families when their children commence tertiary studies there is no assistance unless the child qualifies for Youth Allowance, which is very few.

It is recognised across all levels of government that geographically isolated children face barriers in accessing an appropriate education, and to overcome these barriers involves significant financial contribution. But when it comes to post-compulsory tertiary education our children are not sufficiently catered for.

Having incurred the initial cost of relocating the ongoing costs associated with living away from home can become unmanageable for many families. Rental properties in Western Australia are at a premium and it is extremely difficult to find any shared accommodation below $250 per week plus utilities. This equates to $13,000+ per annum urban-based students do not have to fund. Students often seek employment to supplement the cost of living, which can become difficult to navigate with university timetabling, and as a result of the financial burden many rural and remote students fail to complete their studies.

The requirement for a student to be receiving Youth Allowance to access the Relocation Scholarship is disadvantaging rural and remote students.

For many geographically isolated students the barrier in accessing Youth Allowance and hence relocation scholarships, along with other such scholarships, is impacted by being able to provide evidence of financial need. Children do not have a choice where their parents live and yet they are continually being disadvantaged because of this. Urban children do not need to find accommodation and other associated costs to attend university, but it is a necessary cost for geographically isolated families. Evidence of being geographically isolated should be sufficient, for example, qualifying for receipt of the AIC should also be deemed a component of the qualifying eligibility criteria.

Ineligibility for Youth Allowance is a major barrier in accessing a range of financial supports for geographically isolated families who face financial barriers that their urban counterparts do not.

Withdrawn