At what age do children usually start boarding?

Most boarders start at secondary school, often in Year 7, though some schools take boarders in the later primary years and some students start in Year 9 or Year 10. Ask each school which year levels it takes boarders in.

Is there government help with boarding costs?

Families whose children cannot attend a suitable government school daily because of distance may be eligible for the Assistance for Isolated Children scheme, including a boarding allowance. ABSTUDY can help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Services Australia sets the eligibility rules and current rates.

Are there government boarding schools?

Yes, in some states. A few government schools and residential colleges offer boarding, particularly for students from rural and remote areas, such as agricultural high schools. Most boarding places, though, are at Catholic and independent schools.

How do boarding schools look after students' wellbeing?

Boarding houses have residential staff on duty around the clock, access to health care, and routines for study, meals and activities. Ask each school how it supports homesick students, how it trains and screens staff, and how it keeps families informed.

Boarding schools in Australia explained

Boarding schools look after students who live at school during the term. In Australia, many boarders come from rural and remote areas where there is no secondary school within reach; others board for a particular program, or because it suits their family. Most boarding schools are Catholic or independent, and some government schools and residential colleges offer boarding too.

How boarding works

Full boarding: students live at school during the term and go home for the holidays, and sometimes on weekends.
Weekly boarding: students go home every weekend.
Occasional or short-stay boarding: offered by some schools for a few nights at a time.
Boarding houses are run by a head of boarding and residential staff, with supervised study, meals, activities and health care.

Questions to ask a boarding school

How many boarders are there, and from what kinds of places? Will my child be one of many, or one of a few?
Who looks after boarders in the evenings and at weekends, and how are staff trained and checked?
What happens when a student is unwell, homesick or struggling?
How do boarders keep in touch with family, and how often can they go home?
What are weekends like, and what is included in the boarding fee?
How are boarders supported with study, and with travel to and from school?

Costs

Boarding fees are charged on top of school fees at non-government schools, and they can be substantial. Ask each school for the full cost, including travel, uniforms, and any charges for weekend activities. Many boarding schools offer scholarships and bursaries, some specifically for rural students.

Government help with boarding

The Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) scheme, paid through Services Australia, helps families whose children cannot get to a suitable government school each day because of distance or other reasons, including through a boarding allowance. Some parts are means-tested and some are not. Services Australia sets out who can get AIC (opens in a new tab) and the current rates.

ABSTUDY helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the costs of education, and can include help with boarding and travel for students who need to study away from home. Some states also offer their own boarding allowances; check with your state education department.

Is boarding right for your child?

Boarding suits children who are independent, sociable and ready to manage more of their own day. Talk honestly with your child, visit the boarding house (not only the school), and ask to speak with current boarding families. Many schools offer a trial stay. You can find private schools near you and enquire about boarding places directly.

Common questions

At what age do children usually start boarding?: Most boarders start at secondary school, often in Year 7, though some schools take boarders in the later primary years and some students start in Year 9 or Year 10. Ask each school which year levels it takes boarders in.
Is there government help with boarding costs?: Families whose children cannot attend a suitable government school daily because of distance may be eligible for the Assistance for Isolated Children scheme, including a boarding allowance. ABSTUDY can help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Services Australia sets the eligibility rules and current rates.
Are there government boarding schools?: Yes, in some states. A few government schools and residential colleges offer boarding, particularly for students from rural and remote areas, such as agricultural high schools. Most boarding places, though, are at Catholic and independent schools.
How do boarding schools look after students' wellbeing?: Boarding houses have residential staff on duty around the clock, access to health care, and routines for study, meals and activities. Ask each school how it supports homesick students, how it trains and screens staff, and how it keeps families informed.

Sources

We check guides against official sources. Rules can change, and some details vary by area, so check with the source before you act.

Last updated 1 November 2026.