School place before arrival

[Kayleighjx]

Hi all I have just been offered a place at Tafe to study early childhood education. I will be taking my partner and 2 young children, one of which will be due to start school in January. Looking at the requirements for the student visa it says that I need to have my child enrolled in a school. After contacting the local school in Australia they can’t offer me a place till we have a residential address in the catchment area. Has anybody else experienced this? Is there some way around it? Thank you x

[Quoll]

Are you sure you're not confusing it with your enrolment as a student? Your kids will be dependents. Enrolment will depend on place of residence although there is no guarantee that for the dependents of student visa holders they will be offered a place in their local school.  IIRC in some states, enrolment is student visa dependents is a central application rather than school application and enrolment. 

[Kayleighjx]

Thank you for responding. The list of the requirements to apply for the student visa says “Evidence of enrolment of an accompanying dependent child 5 to 18 years of age at an Australian school. If any family unit members are 5 to 17 years of age (inclusive) and will live with the applicant in Australia, documentation confirming their enrolment in an Australian school.”

[Jon the Hat]

It does seem contractidictory.  I suggest contacting the local school authority and saking them / applying that way as Quoll mentioned.  This is probably why it is handled centrally.

[Kayleighjx]

Thank you both for your help I have contacted Queensland DoE so hopefully they can help.