jodie_dirk

Hi there, am not sure whether im looking in the wrong places or not but do you have to pay school fees at all schools in Oz or are their government run free schools like here in the UK.
Thanks in advance
Jodie

Amandabee

State schools are free, but they do require some contribution from parents. NOrmally for book fee. This money is then used to keep text books and other items like computers in good condition and get new ones etc.

Some schools will offer payment plans etc to help out. Its not a huge amount of money though. Also you may have to buy the school uniform (from the school shop), and all kids will get a materials list at the start of the year of things they have to have. Like recomended exercise books etc.

tawkins1

DO they have to be any particular exercise books or will any do? Only asking as we are able to get 10 for a £1 here in the UK. Not sure how much they are in Oz. Only asking as I have 3 children of school age
What sort of things are on the list that they need to have for school & do they want specific makes/types?
Any help appreciated. Thanks

Amandabee

Although most schools will have a specific type they reccomend, anything will do, for most subjects. Depending on when your getting here, office world (or what ever its called) always have a massive back to school sale (as do most places) and often sell simple books for a cent each! I used to buy them by the hundereds and give them out to kids that didnt have any.

Depending on what you can get, just get general supplies a few books, pencils crayons etc. and then if you need anything else, you can pick up in Oz fairly cheaply. Also if you know what school your going to, ask them to send the stationary list and this will give you an idea.

Amanda

sinderelle

There are School fees that are to be paid but it depends in which area and what visa you are going in on.

We're moving to NSW on 457 visas and have been informed that we have to pay $4500 for the school year up front

newjersey

That is true for temp visas and 457 is one of them.
NJ

jodie_dirk

Are the cost so high as its a 457 visa or is that just the cost of the school you have chosen. The cost of the school i was looking at was around $250 per year. Is that only for PR's?

Amandabee

$250 sounds like the book fee I was talking about. Basically most schools will have some kind of incentive to pay, and the kid will miss out on extra-curricular activities, or cant go on trips etc, if you don't pay.

Amandabee

Hi most schools charge a book fee, which is a fee to use the schools text books etc. Most kids will be given a book to take home for all subjects they do. Which is different from the UK (or at least when I was there last).

No school (that I have taught at in Oz, or heard of) will supply any of the basics, i.e. exercise books pencils etc.

different schools will charge different book fee's and this is used to keep stocks in good supplies and also computers and other resources etc. Think of it like rent!

Ian.C.Williams

Yes NSW charges 457 visa holders the $4500 per child but if you get PR mid year they will refund.
book costs and trips are very like UK and have several ways to pay, also have an assistance policy for the needy etc
Ian

tawkins1

Lovely. Thanks for that

quoll

Many schools have book packs - and generally they do like the kids to have the same books so lay off the el cheapo Tesco variety.

In addition there are often "voluntary contributions" which, although they would like you to think otherwise, are voluntary but you are certainly encouraged to pay them unless you are a low income earner. Excursions and other things are a regular drain on your purse.

The fees apply for 457 visa holders in NSW and ACT and in ACT they are higher at, I think $9k pa paid up front per semester. If you are on a 457 though the independent schools will only charge you what the going rate for fees is so you could get away with about $3k pa.

jayr

457 holders in QLD do not pay fees for state schooling.

Annual stationery packs (ordered Dec-Jan) cost around $170 per child including 'normal' stationery (pens and paper etc) plus some additional things for that year (such as German Dictioanry, Recorder etc.)

Our state school charges a "voluntary" technology fund of about another $175 per child. And swimming $90. And sex ed about $25. A trip somewhere $25. Someone external coming into to talk to them about something $5. Oh then selling Easter Raffle tickets. Or lollies. Or The Entertainment Book. And a gold coin for 'crazy hair day'. Or wear what you like day. Or donating a jar of pickles for the fete. Or paying to go the Bingo night. Or the Bush Dance. Or the Halloween Dance. And $20 for a Mother's Day gift. Another $20 for a Father's Day gift. Donating some Christmas Decorations. Or some junk for "trash and treasure". You get the picture?

datamile

And the uniform price.. No little $10 dress from tescos, lucky if its under 200.

rabsody

My cleaner was telling me today that she has to pay $400+ "voluntary" contribution each for her twins for high school, plus a levy for school subjects i.e. art/music etc at about $300 each.

Uniforms are another couple of hundred each as they are not allowed to wear the generic Big W variety, has to be the school branded stuff - down to their socks! - and then you have to pay out for all stationery and text books (another few hundred).

Her husband is severly disabled, is on a pension, and she does a few hours a week cleaning cash in hand to try and keep the wolf from the door. They struggle to send their kids to school and do the right thing.

Australia has a high level of personal taxation which I believe should encompass, at the very least, the cost of school subjects. You don't pay (directly) to use parks, libraries or art galleries, so why should you have to pay to use a state school?