ICPA WA is calling on the WA Department of Education to increase the WA Boarding Away from Home Allowance (BAHA) to $5000 every student per annum. This is to not only address the rising cost of sending children away for their secondary education, but to bring WA up to speed with other State allowances.
ICPA WA Vice President Jasmyn Allen spoke on Country Hour about the need for an increase in the allowance.
Below is a snapshot from ICPA WA's Allowance Portfolio Overview for 2026, showcasing what each state currently offers boarding families:
State/Territory State Scheme / Contribution Funding level 2026
WA Boarding Away From Home Allowance (BAHA) - $1461
QLD Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) & Remote Area Tuition Allowance (RATuA) - $10,891
NSW Living Away From Home Allowance (7 -10) - Extra $593 in yr 11 and 12 $2,580
SA State Education Allowance; SEA - $5,105.98
NT Interstate Boarding Allowance (ISEA) - $4700
TAS Student Accommodation Allowance (SAA) - $1472
VIC - No known specific statewide boarding allowance
ACT - No known specific statewide boarding allowance
For more information on the BAHA, the full document can be accessed via https://icpa.com.au/wa/allowances-portfolio-reports
ICPA member and Murchison Pastoralist Claire Mahony also spoke to ABC’s WA Regional Mornings about what a BAHA increase would mean for her family. You can listen back to these interviews and read Farm Weekly's article on the topic here:
