Boarding / Hostels / Second Home Portfolio

For many families throughout rural and remote Australia, the education of their children at a local state school is not an option.  The decision to send their child to boarding school is a difficult one and not the best fit for all. Some families may choose to send their children to public schools with a private/hostel board or even set up a second home.

ICPA has long campaigned for affordable access to an equitable education and the Boarding/Hostel/Second Home portfolio encompasses that. The disparity between the Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme (AIC) Boarding Allowance and the actual cost of boarding children away from home or setting up a second home for their schooling continues to grow. This growing gap is impacting on the effectiveness of the allowance to 'help the families of students who are unable to attend an appropriate state school on a daily basis, mainly because of geographic isolation'.

WHATS GOOD TO KNOW & ACHEIVEMENTS

• Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) is a great resource to refer to at anytime with a huge amount of information on their website.
• There are 12 Boarding Schools in Adelaide, 1 in Port Pirie and 3 Public Boarding Hostels across the state, Lucindale, Cleve and Burra
• Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) payments can cover; Basic Boarding Allowance, Second Home Allowance, Distance Education Allowance. 2024 AIC Rates.
• State Education Allowance (SEA) Additional Boarding Allowance. Families in receipt of AIC Basic Boarding Allowance and Second Home Allowance can apply.
• Remote Travel Allowance (RTA) is an extra component of the SEA allowance. In 2024 this allowance will double from $250 to $500
• The Australian Boarder Parent Handbook - ICPA proudly endorses The Australian Boarder Parent Handbook.  This book is essential for all those new to boarding as it covers everything that will crop up throughout this journey. 
• We provide a template letter to aid families when times are tough (draught/natural disaster), to send to schools regarding capacity to meet financial obligations.
• Dolly's Dream Website – is full of resources around bullying, anxiety, and depression.  Dolly’s Dream is committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression and youth suicide, through education and direct support to young people and families.  

WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON

• Advocating for increases to the AIC Basic Boarding and Second Home Allowances to counteract the widening gap between the AIC allowances and the rising costs of boarding to better reflect the high costs associated with sending children to boarding school when no suitable alternatives exist
• Advocating for the Second Home Allowance to be increased in line with the Basic Boarding Allowance to better reflect the high costs associated with setting up and maintaining a Second Home to compulsorily educate children where no suitable alternatives exist 
• Increasing the State Education Allowance (SEA)
• AIC online application/renewal system
• Providing mental health resources in all boarding schools
• Communication with Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) for connections and understanding.
• Having ongoing conversations around past Covid-19 restrictions within boarding schools and interstate travel implications to ensure rural and remote families and boarding students are at the forefront of decision making should a similar pandemic occur.