State school fees..... another shock!!!

[Guest kiwi]

Prices seem to vary depending on what school and area you are in. I've heard people complaining about having to pay $30 for music fees. A $1000 fee would be horrendous. School fees are voluntary in Oz as they are in NZ, but the government doesn't cover everything, so if you can pay it do. We refused last year, and also refused to buy a replacement compulsory blazer ($300) for our son two weeks after he started high school, when he left it hanging on a hook in the gym and someone nicked it. The school gave us a spare.

 

However, you do have to pay for optional subjects, but those prices seem a little high compared to what I've been looking at.

[Guest daveintaiwan]

The Levy is a con and they hope you fall for it.

 

Probe into 'voluntary' fees at 100 schools | Herald Sun

 

 

I was looking at the posts after this article, and it was comments like these that most concerned me:

 

"The school says that if you don't pay these extras your child misses out or they cannot complete their project and I have even had it said that the project will not be marked if it is not completed."

 

"...last year she was told if she didn't pay her fees, she could not do her debutante ball (and she didn't; many of her friends did but she did not) and she was told that if she hasn't paid all outstanding fees this year, she won't be allowed to participate in the year 12 graduation dinner."

 

It seems that the school will treat your kid differently, if you're not paying voluntary fees, thus creating a two-class system dependent on wealth.

 

Another thing to watch out for:

 

"A lot of the schools have become very inventive in the way they describe their fees. It makes it very vague for parents to understand. Many schools just lump it in one charge and they don't set out which are the voluntary bits and which are the compulsory bits."

 

"The main problem is that schools are not itemising their charges, so parents aren't sure if the items they are paying for are considered essential, optional or voluntary,"

 

Crafty b**gers!

[Guest Brickie]

I was looking at the posts after this article, and it was comments like these that most concerned me:

 

"The school says that if you don't pay these extras your child misses out or they cannot complete their project and I have even had it said that the project will not be marked if it is not completed."

 

"...last year she was told if she didn't pay her fees, she could not do her debutante ball (and she didn't; many of her friends did but she did not) and she was told that if she hasn't paid all outstanding fees this year, she won't be allowed to participate in the year 12 graduation dinner."

 

It seems that the school will treat your kid differently, if you're not paying voluntary fees, thus creating a two-class system dependent on wealth.

 

Another thing to watch out for:

 

"A lot of the schools have become very inventive in the way they describe their fees. It makes it very vague for parents to understand. Many schools just lump it in one charge and they don't set out which are the voluntary bits and which are the compulsory bits."

 

"The main problem is that schools are not itemising their charges, so parents aren't sure if the items they are paying for are considered essential, optional or voluntary,"

 

Crafty b**gers!

 

My boy was treated no different in primary schools as its against school policy to let the teachers know who has and who hasnt paid, in fact he was school captain for his last year so obviously it made no difference.

 

I still cant comment on high school, but Im sure I told them to bugger off too (as I do :wacko:) and he did alright in school and didnt miss out on anything..

[Que Sera Sera]

We have been here 8 months now. state school is free on the visa you will be coming on just like for us. but you are asked to pay voluntry resource fees. High scholl is free but have to pay for all books and any subjects and sports that are apperntly not covered by the normal schooling resources. and of course all the subjects your kids want to do cost. hoope this helps.

 

Oh brill! thank you thank you thank you and once again thank you! I knew someone had told me that. I see your in Brisbane one of the places we are looking at is Redcliffe so same state so I suppose same fees. You have made my Monday! :notworthy:

[Guest rachelj]

Glad to have helped. you dont have to buy the text books i paid a resource fee of about $165 for years 8 & 9 but that goes up as they go up through school. its cheaper than buying the text books.

[Guest jonseywife]

I was looking at the posts after this article, and it was comments like these that most concerned me:

 

"The school says that if you don't pay these extras your child misses out or they cannot complete their project and I have even had it said that the project will not be marked if it is not completed."

 

"...last year she was told if she didn't pay her fees, she could not do her debutante ball (and she didn't; many of her friends did but she did not) and she was told that if she hasn't paid all outstanding fees this year, she won't be allowed to participate in the year 12 graduation dinner."

