Queensland Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS)
This page is a direct rule-based guide for AU_QLD_LAFHAS (rule version 2025-26, effective 1 July 2025). It explains the Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme, which helps families whose children must board away to attend school.
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Quick Answer
You may qualify if you live in a remote area and your child must board away from home to attend a state or government-funded school. The questionnaire reaches it when state = QLD, dependent_children = true and child_must_board_away_for_school = true.
It is a banded allowance, not a single fixed payment. Because the amount depends on distance and year level, the rule is recorded as eligibility-only rather than a set dollar figure.
Outcome summary: help with the cost of boarding so a child in a remote area can attend school, with the allowance reapplied for each year.
What Is This Payment?
Families in remote parts of Queensland sometimes have no local school option and must send a child to board away from home. The Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme helps with the cost of doing so.
The rule database tags it as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role. It does not estimate a dollar figure because the allowance is banded by distance and year level.
It supports families whose children must board away to attend a state school or a government-funded non-state school because of where they live, and it must be reapplied for each year.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. There is no single fixed payment in the rule; the value is banded boarding assistance.
- Boarding assistance towards the cost of a child living away from home to attend school.
- Banded by distance and year level, so the amount varies with your situation.
- Reapplied each year the child continues to board away.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition below must pass.
- Queensland:
state = QLD. The family must be in Queensland. - Dependent children:
dependent_children = true. You must have a dependent child. - Must board away for school:
child_must_board_away_for_school = true. The child must need to live away from home to attend a state or government-funded school.
Eligibility centres on geographic isolation that makes boarding away necessary to attend an eligible school, rather than a parent's choice of school.
Because the allowance is reapplied each year, families should renew their application for each year the child continues to board away from home.
How To Apply
The channel recorded for this benefit is online.
- Confirm your child must board away to attend a state or government-funded school.
- Apply online for the Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme.
- Reapply each year the child continues to board away.
Read the official QLD Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme guidance
Rule-Based Scenarios
Scenario 1: secondary school far from home
The Williams family lives on a remote property with no nearby high school, so their son boards away to attend a state secondary school and the family applies for the allowance.
Scenario 2: a government-funded non-state school
Aaliyah boards away to attend a government-funded non-state school because there is no suitable local option, which can meet the scheme's conditions.
Scenario 3: reapplying for the next year
The Costa family applied last year and reapplies for the new school year as their daughter continues to board away.
Scenario 4: boarding by choice
A family living in a regional centre with a local school sends their child to board elsewhere by preference, which is not the same as needing to board away.
Common Mistakes
- Expecting a single fixed amount: the allowance is banded by distance and year level.
- Forgetting to reapply: the scheme must be reapplied for each year.
- Assuming any boarding qualifies: the child must need to board away because of where you live.
- Overlooking government-funded non-state schools: boarding to attend a state or government-funded school can be covered.
- Thinking there is a simple income test alone: eligibility centres on geographic isolation, not just income.
- Leaving the application late: apply in time for the school year so boarding costs are covered.
Related Benefits
- Distance Education ICT Subsidy - computer and internet help for isolated students.
- Textbook and Resource Allowance - help with learning resources for secondary students.
- School Transport Assistance for eligible Queensland students.
- Apprentice Travel and Accommodation Allowance - help with travelling to training.
- Assistance for Isolated Children - federal help for families who cannot access a local school.
- Family Tax Benefit Part A - federal help with the cost of older children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a single fixed payment?
No. The allowance is banded by distance and year level, so it is recorded as eligibility-only rather than a set figure.
What does it help with?
The cost of a child boarding away from home to attend a state or government-funded school.
Who can apply?
Remote Queensland families whose children must board away from home to attend an eligible school because of where they live.
Do I need to reapply each year?
Yes. The scheme must be reapplied for each year the child continues to board away.
Does boarding by choice qualify?
No. The child must need to board away because of geographic isolation, not parental preference alone.
How do I apply?
Apply online for the Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme and reapply each year.
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