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, 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.
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.
To apply, you will need to download and complete the Living Away From Home Allowance information and application – PDF 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.
Last updated: 8 January 2025