 

It seems that the school will treat your kid differently, if you're not paying voluntary fees, thus creating a two-class system dependent on wealth.

 

 

 

 

This is spot on :yes:................... I have also been told the same about not paying fee's and not being allowed to go to the Debutant ball.

 

By the way, the Deb ball runs into $100's of dollars too!!!!! Our local school charge about $70 a ticket, then they ALL have to have dancing lessons, the boys have to hire tuxedo's and the girls have to hire white ballgowns (which can be a couple of hundred dollars) then there is hair do's, make up, photography and of course limo hire forn the night.......... so get saving !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Your ok if you have a medicare health card for low income earners, most of it comes free, but the treshold is very very low!!!!! If your just on the cut off line for these things then you can pay installments, but if money is tight then it still comes hard. Im affraid its a case or cough up or your child does'nt do the course............. not fair is it?

 

 

Brickie, I think you will still have a shock when your kids get the high school. The first couple of years are'nt that bad, its when they reach year 10/11 & 12 and you HAVE to pay for more specialist courses, then it get really costly.

 

Good luck all.......... it seemed like a good idea to have four kids at the time, but not quite so sure now!!!!!!! :twitcy:

Sally-ann

 

 

PS. Cath & Cob..... I still cant believe those prices for the Uni courses.......... that is gobsmaking, $83000 OMG !!!!!!!!! God luck with that!!!

My eldest mentioned Uni to me the other night, so that is definately a NO, NO then !!!

[Guest Brickie]

 

 

Brickie, I think you will still have a shock when your kids get the high school. The first couple of years are'nt that bad, its when they reach year 10/11 & 12 and you HAVE to pay for more specialist courses, then it get really costly.

 

 

 

:shocked:Sheet, dont wish that on me, Our boy has just graduated from Uni, I couldnt cope with another newbie....:unsure:

[Guest lisa&matt]

Hi, i'm getting very scared reading this thread. We are moving to Brisbane in a few months and havn't properly budgeted for expensive school fees for my 5 and 13 year old kids!!we are coming on a 136 permanent visa, what advice can you give me.

[Guest __TJ__]

im getting concerned as well, my 8yo will definatly want to go to UNI, and the 6yo will probably as wel ( she wants to be a space-vet, yup an astronaught tending animals LOL belss her) and he wants to be prime minister ( wqell heer he does, not sure what he will want to be in oz)

[Que Sera Sera]

im getting concerned as well, my 8yo will definatly want to go to UNI, and the 6yo will probably as wel ( she wants to be a space-vet, yup an astronaught tending animals LOL belss her) and he wants to be prime minister ( wqell heer he does, not sure what he will want to be in oz)

 

Bless he couldn't do much worse that the one weve got now could he?

[Lynandsean]

Hi folks!

 

The uni fees were a big stumbling block for us too. My daughter was going to study physio as an international student and the fees were over $100k. She chose in the end not to come to Oz for the time being with one of the reasons being that she felt the costs would put her under too much pressure (guilty if she failed etc :sad:) and ironically the NHS would have paid her fees if she studied in the UK. She has decided to do them in a year or 2 when we can sponsor her for a PR visa and they will be cheaper plus apparently she will be eligible for commonwealth assistance and this will bring the fees down massively.

 

Bear in mind the centrelink youth allowance benefits for TAFE/Uni are only available if you have been a permanent resident for 2 years.

 

Lyn x

[no1spark]

People if you all want your kids to have a good education & a decent future then look at them & see if they are enjoying there education, don't complain just look at the kids then you get the enjoyment if the kids are happy there is NO reason why you as parents should not be.

 

So be positive & stop complaining please

[Guest jonseywife]

People if you all want your kids to have a good education & a decent future then look at them & see if they are enjoying there education, don't complain just look at the kids then you get the enjoyment if the kids are happy there is NO reason why you as parents should not be.

 

So be positive & stop complaining please

 

 

Oi you........ You've got a cheek, telling us to stop complaining!!!!!

