More help for indigenous students: govt

Indigenous Australian families with children in boarding school would receive thousands of dollars more to support their final years of study, under proposed changes to the family tax benefit.

The federal government will introduce legislation to parliament to extend the benefit to families until their children finish secondary school.

Although families receive other support for their children's study, the family tax benefit currently cuts off when students turn 16.

Social Services Minister Anne Ruston says the change means eligible families will get on average an extra $5900 each year for their child's essential living costs, such as clothing, medicines and pocket money.

"The boost in financial support will help these students to complete school leading to better employment prospects," she said on Wednesday.