- $4,000 boost to Remote Area Tuition Allowance
- Cost of living relief for Queensland families
- Isolated Children's Parents' Association welcomes move
Families of students from some of Queensland's most isolated regions will receive an extra $4,000 from 2024 to assist with the cost of their education.
Announced at the Isolated Children's Parents' Association Queensland State Conference in Julia Creek today, families will see a $4,000 increase to the additional allowance component of the Remote Area Tuition Allowance (RATuA) in the 2024 school year.
The boost responds directly to cost of living pressures facing geographically isolated Queensland families by helping with the costs of children required to live away from home to attend school.
Part of the Living Away from Home Allowance Scheme (LAFHAS), each year approximately 1,400 students access financial support under the RATuA program.
Quotes attributable to Education Minister Grace Grace:
"The Palaszczuk Government has listened and responded to the ICPA's position on cost-of-living pressures faced by families of remote students.
"We recognise the incredibly important role people living in rural and remote Queensland play in the life of our state, and the challenges of raising and educating children in these areas.
"That's why we've listened, and we've acted.
"The Palaszczuk Government thanks the Isolated Children's Parent's Association for their submission which was instrumental in bringing about this significant increase."
Quotes attributable to ICPA President Louise Martin:
"ICPA Queensland thank the Minister for Education and the Queensland Government for hearing the united voices of rural and remote families and recognising their needs and acting upon our request.
"This is a game changer for rural and remote families and this $4000 increase to the LAFHAS gives rural families genuine choices."
