Advice on good schools in/around MELBOURNE

**Moko** · 11-03-2011, 08:13 AM

Hi all

Have been reading a lot on PIO since joining, but never really got the courage to make a post!

We have just got the 457 Visa through (hurray). I'll be coming over to sort accomodation in May and I hope to move my troop to Melbourne in June. I'll be working in the Cheltenham area, but housing being expensive means we may have to move further away... any ideas for good areas within reasonable distance and with good schools?

Kids are 16/9 and 5. The priority is to find a good affordable (state) school for the oldest as he's probably looking to go to uni after. But of course I'd like to find good schools for all of them....

Is anyone able to give advice from 1st hand experience?
Will we be expected to pay for all the schools on this visa?
Should I start contacting the schools now or is it easier to be in situ?

Thanks to anyone with a bit of advice

***Cerberus1*** · 12-03-2011, 03:16 AM

Hi moko
You won't pay tuition fees in Victoria on a 457 visa. The only cost will be the various contributions/charges (some of which may be optional) which schools make at the beginning of each year, they normally come to around $300 as a very rough average.

Some of the schools will have catchment areas, so you probably won't get very far with them until you're in situ.

**olly** · 12-03-2011, 03:28 AM

You could check out Mentone, some good schools there, or Seaford?

**shusselmann** · 12-03-2011, 08:14 AM

Sorry, don't know Melbourne very well but wanted to check that you're familiar with My School for researching public schools.
Good luck!

**Moko** · 12-03-2011, 11:05 AM

Thanks everyone. Very helpful.

At least the fees question is clear now, replies on some other posts have been a bit confusing because I think you do have to pay fees in other states.

Schusselman, I checked out your site which is going to become very handy indeed.

I'll def. check out Mentone, but I think the area is a bit expensive for us. I've read Frankston is a good high school, just worried the distance might be a drag in the long-run, as I'll have to go to the CBD on a regular basis . 'll have to find out on my reccie in May.