Our Boarding Schools Expos bring schools and families together, face-to-face, in the heart of regional Australia. These events give parents the chance to explore options, ask questions and build connections in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Whether boarding is a brand-new idea or part of a family tradition, you’ll leave informed, supported and confident in your next steps.
As rural people ourselves, we understand the journey you’re on. Amanda, the Director of The Boarding School Collective, lives on the western plains of NSW, and sent three children to boarding school. From the moment you arrive at a Boarding Schools Expo, Amanda and her team will welcome you with the warmth and understanding that comes from lived experience. Every family receives a gift bag filled with resources before stepping through the doors to meet the schools, each excited to connect with you and proud to visit your region. Schools genuinely understand the challenges rural, regional and remote families face – from distance to financial pressures – and are ready to listen, answer questions, and share opportunities.
At our full two-day expos, held in larger regional centres, you can expect even more. You’ll also have the chance to participate in our School of the Expo competition, where families vote for their top five exhibiting schools and go into the draw to win $10,000.
In smaller or more remote areas, our pop-up expos offer a compact yet welcoming format with a select number of schools – ensuring everyone has access to information, no matter where they live. At either format you’ll leave with a range of information, gift bags from the schools and an energised sense of confidence ready to explore your options.
At either format you’ll leave with a range of information, gift bags from the schools and an energised sense of confidence ready to explore your options.
Vote for
your favourite school
at an Expo for a chance
to WIN $10,000!
At every Boarding School Expo, families are invited to take part in our much-loved School of the EXPO Award. This award gives visiting families the chance to recognise and celebrate the schools that stand out during the event. Voting is simple and fun – families rate the schools they meet on three key things: the friendliness of the school representatives, the presentation of the booth area, and the knowledge shown about boarding life at their school.
By casting a vote, families are automatically entered into the draw to win a cash prize. It’s a fantastic way to make your time at the Expo even more engaging, especially if you have children with you. We find kids love being involved, comparing notes, and helping their parents make decisions – it becomes a shared experience for the whole family.
For us, watching parents and children in conversation, weighing up different schools and asking thoughtful questions, is what the Expo is all about. This award not only adds a little extra fun, but also empowers families to take ownership of the process and ensures conversations continue well beyond the Expo doors.
Explore our extensive school directory.
Expo activities
Vote for
your favourite school
at an Expo for a chance
to WIN $10,000!
From boarding school experts, to scholarship opportunities to prizes
The School of the EXPO Award celebrates genuine connection between families and schools. Voted on by families attending each event, the award recognises schools that stand out for their friendliness, presentation, and knowledge of boarding life. It’s a fun, interactive way for families – and their children – to engage with the schools in the room, while giving exhibitors valuable feedback on what resonates most. Each winning school receives a free registration for the following year’s Expo in recognition of their excellence.
Join the Circle
Be part of the community
Connect with fellow boarding school families, and share in a collective of wisdom, support and love.