30 October 2025, Canberra, ACT: The Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) Australia will travel to Canberra next week, to once again demand action on long-standing education inequities that continue to disadvantage rural and remote students.
Representatives from ICPA Australia’s Federal Council will meet with members of Parliament and departmental officials, including the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Pauline Hanson, the Hon David Littleproud MP, to press for urgent reform of support measures that have failed to keep pace with the realities of regional life.
ICPA Australia Federal President Louise Martin said families are “fed up waiting for fairness” after years of inaction on critical issues such as the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Allowance, Youth Allowance eligibility and support for Distance Education supervisors.
“For decades, rural and remote families have shouldered the cost of delivering education the Government promises should be free,” Mrs Martin said.
“Every year, our members pay tens of thousands of dollars just to give their children the same opportunity to learn as their city peers. Yet the system that is meant to support them, continues to erode, ignored by those who could fix it with the stroke of a pen.”
“We’re not here to play politics. We’re here because the system isn’t working. The inequity has become so entrenched that families are being forced to make heartbreaking decisions about their futures. When access to education becomes a postcode lottery, something is very wrong.”
ICPA’s key priorities for this delegation to Canberra include:
- Restoring the AIC Basic Boarding Allowance to its original intent of covering 55% of boarding school fees and linking it to the CPI Education Sub-Index.
- Financial recognition for Distance Education supervisors in geographically isolated locations, who currently perform a mandatory, unpaid teaching role to ensure isolated children can access schooling.
- Reforming Youth Allowance eligibility to reflect the true cost of relocation for rural and remote students, including raising the parental income threshold, removing the Liquid Assets Waiting Period, and granting automatic independent status for geographically isolated students.
- Amending In-Home Care rules to reflect the realities of remote life, enabling educators to care for multiple families and their own children while addressing critical workforce shortages.
Mrs Martin said that while the Government has the means to make change, it appears to lack urgency.
“This isn’t about handouts, it’s about fairness. When a government can’t guarantee equal access to education for children based on where they live, that’s not a budget issue, that’s a values issue.”
“Our members aren’t asking for special treatment, they’re asking for the same opportunities every other Australian family takes for granted. It’s time for meaningful reform, not more reviews.”
ICPA remains a non-partisan organisation, representing families from all walks of life, united by one belief, that every child, regardless of location, deserves equal access to education.
Media Call Details:
The ICPA’s Federal Council will be in Canberra and available for interviews on 5th November 2025. Please contact the media representative below to arrange interviews and photo opportunities during the delegation (3-7 November).
For further information and comment, please contact:
Ellen McIver 0414 137 686
C7EVEN Communications ellen.mciver@c7even.com.au
