Federal Current Issues
12th October, 2019
ICPA (Aust) Briefing Papers
These up to date Briefing Papers provides an outline of the current areas that ICPA (Aust) is advocating for on behalf of our members across Australia.
Briefing Papers October 2019
24th October, 2019
The Isolated Children’s Parent’s Association of Australia, ICPA (Aust), is calling on the Federal Government to introduce a Rural Hardship Education Fund addressing the grave concerns of the many families in drought-stricken areas who are struggling to afford to educate their children, and ensure rural and remote students’ education continues unchanged in times of drought and other rural hardship whether they are boarding away from home, attending a local rural school/kindergarten or studying via distance education.
Rural Hardship Education Fund October 2019
19th October, 2019
Allowance - Access to Compulsory Education Briefing Paper October 2019
Since 1973, successive Australian Governments have provided financial support through the Assistance for Isolated Children’s (AIC) allowance to families with children who do not have reasonable daily face-to-face access to an appropriate government school. Much has changed since the AIC Scheme was first introduced; the duration of compulsory education has increased and accessing regional term hostels has decreased due to continual closures.
Allowances are broken into the following catergories:
- Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Allowance - Distance Education, Boarding and Second Home
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AIC Criteria Extension
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AIC Applications
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Fringe Benefits Tax
Allowances Briefing Paper October 2019
19th October, 2019
Communications Briefing Paper October 2019
ICPA (Aust) has more than forty years’ experience of advocating for educational issues on behalf of families living in rural and remote Australia. Our organisation is well positioned to contribute to the discussion on rural communications from a user’s point of view.
Communications Briefing Paper October 2019
19th October, 2019
Distance Education Briefing Paper October 2019
For many geographically isolated young people living in remote regions, the only access to education is by distance education. While distance education services are well structured and distance education centres ably staffed, it is clear that distance education provision is founded on the assumption that all children have ready access to a person able to teach the program in the geographically isolated classroom.
ICPA requests that the Federal Government introduce a Distance Education Teaching Allowance in financial recognition of the essential work distance education tutors perform.
Distance Education Briefing Paper October 2019
19th October, 2019
Early Childhood Briefing Paper October 2019
The issue of accessing affordable early childhood learning and care for families living in rural and remote regions has never been more concerning and is proving beyond the reach of many.
Early childhood issues are broken into the following headings:
- Extension to the AIC Allowance for 3-4-year-olds
- More facilities for preschool education in rural and remote communities
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In Home Care
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Mobile Early Childhood Services in Rural and Remote Areas
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Working Holiday Maker Visas and the Shortage of Distance Education Tutors and Nannies in Rural and Remote Australia
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Working with Children Check
Early Childhood Briefing Paper October 2019
19th October, 2019
Rural Schools Briefing Paper October 2019
ICPA (Aust) requests a renewed focus and priority in providing access to chaplaincy support services at our nation’s most remote or very isolated areas.
Rural Schools Briefing Paper October 2019
19th October, 2019
School Travel Briefing Paper October 2019
Due to geographic isolation rural and remote students are impacted greatly by travel restrictions whether that be by air or road.
School Travel Briefing Paper October 2019
19th October, 2019
Specific Education Needs Briefing Paper October 2019
Children with specific education needs require access to educational opportunities appropriate and specific to their learning requirements.
Issues regarding Specific Education Needs are come under the following headings:
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Provision of Medicare Rebate for Telehealth Services
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Improved Staff Training for Teachers in Rural and Remote Locations
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Workshops for rural and remote parents of gifted students
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Early identification and intervention for learning difficulties
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Provision of Additional Resources to Boarding Schools for Students with Disability
Specific Education Needs Briefing Paper October 2019
19th October, 2019
Tertiary Briefing Paper October 2019
Engaging in tertiary education should be an option for all Australian students regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location. The ability to access an equitable education is one of the key considerations in determining whether a rural and remote student can choose this expensive, restricted pathway. Geographically isolated students continue to be under-represented in tertiary education.
ICPA requests that the Federal Government introduce a Tertiary Access Allowance as financial assistance to rural and remote students who must live away from home to access tertiary education.
Students isolated from tertiary education due to location, must be recognised as a separate disadvantaged group when assessing for Youth Allowance to address the distinctly unique requirements of rural and remote students.
Tertiary Briefing Paper October 2019
19th October, 2019
Training Briefing Paper October 2019
ICPA (Aust) requests the Government to broaden the Relocation Scholarship criteria to include vocational education and training courses.
ICPA (Aust) requests the Government to consider rural and remote students who are completing an apprenticeship or traineeship by increasing the Living Away from Home Allowance (LAFHA) for Australian Apprentices.