Am I reading some of these postings right, you need to pay schooling fees? How much are the fees and is it yearly or per term??

It depends on what visa you are on and, I believe, where you live.

Working visa, going to melbourne work posting 3yrs

Do you mean a 457?

I initially came out on a student visa and paid 4K a year for public school primary education for my son

Yes, a 457 visa.

We pay 4.5K per year on a 457 visa in NSW. But know this is different in different states....

$4500 + admin fee for Year 10 in NSW, $5500 + admin fee for years 11 and 12.

If you obtain PR throughout the school year, you can apply to have the fee refunded (not including the admin fee) on a pro rata basis.

Nothing (except your usual book fees etc) to pay in QLD - we also got a free bus pass for the boys' school journey.

Can't speak for the other states

**(oops, just noticed the title refers to primary school fees!)

A 457 visa holder only pays those school fees in NSW and ACT.

457s dont pay in Victoria but there will be a "voluntary contribution" expected of you each term - usually around the $100 per term mark. Technically these are "voluntary" but it is expected that you will pay it (especially if you child wants to use loo roll, tissues, the occasional class pencil etc) unless you are in financial straits. Add to that also the cost of excursions, performances, swimming lessons, music lessons, visiting speakers etc (you dont pay, your kid doesnt participate) and it all mounts up.

Is that right? I had no idea, we are on a 457 in Victoria and have paid school fees. I will have to look into that.
Btw, to the original poster - I have 2 at primary school and school fees came to $600 for both of them this year. Stationery items etc are extra but not all that much. Uniform was quite expensive. The voluntary contributions we pay are per year and aren't very much - only about $100 per family, I think it was less than that to be honest. Excursions are per term and it does vary but my grade 2's has only come to $11.50 this term, sometimes it could be up to $50 but it wouldn't be that much every term. Hope this helps!

The other thing to bear in mind is that Church schools, catholic etc are fee paying. The school fees for the catholic school my daughter goes to here in QLD are approx $2200 for the year, plus books, uniform, excursions.

Are fees payable on a PR spouse Visa? We got enrollment form coming to us from secondary school in Melbourne. Tell you what though - there uniform costs are extortionate!

What costs are you all experiencing for the childrens uniforms, Lucky it's Melbourne we're off to.

I have paid $500 for Summer and will probablypay the same if not more for Winter uniform.That is for Catholic secondary.Just dont feed your children too much so they dont grow out of them quickly.