Boarding schools

Boarding has a long history in Australia. For families on farms and stations, in remote towns, or moving often for work, it's frequently the only realistic way to access secondary schooling. For others, it's a deliberate choice for a particular program, community or set of opportunities. Whatever the reason, sending a child to live at school is a major decision for the whole family. This guide covers readiness, what to look for in a boarding house, costs and government help, and the contract questions to ask.

Is boarding right for your child?

There's no single right age or personality for boarding. Some children thrive on the independence, friendships and structure. Others find the separation hard, at least at first. Things to think about:

• Independence. Can your child manage their belongings, routines and homework with some support?
• Resilience. How do they cope with change, setbacks and homesickness?
• Social confidence. Boarding means living closely with others. Some children love it; others need more privacy.
• Their own view. A child who wants to board usually settles faster than one who feels sent away.
• Family circumstances. Distance, travel time, cost and how often you can visit or bring them home.

Talk openly with your child. Visit boarding houses together, and if possible arrange a short stay or orientation before committing.

Full, weekly and occasional boarding

Schools offer different arrangements. Full boarding means living at school during term, often with set leave weekends. Weekly boarding means boarding Monday to Friday and going home on weekends. Some schools offer occasional or short-term boarding. Not every school offers every option, and costs differ, so ask.

What to look for in a boarding house

Pastoral care and supervision

This is the most important thing. Ask:

• Who is responsible for boarders, and who is on duty overnight and on weekends?
• What is the ratio of supervising staff to students?
• How are staff selected, trained and screened?
• How are homesickness, conflict and wellbeing concerns handled?
• What medical care is available, and how are parents informed?

Daily life

• What does a typical weekday and weekend look like?
• How is study time organised and supervised?
• What are the rules about phones, internet and screen time?
• What activities and outings are offered on weekends?
• How are meals provided, and how are dietary needs met?

Communication with home

• How and when can students contact family?
• How do boarding staff communicate with parents?
• What are the leave and visiting arrangements?

Facilities

Look at bedrooms, bathrooms, study areas, common rooms and laundry. Are they clean, safe and well maintained? Is there somewhere quiet to study and somewhere to relax? Do younger students share rooms, and how are rooms allocated?

Costs

Boarding is usually charged separately from tuition. The school's fee schedule should show both. On top of these, budget for:

• travel to and from school at the start and end of each term and for leave weekends;
• uniforms and boarding kit, such as bedding and casual clothes;
• pocket money and personal expenses;
• devices, books, excursions and camps;
• medical and other incidental costs.

We don't publish fee figures because they vary widely and change each year. Use our cost planner with the school's published fees and your own estimates of extras to see the multi-year total.

Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme

The Australian Government's Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme, administered by Services Australia, helps eligible families whose children can't attend an appropriate state school daily because of geographical isolation or other set conditions. According to Services Australia, you may be able to get Boarding Allowance if you and your child meet the AIC eligibility rules and your child boards away from home to attend school, whether at a school, a hostel, a private home or other boarding accommodation.

Services Australia lists conditions including the child's age and approved full-time study, and an isolation condition such as geographical isolation, a special education need, or no reasonable access to a suitable state school. Only one parent or guardian can claim. The scheme also includes other payment types, such as for students living in a second family home or studying by distance education.

Rules and rates change, so check the current details with Services Australia. Some state and territory governments also offer assistance for isolated or boarding students, so check with your state education department too.

Contracts and notice

Boarding often comes with its own terms in the enrolment agreement: deposits, notice periods to leave boarding, charges for leave and rules about behaviour. Read them carefully before you sign. The ACCC explains that unfair terms in standard form consumer contracts are prohibited and that, since November 2023, penalties can apply. Our guide to enrolment contracts and notice explains what to look for.

Checking the school

Make sure the school is registered with its state or territory authority. In New South Wales, NESA's list of registered non-government schools is searchable online. Other states have similar registers. Some states also regulate boarding facilities or have specific standards for them, so ask the school how its boarding is overseen.

Helping your child settle

• Visit together before the start of term and meet boarding staff.
• Pack familiar items: photos, a favourite blanket, small reminders of home.
• Agree on a contact routine that's regular but not overwhelming.
• Expect some homesickness, especially early on, and talk to boarding staff if it persists.
• Stay in touch with the school about how your child is going, not just academically.

Questions to ask current boarding families

Current boarders and their parents can tell you things no brochure will. If the school can put you in touch with boarding families, ask:

• How did your child settle in the first term, and what helped?
• How responsive are boarding staff when you have a concern?
• What do boarders do on weekends, and do many stay in?
• How is homesickness handled?
• What costs did you not expect?
• How easy is travel home for leave weekends and holidays?

Listen for patterns rather than single stories, and remember every child's experience is different.

Staying connected from a distance

Distance can make parents feel out of the loop. Agree with boarding staff how they'll keep you informed, and how you can raise concerns between formal reports. Learn the names of the key people: the head of boarding, the house staff and the school nurse or health centre. Keep calls with your child regular and predictable, but let them have space to build their own routines and friendships.

When boarding isn't working

Some children never settle, despite everyone's efforts. If your child is still very unhappy after a reasonable period, talk openly with boarding staff and your child about options. These might include extra support, a change to weekly boarding, or a different arrangement altogether. Before making changes, check the notice period for leaving boarding in your enrolment agreement, which may differ from the notice period for leaving the school.

Key points

• Boarding suits some children better than others; consider readiness and your child's own view.
• Pastoral care and supervision are the most important things to check.
• Boarding fees are usually on top of tuition, with travel and personal costs extra.
• The Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme may help eligible families; check Services Australia.
• Read boarding-specific contract terms and notice periods before signing.