Hi Iam new on this HELP. My hubby, 2 young boys and me want to go to Oz seems like we can only get there on a 457. I have heard that you have to pay for yours kids to go to a normal gov run school is this correct?

Depends on which State you are movng to.......

In NSW you pay $4500 per child per year. This is paid in advance. We have 2 children and pay in twice yearly installments but needed to get special permission from the dept of education to do so.

Hi

we came to brisbane on 457 3 yrs ago and dont pay any actual fees for the state schools. You do have between $50 to $150 annual contribution for the upkeep of the library etc and then depending on the grade it can be anything up to around $300 per year for books, pens, pencils etc......i have 1 in grade 4 and the cost of books this yr was $210, and another in grade 9 and her was about $45 for art pencils $30 for general pens, pencils, calculator and then $245 for a yr text book hire

its quite expensive at the begining of the school yr when you get it one lump sum but this yr i got bits in the xmas sales which made things easier

Hi there
Just out of curiosity, is this for a state school? Because AFAIK, state schools are free everywhere in Oz, even in NSW. See http://www.bubhub.com.au/infoeducationnsw.php

Apart from uniforms and books, you should pay nothing to send your child to a public school.

Not in NSW - Temporary Residents have to pay a fee to public schools in that state. That site doesn't mention restrictions for visa categories.

Not true for temporary residents. NSW will charge you $4500 a year if you are on a temporary resident visa and ACT will charge you double that and more.

Ouch! Another thing temporary residents get stung with... Glad we finally got our PR sorted!
Thanks for the clarification

As stated prior you have to pay in NSW, BUT you can apply for excemption.

We have for the past two years not had topay any fees in NSW and just sent away our forms to apply again. It is sort of based on income but not a set scale, they look at all of you incoming and out goings and decide on a case by case basis.

cheers

Andy