As costs rise across the board, parents of some of the state's most isolated students say support needs to increase to make a good education more accessible.
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They are calling for increases to both the state education allowance and the car allowance component of the student travelling allowance scheme.
Isolated Children's and Parents' Association Flinders Ranges branch representative Sonya Fels raised a motion at the state conference late last week on the cost of living pressures and the impact it was having on rural and remote families.
Ms Fels asked SA ICPA to write to the Minister for Education, Training and Skills to request an increase in the State Education Allowance because of the rising cost of living pressures, exacerbated by the distance rural and remote families faced.
ICPA Flinders Ranges branch representative Mija Reynolds seconded the motion with comparisons of cost of living increases.
She said in the 12 months to December 2022 quarter, inflation/cost of living rose by 7.8pc - the highest it has been since 1990.
"The cost of day-to-day necessities including food, electricity, and fuel have increased in line with inflation," she said.
"For people who live rurally, the price of these commodities is generally higher the further you live from metropolitan/built up areas before inflation is factored into it.
"Having no alternative but to send your child away to boarding school for their secondary education, or to set up a second home to educate your children, families are having to pay high out of pocket expenses to ensure their children receive a compulsory education.
"With the rising cost of living pressures, this is adding to much stress and anxiety for families."
She said the SEA was presently $4486.27, and they requested that - in line with inflation - an increase of $400 per student be provided.
"For an estimated 50 students, that would mean a cost to the government of $20,000," she said.
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"In turn it would make the world of difference to those geographically isolated families who rely on the SEA to ensure their children receive an equitable education."
ICPA lone member Jodie Keogh compared the motion to the rate paid in Queensland for the SEA equivalent and said ICPA Qld was requesting an increase of $4000 per student.
Further to the above motion Ms Fels also put forward a motion that SA ICPA ask the Department for Education for an increase in the car allowance component of the student travelling allowance scheme, which is paid to families who transport their children to a school or suitable bus stop.
Ms Reynolds seconded the motion and said a motion presented in the 2017 SA ICPA State Conference regarding an increase in the rate paid for the Car Allowance component of the Student Travelling Allowance Scheme, quoted the rate was just over $.22 cents per kilometre.
"This year it has been quoted to us that the rate for 2023 is $.2687c/km," she said.
"That means an increase for six years stands at around 22pc and around 4 cents - historically this allowance has increased in relation to CPI.
"In 2017 the cost of diesel was around $1.35 per litre, at the beginning of 2023 the cost of diesel was hovering around $2/L.
"This would suggest an increase in the cost of diesel of around 48pc."
She said in 2017 the cost for an average priced four-wheel drive tyre was around $150 per tyre.
"Currently the cost of the same types is around $300 - this is an increase of 100pc," she said.
"These are just two of the main costs families in rural and remote SA incur when running a car to and from a school or bus stop at the cost of running a vehicle has increased at a far greater rate than that of the car allowance.
"Whilst we understand that an increase to the allowance to match the above running costs may not be achievable, we do ask that the Department of Education increase the allowance for families who are educating and driving their children to school and or bus stops in rural and remote SA so that it is closer to the physical increases and not just the CPI."
A Department for Education spokesperson said the department takes cost of living pressures very seriously, including introducing a range of initiatives at the beginning of the year to help families as children return to school.
"This included a $100 discount in the materials and services charge for each student, reducing the threshold for the school card and offering internet and digital devices for those who need it," they said.
"We will consider the Association's letter, and issues raised in due course."
Kiara Stacey
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
