Quote:
Originally Posted by jonseywife
Hiya
I think it varies from state to state so best to check with the individual state education website.
Although we are on the PR visa we had to pay for all the kids books, and some contributions to the school for certain subject and upkeep of the school.
It was about $300 for the books each child at secondary school (years 8 & 10) and another $300-$500 for school upkeep costs. I have three at school age so it all added up a bit, however the kids have great facilities, a huge swimming pool and get FREE bus travel to and from school. Back where we lived in the UK it cost me £30 per week for the three of their bus fares to school alone... so its all swings and round about here.
Check out Wikipedia too on the Australian eduction system, it explains alot and tells you all the terms, ages and links to school site too.
Good luck all
Sally-ann
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Yes all state schools have "voluntary contributions" they cannot actually force you to pay them but they can (and do) exert significant emotional blackmail to get you to do so. About $100 a term is ball park for voluntary contributions. Add to that individual excursions (bus, entry fees etc), performances (entry fees), sporting coaches brought in to school, swimming lessons etc etc, they are all add ons. Some schools will actually refuse to let kids go on excursions or to performances if they havent paid and the parents dont indicate that they are low income earners. If parents are on a low income the schools usually have a bit of a slush fund that they use to pay for those kids.
Then on the top of that comes the stationery packs - anywhere between $30 and $60 seems to be ball park around here.
So although public education is "free" there are always add on costs which enhance the basic school program. School based management, so beloved of Education departments can be a right nightmare for individual schools!
Private school fees can go up to about $15k - $20K pa for a day student these days. Systemic catholic schools are cheaper at around $3.5k