International students may be able to bring their family with them when they come to study in Australia.
However if you have children that are aged between 6 – 18 (Australian school age), then they may be required to enrol and study at an Australian Primary or Secondary School. The schooling for your children generally needs to be organised prior to applying for your own student visa. The requirements for enrolling students and school fees vary across Australian States and Territories, and across schools.
Primary School: Primary Schools in Australia cater to children aged from 5 – 13 years of age, and go from Prep to Grade 6 . Children start their Education in a preparatory class to prepare the child for the journey ahead. They complete their primary education at grade 6 then move on to High School.
High School: High Schools in Australia cater to children aged 13- 18 years of age, and go from Grade 7 through to Grade 12. High school students complete their education by sitting an exam in year 12 that encapsulates everything they have learned over their schooling life.
To be able to enrol to study at a state school, you will need to contact the State Education Department that deals with international students. You can talk to the local school, however all enrolments must be finalised through the State Education Authority for international students.
Listed below is a guide to help you understand the pricing for Australian Government (State) Schools per year.
- Queensland – Education Queensland International – Prices Range From $8800.00 AU – $14100.00 AU
- New South Wales – DEC International – Prices Range From $8500.00 AU – $10500.00 AU
- Victoria – Study Vic – Prices Range From $9676.00 AU – $14350.00 AU
- South Australia – SA International – Prices Range From $4160.00 AU – $5160.00 AU
- Western Australia – WA Education and Training –Prices Range From $13700.00 AU – $17880.00 AU
* Prices were correct as of 2016.
* Certain students may be able to apply to be exempt from paying fees. For further information, please contact the State Authority for international students.
What happens if my child’s English is not at the level required to enter primary or high school in Australia?
If your child’s English is not at the level required to enter school in Australia, they can undertake a preparation program with other international students.
Young Learners Program:
The Young Learners Course is designed to help young students learn about Australian culture and lifestyle, express their thoughts about themselves and prepare them for integration in to a domestic Primary school. Assessment Activities are carried out on daily basis to monitor the progress of the student, and make sure that they are fully prepared for entering the Australian Education System.
Course Features:
- A placement test determines the level most appropriate for your child.
- Weekly activities and monthly excursions complement your class program.
- Course material is varied and fun, including: internet research, extracts from books and movies, television and radio programs, singing and drama.
- Students take part in sporting and co-curricula activities with local schools.
- Small class sizes guarantee individual attention.
High School Preparation:
This course is designed to help students wanting to study in an Australian High School develop the required level of English language proficiency. The course includes English for Mathematics, English for Science, Novel, Academic Writing and Public Speaking.
The course delivery encourages positive, pro-active learning, with caring individual attention. Students develop self-confidence, maturity and self-awareness, while developing effective study habits appropriate to cope with the demands of the Australian education system. Assessment activities will be carried out as an integral part of the ‘every day’ teaching cycle. Student progress is monitored through regular assessment and class participation and programs are flexible to meet the needs of the individual students.
Course Features:
- A placement test determines the level most appropriate for you.
- Weekly activities and monthly excursions complement your class program.
- Course material is varied and fun, including: internet research, extracts from books and movies, television and radio programs, singing and drama.
- Students take part in sporting and co-curricula activities with local high schools.
- Small class sizes guarantee individual attention.
General Requirements for International Students to Study in Australia
The prerequisites can vary dramatically from Institution to Institution and State to State. This is a rough guide of basic requirements that need to be met.
Primary School.
Students in Prep to Year 6 can enter the Primary School program based on the following conditions:
- The minimum program period is six months in duration
- Students whose first language is not English will need to provide proof of their level of English or partake in a Young Learners Program.
High School.
Applications received from prospective international students will be assessed according to the following English language requirements. If the Student does not meet the required English Language requirement they can partake in a High School preparation course to get them to the required level.
English Requirements:
Year 7 & 8 = IELTS 4.0 – TOEFL = 31
Year 9 = IELTS 4.5 – TOEFL = 32
Year 10 = IELTS 5.0 – TOEFL = 35
Year 11 = IELTS 5.5 – TOEFL = 46
Year 12 = IELTS 6.0 – TOEFL = 60
Appreciate your response via email.
asalam o alakum my name is hassan and i want to study software engineering in australia along with my cosin muzammil we hv passed our matric exams in pakistan and want to continue with intermidiate we are not known about the procedure for applying study visa will u plz guide us completely about that we will be very thankful to u
Hey Hassan,
I shall send an email to you which will just ask for a bit more detail about your current qualifications.
