Queensland boosts IT subsidy for isolated school students, promises better bush internet speeds

Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor | June 9, 2022

The Queensland Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) has welcomed an increase to the IT subsidy the State Government gives to distance education students.

Education Minister Grace Grace announced the change to the Distance Education ICT Subsidy Scheme today at the ICPA State Conference in Blackall.

The subsidy will increase from $250 to $400 per student per year.

The ICPA said its members were buoyed to hear news of the increase, which will support isolated families meeting the cost of computer technology used by schools of distance education.

Minister Grace said technology had become increasingly important in distance education, and that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This increase in the subsidy will support our geographically and medically isolated students to maintain and replace their IT hardware as needed.

“This is a permanent increase, with any CPI increases added to the new $400 baseline subsidy moving forwards.”

About 2800 students accessed the subsidy during the 2021/22 financial year.

Ms Grace said schools in rural and remote communities will soon be getting faster internet speeds.

“We recently announced a $190 million partnership with Telstra to make internet speeds up to 200 times faster in all our schools.

“This partnership will also see Telstra upgrade hundreds of exchanges across Queensland. Around 350 have already been identified and there will be more added as the work progresses.

“Around 40 schools will have a fibre optic connection for the first time, and our more isolated communities will not be left behind.”