 

We all want our kids to be happy and have a good education & a decent future, thats the very reason we all scrimped and scraped and chucked in everything we had in the UK to come to Australia.

My orginal post was to let people coming over to Oz, like us, on a tight budget. It was an expense we had'nt accounted for, so I thought I should let others know....... I wish we had known about it before we came.

If your 'well off' financially then it wouldnt be a problem, but when your on a budget and relocating with four kids, every dollar is important!!!!!!

Yours sincerely

A whinging Pom :yes:

[Que Sera Sera]

Oi you........ You've got a cheek, telling us to stop complaining!!!!!

 

We all want our kids to be happy and have a good education & a decent future, thats the very reason we all scrimped and scraped and chucked in everything we had in the UK to come to Australia.

My orginal post was to let people coming over to Oz, like us, on a tight budget. It was an expense we had'nt accounted for, so I thought I should let others know....... I wish we had known about it before we came.

If your 'well off' financially then it wouldnt be a problem, but when your on a budget and relocating with four kids, every dollar is important!!!!!!

Yours sincerely

A whinging Pom :yes:

 

Good for you! One thing I have noticed that I thought was good though. My 17 year ol daughter (in OZ ) tells me that in OZ they can work at 14 and get quite some good money for their age. Whereas here all they can do at that age is a paperound also alot of Aussie kids have a part time job to help support themselves through Uni. Now thats a cracking idea to teach kids the value of money.

[Guest rachelj]

Oi you........ You've got a cheek, telling us to stop complaining!!!!!

 

We all want our kids to be happy and have a good education & a decent future, thats the very reason we all scrimped and scraped and chucked in everything we had in the UK to come to Australia.

My orginal post was to let people coming over to Oz, like us, on a tight budget. It was an expense we had'nt accounted for, so I thought I should let others know....... I wish we had known about it before we came.

If your 'well off' financially then it wouldnt be a problem, but when your on a budget and relocating with four kids, every dollar is important!!!!!!

Yours sincerely

A whinging Pom :yes:

I am with you on that one. we have four kids too and did not expect it too cost so much.

[joetrac]

Good for you! One thing I have noticed that I thought was good though. My 17 year ol daughter (in OZ ) tells me that in OZ they can work at 14 and get quite some good money for their age. Whereas here all they can do at that age is a paperound also alot of Aussie kids have a part time job to help support themselves through Uni. Now thats a cracking idea to teach kids the value of money.

 

I just turned 15 in the Uk and was working in WH SMITH and all my mates at the same age worked ...in a chip shop, chemist and video shop. Come on kids in the Uk work part time too...this is the kind of rose tinted specs rubbish that us returning laugh at.Next thing you know you will be saying that thanks to Oz you talk more as a family...its a country not a magic wand.

[cartertucker]

I just turned 15 in the Uk and was working in WH SMITH and all my mates at the same age worked ...in a chip shop, chemist and video shop. Come on kids in the Uk work part time too...this is the kind of rose tinted specs rubbish that us returning laugh at.Next thing you know you will be saying that thanks to Oz you talk more as a family...its a country not a magic wand.

 

Really.....can you 'legally' work in these places at 15? My son is 15 & we didnt think he was allowed to do paid work yet (other than the said paperround!)!

 

(sorry on another subject here, but was reading your post & thought 'great I can get my son out to work!)

 

Kelly :smile:

[joetrac]

Really.....can you 'legally' work in these places at 15? My son is 15 & we didnt think he was allowed to do paid work yet (other than the said paperround!)!

 

(sorry on another subject here, but was reading your post & thought 'great I can get my son out to work!)

 

Kelly :smile:

 

You can legally work at 13 in the Uk .It is restricted to a certain number of hours but 13 is the legal age.

[cartertucker]

You can legally work at 13 in the Uk .It is restricted to a certain number of hours but 13 is the legal age.

 

I have just searched & found that he cant work in a video shop, due to the sale of over 18 videos, cant work in Woolworths due to deliveries etc, cant work in Tescos (our large supermarket store) as you need to be 16!

