In the remote north of South Australia, between Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta, Katy Hayes’ family faces a difficult decision. With two children aged 11 and seven, they’ve called this station home since 2015. Currently, the property provides their sole income, but without access to affordable education for their growing children, they may be forced to give up the home and work they love and move to the regions.
Their story isn’t unique, but it does highlight the costly challenges rural and remote families endure to educate their children. And at the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association 53rd annual Federal Conference held across 24-25 July in Sydney, it was clear that exploring ways to tackle these issues is key to securing the future of Australia’s agricultural industry and remote regions.
Despite residing in South Australia, their nearest School of the Air is the Alice Springs School of the
Air. As a result, they are ineligible for crucial NT Government Distance Education payments, leaving
them with only the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) payment assistance, which does not cover the costs.
Each term demands ‘In-school’ weeks, requiring their children to travel to Alice Springs for vital in-town
learning and socialisation. The expenses add up – accommodation, fuel, groceries, and lost wages. A
standard In-school week costs the Hayes family $214 more than the AIC payment provides. The financial strain extends outside of ‘in-school’ weeks, to essential classroom supplies, educational aids, and other materials not covered by the AIC. These unaccounted-for expenses can add up to thousands each year.
This family’s commitment to educating their children has come at a personal cost, as mum Katy has
been limited to part-time work on the station. Full-time work would require hiring a governess, adding, at minimum, $25,000 annually to their expenses.
As their eldest child approaches year seven, the burden of boarding school costs looms large. With an
estimated cost of $50,000 per student per year, the current AIC allowance falls significantly short. Their annual out-of-pocket expense would be approximately $38,604 per child.
The figures highlight the financial reality that, for families working the land, boarding school isn’t a luxury for rural families – it’s often the only way to provide secondary education. Without significant scholarships, the Hayes’ family faces the prospect of leaving their station, industry, and community to ensure their children receive an education.
To address the rising costs, and to keep farming families on the farm, ICPA is calling for an increase
in the basic boarding allowance, an additional $4,000 per year, to cover on average, 55 per cent of
boarding fees.
“There are stories like this from farming families across Australia”, ICPA President Louise Martin told EducationDaily.
“We need primary producers to work the land, but unless we support them to raise their families and help their children access quality and affordable education, many of them will have to make tough choices.”
