How to enrol children into Australian high schools
Australia in the top 10 countries for international students and Melbourne is considered one of Australia’s biggest student cities. The Australian Government has a national curriculum that implements activities around literacy and numeracy, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), humanities and social sciences and arts and languages.
Children who aren’t Australian citizens can still enrol in a school in Australia. However, it’s worth noting that every student must provide evidence that they hold an eligible visa and fulfil to the visa’s conditions. To be considered as an international student, you must be an overseas national who plans to come to Australia on a valid visa that allows you to study in Australia. Students on a 500 or 571 student visa can apply to study in schools from Year 1 to Year 12.
Here are some compulsory documents that you need to show educational institutions before you enrol your kids into schools:
- Your personal details
- A certified copy of your birth certificate or your passport
- Visa details
- Your accommodation and welfare documentation
- Overseas student health cover (OSHC) details
- Certified copies of your school reports for the last two years
- Evidence of your proficiency in English such as:
- evidence that you have been studying for a minimum of two years in a school where all subjects (except languages) are taught in English, or
- English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, AEAS or STEP Eiken)
- Certified translations of all supporting documents that are not in English
- Your method of payment
If English is not your child’s first language, they can enrol into an Intensive English Program for 12 months.
Fees
School fees for international students vary based on the school and state. Depending on what state your child will be studying in, fees can range from $17,000–$30,000 per year in an Australian private school.
The standard international student fee for Year 7–10 students enrolling in Victorian government schools cost is $17,548 per year. This excludes application fees, uniform fees and other non-tuition fees.
In New South Wales, international student fees are cheaper at $16,600 per year. Private or catholic schools are generally more expensive than public schools. Parents who hold a permanent visa or similar are exempted from paying international school fees.
Useful links:
