An eligible officer may claim a Local Education Allowance towards the cost of the primary and secondary education of his children in Hong Kong. Model Scale 1 staff, officers on probation, confirmed to the permanent and pensionable establishment, on agreement, or on temporary terms of service remunerated from Personal Emoluments votes are eligible for the Allowance provided they joined the civil service in response to an offer dated before 1 June 2000.

An officer may claim the Allowance at any one time for up to four dependent children provided that he is not in receipt of similar benefits under his spouse's terms of employment. Eligible children should attend schools included in an Approved Schools List (English Schools Foundation Schools, International Schools, other Primary Schools, other Secondary Schools) issued by the Permanent Secretary for Education.

The Local Education Allowance is payable towards the school fees for children in primary or secondary education up to the end of the accounting period (i.e. September to December, January to March, April to June) in which the child reaches his 19th birthday, subject to the rate ceilings set for different classes.