Boarding Schools / Hostels / Non-State Schools

In 2025 the Boarding Schools & Hostels portfolio will focus on issues including: 

• Actively participating in the Boarding School Standards Working Group as part of the Non-State Schools Accreditation Framework Review.
• Advocating for an increase to the Living Away from Home Allowance Scheme (LAFHAS) to support families managing the costs of boarding for rural and remote students.
• Increasing awareness for a dedicated immersive agricultural state-run co-educational boarding school in Qld to align with other states in Australia.
• Access to boarding for a diverse range of students.

Boarding Schools

• There are 49 boarding schools in the Non-State School sector in Queensland, which play a crucial role in providing education for rural and remote students.
• Outside of the 49 boarding schools, there are three state-run boarding facilities; six student hostels (listed below), and two facilities for First Nation students.
• A list of Queensland boarding facilities can be found here. 
• The biggest issue facing most parents is the cost of educating a child/children.

In most cases, boarding is a necessity due to 12 shires/regions in Queensland not having Secondary Schools. Boarding and tuition are a package deal generating a spiraling cost, for families, over many years that must be met to enable rural and remote children access to equal educational opportunities.

Hostels

There are six School Term Hostels throughout Queensland providing residential accommodation for geographically isolated children.

• Bollon
• Clermont
• Georgetown
• Chinchilla
• Roma
• Thursday Island

At the end of 2019, the Qld Government closed the Agricultural colleges.

Tech-NQ is the only independent registered training organisation (RTO) delivering nationally accredited qualifications through the provision of full-time apprentice training, VET in Schools programs, short courses and training, as well as being an accredited senior school and boarding school for Years 10-12 students.  

ICPA Qld liaises with schools, hostels and governing bodies. 

• Lutheran Education Australia
• PMSA – Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association
• Qld Catholic Education Commission (QCEC)
• Anglican Schools Commission
• Christian Community Ministries (CCM)

ICPA Qld works alongside other relevant organisations building relationships so that we have a strong voice for members. 

• Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA)
• Boarding Training Australia
• Independent Schools QLD (ISQ)
• QISPN

The Boarding Schools/Hostels/Non-State Schools Report 2025 is available for your perusal. View the Boarding Schools/Hostels/ Non-State Schools Policy. 

Federal ICPA also has information on boarding/hostels and can be found here.  

Agricultural High School Proposal 

ICPA Qld seeks endorsement from the Queensland Government for the establishment of a dedicated, immersive, co-educational Agricultural Boarding School for Years 7-12 in Queensland. To read the proposal click here. 

Resources for Boarding Parents

Australian Boarding Schools Directory | Boarding Expo