international student fees

Hello All,
We're looking at moving to Australia for a year and have been exploring the education system. I kept hearing that some states could make us pay up to $8,000 for public schooling for our kids who will attend primary. For those of you in the same boat, here's what I have found out so far.on a 457 Visa there are no international school fees (ie $8,000 per child, per year) in Western Australia or Queensland.Haven't heard back from anyone else yet. I am attaching the link outlining all the visa subclasses for Western and fee structures as applicable. Good luck!http://policies.det.wa.edu.au/Members/e4002033/policy.2006-01-19.8936487071/Orig_2008-06-23.6469118438.pdf.

You could also check out South Australia, I think I read someone comment that they don't have the excess school fees there.

Also, another option is to send the kids to a private school, which can sometimes be cheaper than paying the fees at a state school. Mostly it's some of the reglious schools (like Catholic) that can have fees lower than $4000 per person. If you choose to send the kids to private school then you pay them directly whatever their fees are. Or at least that's what I've gathered from other people.

I think the $8000 is excessive though for a 457, I think most places would be closer to $4000 for a 457 visa holder. Although better to plan for the higher end!

If you're planning on going on a 457 have you looked into how easy/hard it would to be sponsored? To go on that visa you need to have found an employer to sponsor you, which in some cases can be very difficult.

I think in previous posts you mentioned that you qualified for the 175 visa. If this is the case then it might work out to be cheaper to just get the permanent visa. That way you won't have to fork out the school fees every year or pay for private medical coverage. I believe our visa cost about $3000 Canadian and took about 8 months to get. So for us, it was well worth it. We don't have the extra costs, and we're not dependent on our employer for a visa.

If you come on a 457 you are tied to that employer. If they fire you (or you quit) then you need to find another visa within a month (I think). For us that just wasn't enough security which is why we opted to get our own visa.

I know you aren't looking at coming over for a while, but I'd keep that option in mind in case sponsorship doesn't work out the way you planned.

Just heard back from Victoria.no international fees on a 457 with them either.

I'm a Brit in Australia, but it will be the same for Canadians.

School Fees for 457 Visa Holders

Although the 457 visa is classed as a temporary visa, it must be noted that it is a Temporary "Resident" Visa, and not a Temporary "Visitor" Visa.

Most States allow the children of Temporary "Resident" Visa holders to access Government School facilities under the same conditions as Citizens and Residents. However, it must be noted that the ACT and New South Wales do NOT.

NSW charges between $4,500 and $5,500 per child for education whilst on a 457 Visa.

ACT charges between $9,500 and $13,500 per child for education whilst on a 457 Visa.

QLD treats 457 Visa Holders the same as Citizens and Residents.

WA treats 457 Visa Holders the same as Citizens and Residents.

VIC treats 457 Visa Holders the same as Citizens and Residents.

SA treats 457 Visa Holders the same as Citizens and Residents.

Tasmania treats 457 Visa Holders the same as Citizens and Residents.

Northern Territory treats 457 Visa Holders the same as Citizens and Residents.

Note: NSW Sydney Morning Herald Newspaper Article quote from September 20, 2007:
"A spokeswoman for the NSW Education Minister, John Della Bosca, said 457 visa holders could apply to have school fees waived"

Hope it helps