BushED Australia

We have created a list of Frequently asked Questions. If there isn’t an answer here to a question you have please complete the form below and we’ll get the answer to you as soon as possible.

Who can apply for help from BushED?

BushED provides assistance to farmers and families in remote and very remote areas as defined by the AIC Distant Education Allowance criteria.

How much help can a family receive?

BushEd’s primary education service is the supply of volunteer tutors/teachers, many who have retired form full time employment and still have so much to give. Educators and other professional people are our primary source of volunteers and they come from all over Australia. They will provide, with our small financial assistance to cover some of their travel expenses, support to families to help educate children’s learning via current methods, Distance Ed, School of the Air.
Families registered with BushED with one or more students from Prep to Year 12 can access up to $300 per year/per family to assist in reducing their educational needs.

What does a family need to do?

Once a family has submitted their listing, a username will be provided for the family. The family will need to click on a provided link and create their own password. The username and password will enable the family to check on their placement listing. The family will receive emails from interested volunteers who would like to accept the position.
The family is responsible for providing meals, accommodation (if required), and public liability insurance for the working partner is optional not compulsory.

What about accommodation?

Accommodation provided must be safe and clean. Tutors may choose to bring their own caravan/trailer. Families may provide a spare room, granny flat, cottage, quarters etc accommodation. All must be furnished with bed and bedding, hanging/cupboard space. Working toilet and showers, and a hot water system. Different people are happy with different scenarios, and it is important to have an open and honest conversation with your family/tutor about what is available and what you need.
If families choose not to have the volunteer/s eat with the family, then it is suggested that both parties come to an agreement prior to placement. The family would be expected to provide groceries to the volunteer/s if they didn’t eat together.

Do we have to feed our volunteers?

Families are required to provide meals for the tutors.
This could be –
– All food provided, tutors to prepare their own meals.
– All meals provided, tutors to collect meals and eat in their own accommodation.
– All meals provided, tutors to eat with family.
– All meals provided, some meals eaten with families and others (eg breakfasts) eaten in own accommodation.
Any dietary requirements should be made known to the family at the time of acceptance for the placement. Many remote families have limited access to regular grocery trips and need to plan ahead for special requirements.

What about school?

The tutor may
– Assist the parent in the school room
– Give the parent a complete break from the school room
– Assist the parent by encouraging the parent with different teaching strategies.
Each family and each placement will be different. It is helpful for the family to list their requirements in the job placement. We encourage the family and tutor to discuss their individual needs at the acceptance of the placement.

These tutors have lifetime of experience, use there knowledge and ask them if there is something you haven’t seen but they have with learning problems your child may have. Be prepared for a honest answer that you may not like

What about after school?

The tutor is not a baby-sitting service. They are to assist in the school room within reasonable school hours and in the parent’s attendance.

What about my husband/wife/partner?

A tutor’s spouse/partner can accompany the teacher/tutor on placement. When accepting the placement, the family and the couple need to discuss what roles the family would like the partner to accept. The spouse/partner may
– Assist in the schoolroom
– Do light duties around the house if desired (mow a lawn, sweep a floor etc)
– Accompany Dad out in the paddock as an offsider or spectator
The family will need to ensure that they have up-to-date Public Liability insurance to cover the partner in this role. The family must provide a copy of a current Public Liability Certificate of Insurance when registering a placement.

What about insurance for us, the volunteers, in case of an accident?

BushED has insurance that will cover the volunteers from the time they
– arrive at your property to begin their placement till the time they leave your placement.
– In addition, BushED insurance will cover the volunteers for travel to and from but only if they travel directly from their principle place of residence.
– In the case that the volunteer takes extended time to arrive at and return from placement to their principle place of residence, BushED insurance WILL NOT COVER their trip.
Alternatively, should the volunteer be arriving and departing to another location, then the insurance will cover from the start of placement until completion.

Name(Required)