Schools - Students & Staffing

ICPA Qld under the Portfolio of Schools (Students & Staffing), advocates to ensure the continuity of delivery of quality educational services to students in rural and remote schools and access to a broad range of subjects and school experiences to cater for the varying needs of isolated students.

The Schools (Staffing & Students) Portfolio is focused on addressing key issues including:

• Student to teacher ratios in rural and remote schools. 
• Ensuring adequate funding for rural and remote schools. 
• Recognising that the needs of rural and remote schools differ to other areas.

What ICPA Qld does for your Schools (Staffing & Students)

• Works with universities to promote rural and remote positions and promote the ICPA branches who offer incentives to pre-service teachers who undertake a rural practicum. Pre service Teacher Incentives 2026
• Provides submissions to relevant groups to ensure rural and remote education remains a key consideration in legislative or program change.
• Advocate to the Department of Transport and Translink regarding maintaining rural bus routes, reviewing conveyance allowances and student fares. Learn more about Travel advocacy and priorities.
• Works with TAFE Qld and DoE to ensure flexibility for students who are accessing VET in our small secondary schools. Learn more about the Tertiary, Trade & Training portfolio and current priorities.
• Are members of the Joint Parent Council. ICPA Qld works closely with P & C’s Qld, Catholic School Parents Queensland and the Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network, to provide the power of a united voice behind critical issues which affect the education of all children across Queensland. 
• Advocates to the DoE on issues including, but not limited to:
  • decrease the student:teacher ratio in small schools. 
  • improve the attraction and retention of quality teachers to small schools by lobbying for incentives and increased packages for rural and remote teachers and staff.
  • lowering the allocation requirement of students from 21 to 16 for small schools to have 2 full time teachers. 
  • ensure small schools with teaching principals are resourced with the required levels of administrative support to ensure administration tasks do not negatively impact teaching and learning time within the classroom.
  • the Australian Curriculum content and delivery within our classrooms and the access to extracurricular activities within our regions. Learn more about Curriculum advocacy and priorities.

The Schools Staffing and Students Report 2026 is available for your perusal.  View the Schools - Staffing and Students Policy 2026 - 2027. 

Rural and Remote Education Access Program (RREAP)

RREAP funds are used to assist with the additional costs associated with enhancing the educational opportunities of students who are geographically isolated so that students' learning outcomes match those of other students. 

The RREAP procedure and Ideas for RREAP provide further information and guidance.

Queensland Children’s Hospital School

The Queensland Children’s Hospital School (QCHS) offers world class educational programs to hospitalised patients across Queensland to ensure educational continuity for all. This Queensland Children’s Hospital School, in partnership with regional hospital programs, is leading excellence in hospital teaching and learning through innovative and inclusive practices.

Campuses are located at:

• Queensland Children’s Hospital (South Brisbane)
• Mater Health Services Building (South Brisbane)
• Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Herston)
• Jacaranda Place (Chermside) and
• Act for kids Pre-Prep (Wooloowin)

ICPA Qld appoint a representative to sit on the Hospital Schooling Advisory Council. Mrs. Wendy Henning attends quarterly meetings in Brisbane as part of this representation. ICPA Qld appreciates the opportunity to monitor educational opportunities for children in Hospital Schools, particularly from rural and remote Queensland.