“That ICPA Qld continues to strongly advocate to the Department of Education (DoE) and relevant State Ministers for the expansion of the Living Away from Home Allowance Scheme (LAFHAS) eligibility, within the current Bypass Procedure review, to include Year 10 students in P–10 schools not classified as bypass schools.”
Springsure Rolleston Branch acknowledges and thanks ICPA Qld for its ongoing advocacy and involvement in the Bypass Procedure review, including progressing this matter as part of the broader consultation process.
With Year 10 now forming part of senior schooling, it plays a critical role in subject selection and establishing pathways into Years 11 and 12. Many P–10 schools are unable to offer the prerequisite subjects required for senior studies, effectively limiting students’ future education and career opportunities if they remain at their local school.
Families who choose to relocate or send their children away in Year 10 to access appropriate subjects face significant financial barriers, as LAFHAS support is currently unavailable unless the school is classified as a bypass school. This creates inequity, where students’ access to appropriate education pathways is determined by financial capacity rather than academic ability or need.
The current review process presents a timely opportunity to address this gap. Expanding LAFHAS eligibility to include Year 10 students in non-bypass P–10 schools would provide fairer access to education, reduce financial stress on families, and ensure students are not disadvantaged at a critical transition point in their schooling.
