Hi, I am planning to move to Melbourne at the end of the year, Just wondering what the story is with getting children into school, My OH is currently working over there and me and my daughter will be going on his sponsorship, Will this matter when trying to get her into school, the fact that we are not residents, She's 4 and in junior infants at the moment,

Also what are the schools like? Is there a big difference between private and public? What are the costs involved?

Any advice appreciated

Hi, your daughter will be able to start school in the year that she is 5 before April 30th. So if her birthday is before April 30th and she is 4 she could go right now. Otherwise she would have to wait until next January. If you are on a temporary visa I believe you have to pay school fees for both private and state schools. For permanent, State schooling is free apart from stationery, uniforms and a few other things.

Private school is about $10,000 a year at her age rising to over $20,000 when older. Schools vary as to how good they are. Which area will you be living in?

BB

At the moment he is in hampton and seems to like the area but i would like to find somewhere that is most suited to familys with schools etc, I really don't know alot about Melbourne, Private schools seem pretty expensive, what are the fee's like in state schools for people on visa's? She will be 5 in June, She will have a year of school done by then here in Ireland (they start at 4 here usually) will that matter?

If she will be 5 in June then she will not be able to start school here until February 2012. She will be able to do 4 year old kindergarten until then.

I just checked - Victoria does not impose school fees on temp residents.

Hampton is a lovely area, very expensive, beachside, close to the city. One of the "best" areas in Melbourne.

BB

Really? Do they start school that late in oz? can I ask what kind of things they do/learn in kindergarten? She will have had a full year in school by June learning to read and write etc, wouldn't really like to have to put her back to a lower level if this makes sense.

Nikki - in 4 year old Kinder kids learn a lot to prepare them for school. Its a lot about learning to interact with teachers and other kids and learning the correct way to behave and socialise. They do a lot of play activities, listening quietly, learning to sing a number of songs, actions to songs etc. They learn how to play co-operatively in a team of kids. They do not do reading, writing, maths etc!

Our twin girls actually did 3 years of kinder - 2 x 3 year old and 1 year of 4 year old. They have just started school this month aged 5 3/4 and they are straight into reading and writing and are making leaps and bounds.

You will find many parents in Victoria hold their kids back a year even though they are old enough to start.

BB