The Department of Education provides recurrent and capital assistance to eligible non-profit organisations providing hostel accommodation in rural areas to accommodate geographically isolated primary and secondary students (including students with disabilities) so they may have daily access to schools.

The student hostel recurrent grant is a per capital grant designed to assist hostels with operational costs. The department strongly encourages expenditure of 40% on pastoral care services to students in hostels.

Continued payment is conditional upon: the provision of a financial certificate signed by a qualified auditor, the completion of a satisfactory statement of uses and benefits for the funds received in the previous calendar year; and submission of a satisfactory accountability checklist per semester. Student attendance is also certified by both the hostel management authority and school principal(s).

2024

Rates of payment for recurrent grant from 1 January 2024:

• first 20 students, $4,673 per student per annum
• each additional student $4,002 per student per annum.

Minimum grant per hostel $16,160 per annum (hostels with 8 eligible students or less) plus $2,653 per student per annum.

2025

Rates of payment for recurrent grant from 1 January 2025:

• first 20 students, $4,742 per student per annum
• each additional student $4,048 per student per annum.

Minimum grant per hostel $16,712 per annum (hostels with 8 eligible students or less) plus $2,653 per student per annum.

Capital assistance

Up to 50% of approved project costs up to a maximum of $50,000 per hostel per annum.

Recurrent grant general eligibility:

Hostels approved to receive funding can claim recurrent grants on behalf of students who meet the following requirements:

• student's parents reside in Queensland; 
• student is in residence at the hostel for at least four consecutive weeks in a semester. Special consideration may be granted for students who are in residence on a regular basis, but not for four consecutive weeks, e.g. children of itinerant workers. Such claims are assessed on their merits provided the aggregate enrolment reaches a total of at least 50 per cent of the school year. Payment is made on a pro rata basis; and 
• student attends an approved primary, secondary or special education facility.

Students with disabilities will attract the same benefits. Tertiary or TAFE students may be enrolled only after applications from eligible students are considered. Tertiary or TAFE students will not attract benefits.

Capital grant general eligibility:

Hostel management authorities holding current approval to receive funding in terms of the General Funding Conditions are eligible to access Capital Grants.

Eligible projects need to meet relevant local authority ordinances, plus fire and workplace health and safety requirements if applicable. Eligible projects include: 

• purchase of land where land and erection of hostel building(s) are part of the same project;
• construction of hostel building(s);
• purchase of land and buildings and conversion of premises for use as a student hostel (as one project);
• purchase and replacement of furniture and equipment appropriate for the number of students to be accommodated;
• renovation associated with meeting the accommodation needs of students with disabilities; 
• large maintenance and refurbishment projects costing in excess of $2000 each (e.g. re-roofing); and
• consultants fees (e.g. legal and architectural).

Work (or incurring of costs) is not to commence on a project prior to receipt of advice that funding has been approved. Such activities are entered into at full expense of the hostel in the event that the application is unsuccessful.

For major projects hostel management authorities need to: 

• own both the land and the building used by the hostel;
• have relevant lease(s) which cover a period of at least 10 years from the date of completion of the project; or
• demonstrate ongoing viability through past and future enrolments.

• Phone: (07) 3034 5825
• Fax: (07) 3034 5890