Do we have to pay school fees in Australia?

Do we have to pay school fees?

Now this is a subject that confuses a number of people. Firstly it depends on what fees  you are discussing. If it's tuition fees then if you are on a temporary visa yes you will pay fees, however, the rules are different for each state so please see below.

Australian citizens and Permanent residents still pay fees even when they are at a state school. These are voluntary fees and range between $100 - $1000. Even though they say they are voluntary and you can refuse to pay them there have been numerous parents who complain that their child has been treated differently, refused school excursions etc. 

Don't forget you also have to purchase:

Uniform - 99% of schools insist you purchase the uniform from their supplier, most are branded. School uniform fees vary.

For the school my son is at the fees are as follows:

Shirt formal $33

Tie $21

Shorts Formal $30

Trousers Formal $40

Belt $14

Sports Top $29

Sports Shorts $24

House Top $35

Socks $6.50

Socks Formal $5

Jumper $58

Jacket $85

Hat $14

Bag $70

Obviously you are going to need a couple of each so it's quite expensive. Just make sure you get a large size.

Books

These are study books, in Australia they aren't included like the UK. The price for the books can either be included in school fees, loan the books and pay a smaller fee, or buy the books outright.

Stationary

Every child needs to provide their own writing books, pens and pencils, calculator, glue, etc at the end of every year you will receive a book list. You may not need everything on the list especially if you already have them.

457 Visas

A few years ago there were a couple of states who didn't charge school fees for families on 457 Visas, unfortunately in 2016 South Australia became the latest state to now charge.

South Australia

South Australia work on a means test if you earn a joint income of under $57,00 you will not pay any fees. If you are earning over $77,000 the fees will be approximately $5,100 for primary aged children and $6,100 for secondary. Any subsequent child will receive a 10% discount.

WA

In WA the school fees are only payable if you earn over $75,000 and then the fee is $4,000 per family (not student) if you earn under $75,000 joint income you can apply for financial hardship - https://aumigforu.ms/2sceeTC

NSW

In NSW the school fees are between $5,000 - $6,000 depending on what year your child is starting. You can apply for an exemption like the other states, details can be found here

https://schoolsequella.det.nsw.edu.au/file/af2345bd-f02a-4700-9fbb-55338904d1c9/1/fee-exemption.pdf

ACT

This is one of the most expensive states for schooling. For 457 Visas, only the occupations listed on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are eligible for fee exemption.

School fees are as follows:

Pre School $3,900

Kindy to Yr 6 $10,400

Yr 7 - 10 $13,600

Yr 11 - 12 $15,200

Victoria and Queensland - Neither of these states currently charge school fees for 457 Visa holders.

QLD - http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/school-operations/fee-exemptions.html