“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Department of Education (DoE) and the State Government to review and increase the Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS), ensuring it provides ongoing, sustainable and practical financial support that is indexed and reflective of real cost-of-living increases so that rural and remote students can access affordable and equitable educational opportunities.”
The Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS) is essential in supporting rural and remote families who must send their children away to access secondary education. For many, this is a necessity due to distance and limited local schooling options.
The current rate no longer reflects the real cost of living. Families are experiencing rising expenses across all areas, including food, accommodation, uniforms, technology, and travel. These costs are further compounded by the need for frequent and often expensive travel between home and school. As a result, the gap between the allowance and the actual cost of educating a child away from home continues to widen. This places significant financial pressure on rural and remote families, many of whom are also managing variable incomes and environmental challenges.
A review and increase of LAFHAS, with appropriate indexation, is necessary to ensure equitable access to education for rural and remote students.