Hi there, my name is AHMED WALID RABIEA I am exactly 14 years and 9 month’s old. I am currently studying in grade 9 in QATAR, going to grade 10 (high school) . I am originally from EGYPT but I have been living in QATAR for more than 14 years. My current grade or percentage is 97% ,and of course I am working on my self more and more to get more than 97%.I am really good at making scientific projects, as I have made so many at my school, plus I have been working on so many new investigations that will change the countries position.currently I am working on a car without petrol.I also received tons and tons of certificates, one of the best certificates I got was the GOOLE certificate which is certified from google for internet marketing .Anyways, I have always wanted to study out side even my parents wanted me to, so I was looking forward if I can continue my studies in your school and that will be a great pleasure by studying in a different country that I have always dreamt to.Basically we as arabs think that studying in a different country (European countries) is impossible , but for me I just want to be different from others I actually want to prove that it is not impossible.I also want to ask about scholarships will that be available or there will be something different.so I will be waiting for your reply kindly, and I hope I can bring this dream true and to make my parents always grateful towards me. Please take a moment to check my passport copy in the attachments Any thing you want I am 100% glade and ready for every thing Waiting for your response.. with worm regards from AHMED. Thanks..
Dear Ahmed,
To discuss your individual circumstances, we would recommend that you book a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents, you can do that here:
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Australia schooling visa
Hi Rajesh,
Were you looking at getting a student visa? What would you be interested in studying?
I have achieved IPRA scholarship for doctoral degree in UNE.
I want to bring my wife and son(11years) with me.
To enrole my son in year 6 how much I have to pay for tuition fee.
Hi Jamal,
School fees obviously vary from school to school, but on average you would be looking at around $10,000AUD per child per term.
Hi I am an Engineer and I want to admit my daughter to high school. What the requirements for studying high school in Australia ?
Hi,
So your daughter will need to meet the English requirements, financial requirements and health and character requirements to study in high school.
Hello My Name Is Nawal i want to complete my secondary school in Australia
Excellent,
Feel free to give us an email on [email protected]
Hi,
I want to admit my son in Year 1 (a school in melbourne). What is requirement? Please advise! Thanks!
Hi Tony,
It would be advised to first contact a school to see if they can take international students at such a young age. There are very few international schools that will accommodate at such a young age. Your daughter will then need to meet the English requirements to enroll
Regards
PTA TEAM
Hi,am a Nigerian trained pharmacist.presently the head of pharmacy department it the state teaching hospital that I work.my husband and my four kids aged 10,9,6 and 3years are Austrian citizens but am not.my family want to relocate to Australia and I would like to further my education.please can you kindly advice me on how to achieve this.thank you.
Hi Gloria,
So as pharmacy is not on the MLTSSL, you may need to find an employer that is willing to sponsor your visa. Without knowing more about your specific situation it is very difficult to give you an exact answer.
Regards,
pta team
1. I wanna know which students can be exempted from paying the fee?
2. would we have to pay the fee of a government school as well?
Hi Ramandeep,
The exempt from fees vary on each state you study. Generally speaking for most visas require international students to pay government fees as well.
Hi
My son is 12 year old in grade 7 cbse in dubai.i want to send my son in australia .my question is he can get student visa in this age.his date of birth 28-09-2005 ..From grade 8 he can join..he can study free . If there is any support plz guide me.if free how much ll b the government fee.
Hi Huma,
Your son may be able to enter high school. However high school for international students is not free. High school fees for international students generally costs around $10k per year.
Regards,
PTA TEAM
Hi, my daughter is grade 2 now, can she get to australian school if she studied grade 1 in arabic. She was born in australia and stayed there till 4 1/2 years old but she lost most english after 3 years now. What’s the requirement to get into grade 2 with other australian students
Hi,
I have 3 children .They are now studying at Grade1,4 and 8.
I want my children to study at Australia.So I want to know that
1.How can I choose the school?
2.Both parents can get guardian visa?
Hi, I believe that only one parent may be able to get the guardian visa. To choose a school you would need to look at the area that you want to live and contact the local primary school. The primary school needs to be accredited to take international students.
Regards,
PTA TEAM
Does the Northern Territory have its own State Education Department? If yes, is there a link? Thanks.
Hi Martin, please see this link: NT Gov Education and Learning
Hi there,
I’m interested in finding out average cost per year for a Primary and High School international students in Victoria / Melbourne? Many thanks.
Hi Alma! Australian school fees can vary quite significantly from school to school, on average you would be looking at around $10,000AUD per child per term.
Hi Alma, per our earlier comments, it can vary from school to school. On average, we would estimate approximately $10,000AUD per child per term. Kind regards, Team PTA
Hi there,
My daughter is in 6th grade and would like to continue her education in Australia most preferably in Brisbane. Could you recommend some Primary International schools in Brisbane to me?
Hi Brisbane is a big area. You would need to be more specific. Are you looking to go to Public or private?
Hi ! I, got Postdoctorate Job offer in Queensland University of Technology, .
I want to bring my family to AUS. My daughters study in grade 9-10 in Pakistan.
If I want to get admission for my 2 daughters in High school, what requirements are, and what total expenses are?
regards1
Dr Muhammad Ilyas, Pakistan.
0092 3486162548
Dear Muhammad,
Congratulations! We would love to assist you and your family. Please book a consultation with on of our Registered Migration Agents to discuss costs and next steps.
Here is the link: https://pathwaytoaus.com/book-a-consultation/
Kind Regards
The PTA Team
Hi I am kamrul
I want to get myself admitted into a senior secondary school in Australia. So what will be the requirements for me. Please help me. Thanks!
