That ICPA (Aust) advocates to the Australian Government for a comprehensive review and reform of all allowances under the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme, ensuring that each component is indexed and maintained at a level that reflects the original intent and level of financial support established when the scheme was introduced.
The Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme was introduced in 1973 to assist geographically isolated families in accessing education, with support originally intended to cover approximately 55% of the average boarding school fee. Over time, boarding, travel and education-related costs have increased significantly, while AIC allowances have not kept pace. As a result, the level of assistance provided today no longer reflects the scheme’s original purpose or the financial support intended when it was established.
It is essential that the Australian Department of Education formally recognises students from rural, remote and geographically isolated areas as a distinct priority cohort within Australia’s National Education Strategy. The Department currently identifies and supports specific groups through dedicated focus areas, including Indigenous education, students with disability, international education and mainstream schooling initiatives. However, students who rely on the AIC Scheme due to geographical isolation do not receive the same level of recognition despite facing unique and ongoing barriers to educational access. A comprehensive review of the AIC Scheme is needed to ensure all allowances accurately reflect contemporary costs and continue to provide equitable access to education for children living in rural, remote and isolated areas of Australia.
