Apply for a Living Away from Home Allowance (for secondary students)

Introduction

If a child in your care must board away from home to access secondary education (Years 7 to 12), you may be eligible for the Living Away from Home Allowance.

To be eligible for the allowance, you will need to meet some pre-conditions related to:

• family income
• distance from a secondary school (public or preferred religion)

Other circumstances taken into consideration include:

• medical conditions
• impassable roads
• inability to provide adequate supervision outside school hours
• a change of residence when the student is in Year 12.
   

Eligibility

Your child must:

• be living away from your usual NSW home address
• have a primary carer who is a permanent resident of NSW
• be enrolled at a government secondary school (Years 7 to 12) or non-government secondary school of preferred religion.

What you need

• student's details
• parent's or carer's details
• family income information
• copies of tax assessment documents and/or Centrelink statements for the Adjusted family income calculation
• other supporting documents (where applicable)
• signature of the principal of the school the student is attending.

How to apply

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Download and complete the form:
   • Living Away From Home Allowance information and application – PDF
3. Check the School principal's certification page has been signed.
4. Submit your application and supporting documentation by post or email, to the details on the form.

More information

• You must send in applications before 30 September of the year you are applying for the allowance.
• The allowance starts at the beginning of the year you put in the application. You get paid yearly in two equal instalments.
• For help with completing the form, call Rural and Distance Education on (02) 6334 8070 or (02) 6334 8072.
• Learn about allowances and scholarships for rural students at Rural and Distance Education.