Boarding Schools and Hostels

In 2022 the Boarding Schools & Hostels portfolio will focus on issues including: 

• lobby for an increase to the LAFHAS and an immediate injection of $4000 to the allowance; and
• increasing awareness for the need for an agricultural state-run boarding school in Qld; and
• ensure that any state allowances are not negatively impacted by the decrease in the CPI as a result of the Covid pandemic. 

Boarding Schools

• There are 50 boarding schools throughout Queensland of which there are 43 actual boarding schools - a list of Queensland boarding facilities can be found here. 
• The biggest issue facing most parents – cost of educating a child/children
• Boarding costs – are they sustainable for rural and remote families? Boarding school fees in 2021 rose by 2% while tuition has risen by 1%.
• AIC and LAFHAS allowances remain unchanged for 2021

In most cases, boarding is a necessity. Boarding and tuition are a package deal. In combination, they generate 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 continues to work with schools, hostels, and other bodies, such as the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), building relationships so that we have a strong voice for members. 

The Boarding Schools/Hostels/Non-State Schools Report 2024 is available for your perusal. 

Resources for Boarding Parents

ICPA Qld highly recommends the book, The Boarding Parents' Handbook by Dr. Kate Hadwen, for all families considering the boarding school journey, families already on the journey, or maybe even for a friend. You can check out the book or purchase a copy here. 

Australian Boarding Schools Association

The Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) promotes the interests and well-being of boarders, boarding staff, boarding parents and boarding institutions in Australia.  ABSA continues to advance the profile of boarding and best practices in boarding facilities, communicating on boarding matters between schools, hostels, educational bodies and governments both in Australia and overseas. 

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