Living Away from Home
Allowances Scheme (LAFHAS)
Risk management criteria
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An agreement exists between Departments of Transport and Main Roads and Education and Training
concerning distance checking for Living Away from Home Allowance Scheme.
Roles and responsibilities are reviewed and renegotiated annually by both departments.
For distance checking purposes, applications are categorised into High, Medium and Low risk
classifications. Level of risk determines the level and frequency of checking.
All new high risk applications are checked prior to payment.
Continuing applicants are checked based on level of risk e.g. high risk applicants every two years,
medium risk every three years.
Risk classification criteria
Distance type
Distance from home to nearest year level by shortest trafficable route
Distance from home to transport service to nearest year level
Distance from home to nearest year level via transport service
Distance from home to a transport service to another school
If closer to a transport service to another school, distance from home to
that school via that service
Time taken to travel via transport service from home to nearest school or
school used by closest transport service
Note: Applications are categorised by highest risk factor involved.
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16-19.9
4.5-8.9
56-64.9
4.5-8.9
Medium
risk
kms
20-29.9
9-14.9
65-74.9
9-14.9
Low
risk
kms
=>30
=>15
=>75
=>15
56-64.9
65-74.9
=>75
All
applications
N/A
N/A
High risk
kms
Low risk applications
o Gross error checking only is required e.g. distance quoted is 200 km from nearest school when it is
actually 20 km.
o Where large distances are involved, there is no requirement to check distances to the last kilometre.
Medium risk applications
o Checking should be more precise especially where school transport services are involved.
o Changes to school transport services can impact the eligibility of continuing applicants.
High risk applications
o Checking to be more precise.
o Physical on site checking may be required to be performed by the Department of Transport and Main
Roads.
o It is desirable that the Department of Transport and Main Roads invite applicants to witness any
physical checking to ensure there is no doubt about distances measured.
Uncontrolled copy. Refer to the Department of Education and Training Policy and Procedure Register at
http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the most current version of this document.
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