Hi Kamrul,
I have sent you a private message. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Kind Regards
The PTA Ream
Hi I am kamrul
I have completed my secondary school certificate(ssc) from Bangladesh. My date of birth is 21 June 2001. I want to complete my further studies of year 11 , year 12 and more from Australia. I don’t have a proof of 12 years of study . Because I have just completed 10 years of study in Bangladesh. In this case please help me for getting admitted in year 11 in Australia. Then what will be the requirements for that. Thank u so much. Please answer me as soon as possible. Thanks
hey, is this for international school or public school? what if i want to enroll at a public highschool as an international student? is the fees this high also?
Hi Nadine,
Fees for international students at public school are still roughly $10000 per year.
Private school would be even more.
Regards,
PTA TEAM
Hi
My son is pursuing year 10th in Feb2018 & i want him to study further for year 11 to graduation in australia adelaide mainly.Are there possiblity to take admission? What would be lowest possible fees?
Suggest me some low fees schools in Adelaide?
Hi Sameer, Adelaide is a big area. You would need to be more specific. Are you looking to go to public or private?
Hey.. I just wanna ask that what are the requirements for me (Indian) to get admission in a private and a public school too. And the fee structure for public and private schools both.
Hi Om,
We have emailed you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi PTA and Hi Nick,
We are Swiss citizen, we have one boy aged 12 and girl aged 10, they currently go to international school in Vietnam, want to send them to study primary and secondary/high school in Australia, preferably school with low tuition fees (probably public schools?). We are thinking of Sydney, Melbourne and may be Brisbane. What are the requirements and what would you advise, thanks
Alexander
Dear Alexander,
Thanks for your email.
We have emailed you directly with some further details.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
If i go to study english for 1-2 years in Mel, Can i bring kids to study in Gov school in G1-G2?
Hi Benz,
Yes, this may be possible.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi, I just want to know, How can get admission in a private school in western Australia in year 1 . What about fees . Can parents allow to work here.
Hi Sunil,
We have emailed you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
I am planning to study in Australia, but very worried about my kids education. What are the conditions for kids to be enrolled in public schools and what are the costs?
Hi Chenwie, you may find this article helpful:
You can also contact the individual schools directly regarding the enrollment process.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
We are on Tourist Visa and allowed to study for 3 months. I am planning to get my niece to primary school for that duration but what if she wants to further her studies, can i apply a student visa for her? Thanks
Dear Joy,
We are able to assist with the processing of student visas. You can book a consultation here:
Kind regards,
PTA Team
thank you very much for your thorough and complete information. I’d like to send my seventeen-year-old son to Australia to continue his study in one of the high schools (senior schools). I need to know about the kind of visa we need to apply for and find a cheap but good school so we can afford the expenses.
Dear Samy,
To discuss your specific circumstances, we would recommend that you book a consultation with one of our Migration Agents. You an do that here:
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi,
I would like to know if a child of an international student in Brisbane is eligible for child care rebate?
Hi Caroline,
We have emailed you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA TEam
Hi there, i am in the process of applying for a work visa to work in Melbourne. I will be bringing my two children over – aged 10 and 12. Please can you advise on the process for getting them into a government school if the visa is approved and we come over. And can you tell me what the school fees are like in primary and high school in Victoria for children of parents in a work visa. We are from South Africa. Thank you!
Hi Robyn,
The process will vary depending on the schools that your children are attending and the State.
It is best to contact the education providers directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi, I ‘d be interested in to know about studies.My son is14 years, from Finland.He has studied his first year in secondary school in Finland.So, what are we supposed to do and what might be a fee.In what cases there is no fees?
Hi Jaana,
The fees can vary depending on the education provider. It is best to contact the schools directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Is the primary student visa gets visa for her family likt both parents and will the parents get work.rights.
Hi Sameer,
We would recommend that you book a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents to discuss. You can do that here:
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi, I am enrolling for a nursing course with ECU in WA. My son is 13 yrs, I am looking for a good public or private high school near joondalup in Perth. Can u guide me regarding the fee and other requirements for the high school.
Hi Yamini,
We have emailed you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
hi..im coming from malaysia bringing my 4 year old to stay in perth for about a month only.
So would like to enrol her in any school till I’m there. how do i go about it. is there any schools which accept temporarily?
Hi Karun,
We have emailed you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Planning to come study a post graduate course in Australia, I have kids 10, 8 and 5+ . I would love they attend a public school but the prices are so outrageous for people with student visa. Pls advise so I’m able to decide before I come in with them. I’m a Nigeria
Hi Yilef,
We have contacted you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Can my hubby get a work permit visa if I’m a post graduate student and what fees are my kids to pay in public primary schools aged 10,8,5+ . We are Nigerians and need answers to avoid issues when the kids arrive concerning outrageous amounts seen here
Hi Yilef,
We have contacted you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
what is age limit to get admission in high school , what ielts score is required for 19 years old children because I am an international student from India.
Hi Abhishek,
We have contacted you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi! I am pharmacy graduate from the Phils. What course can you advised for me to take as international student and that can lead in getting my Pr?
Hi Eva,
We have contacted you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team