Choosing the right education path for your child is one of the biggest decisions a family can make. For many rural, regional, and remote families across Australia, boarding school offers unique opportunities that can help your child grow academically, socially, and personally – no matter where you live. Indeed for others, it’s their only choice.
We understand that boarding school might feel like a big step, especially if it’s new territory for your family. That’s why we’re here to help you explore the benefits, ease your worries, and guide you in finding the best boarding school to suit your child’s needs.
Australian boarding schools have a proud tradition of welcoming students from all over the country – including from rural and remote areas. They provide an enriching environment where children can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
It’s completely normal to feel uncertain about sending your child away – especially if no one in your family has done it before. You might worry about homesickness, adjusting to new routines, or how your child will manage the distance.
Here’s what many families find reassuring:
Finding the right school for your child is easier with the right information. Here are some tips to get you started:
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. Families can join our Live Q&A panels featuring future, current and past parents, who share their stories honestly and with heart – real conversations and real answers that help you feel supported in your decision-making. 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 $1,000.
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 $1,000!
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 $1000 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.
No-one likes talking about the financial side of things, but it’s one of the most important investments a family can make so it’s a vital conversation. We take a deep dive into scholarships and bursaries – the options, as well as who and importantly, how to approach.
A student panel discusses scholarship opportunity, responsibility, and giving back, exploring pride in bursaries and the rural boarding experience, facilitated by Ruby Riethmuller with insights from students at The King’s School and Kincoppal–Rose Bay.
Don’t let the financial commitment of boarding school cast a grey cloud over the experience – it doesn’t have to. Just know there’s no shame in asking for financial support; the worst a school can say is “no,” and even then, you can respectfully challenge it.
Latest stories
Podcast – Letters from home
Tamara Nixon shares why boarding matters, the importance of rural students in city schools, and how belonging, community and culture can be rebuilt in boarding houses post-COVID.
Expo activities
Vote for
your favourite school
at an expo for a chance
to WIN $1,000!
From panel 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.