 

So its great that you & your mates have had all these jobs, but I think that you must have been lucky to get them, either that or they have different policys from where we live!

 

So, its not for want of trying here in the Uk, they just dont make it easy for the kids to go out & earn themselves some money, I have never wanted him to do a paperround, as the streets arent safe enough (unless I go with him & then thats defeating the object of him getting his own job)

 

So im afraid that....again, im with Australia on this one, if the age limit is truly & legally 'country wide' 14 years old then thats gotta be a bonus :spinny: It gives the teenagers something to do occasionaly at weekends, mayby some weeknights, lets them make their own money, helps teach them the value of money.....Where as here...Mmmm, what do teenagers have to do.....Not alot!

 

(Just another reason why I wanna pack up my family & get over there....LOL)

 

Kelly.:smile:

[joetrac]

I have just searched & found that he cant work in a video shop, due to the sale of over 18 videos, cant work in Woolworths due to deliveries etc, cant work in Tescos (our large supermarket store) as you need to be 16!

 

So its great that you & your mates have had all these jobs, but I think that you must have been lucky to get them, either that or they have different policys from where we live!

 

So, its not for want of trying here in the Uk, they just dont make it easy for the kids to go out & earn themselves some money, I have never wanted him to do a paperround, as the streets arent safe enough (unless I go with him & then thats defeating the object of him getting his own job)

 

So im afraid that....again, im with Australia on this one, if the age limit is truly & legally 'country wide' 14 years old then thats gotta be a bonus :spinny: It gives the teenagers something to do occasionaly at weekends, mayby some weeknights, lets them make their own money, helps teach them the value of money.....Where as here...Mmmm, what do teenagers have to do.....Not alot!

 

(Just another reason why I wanna pack up my family & get over there....LOL)

 

Kelly.:smile:

 

Im not going to Argue with you kelly ... you dont Live here ...I do....Kids have the same sh*t to do in the Uk as here ..and The same Jobs I have to say...some places of work will employ them others will not(Infact I had a 15 year old work in my branch when I was a bank manager only 2 years ago).

 

Oz will not change your teens attitude but I guess you will have to see that for yourself.

[Que Sera Sera]

I just turned 15 in the Uk and was working in WH SMITH and all my mates at the same age worked ...in a chip shop, chemist and video shop. Come on kids in the Uk work part time too...this is the kind of rose tinted specs rubbish that us returning laugh at.Next thing you know you will be saying that thanks to Oz you talk more as a family...its a country not a magic wand.

 

Thanks for that advice I am so glad that I can get advice like that being that my job is as an Employment Law Advisor. Minors under school leaving age do not come under employment law legislation and therefore they have to contact their local councils to talk to the local childwelfare officer to ask what they can and cannot do. This depends from council to council and companies have to apply for special licencies and come under strict health and safety compliances to do these jobs. The hours these minors can work are extremely limited as are the areas that they can work in.

You can work if you have left school at 16 and then you are classed as a young worker between the ages of school leaving age to 18 and then there are criteria to protect ie the Working Time Regulations are more favourable to a "young worker"

[cartertucker]

Thanks for that advice I am so glad that I can get advice like that being that my job is as an Employment Law Advisor. Miners under school leaving age do not come under employment law legislation and therefore they have to contact their local councils to talk to the local childwelfare officer to ask what they can and cannot do. This depends from council to council and companies have to apply for special licencies and come under strict health and safety compliances to do these jobs. The hours these minors can work are extremely limited as are the areas that they can work in.

You can work if you have left school at 16 and then you are classed as a young worker between the ages of school leaving age to 18 and then there are criteria to protect ie the Working Time Regulations are more favourable to a "young worker"

 

Thankyou for that info. I did think that the only kind of jobs that teen's here could get were babysitting, washing cars, paperrounds etc. As we had looked into it a little before when my son was 14, because he would love to get out & work to earn his own money.

 

Kelly.:smile:

[Que Sera Sera]

I know its a pain its the second time I have been through this first with my first daughter before she went to OZ and now with my second daughter who is 14.

Even babysitting can be a bit dodgy I am afraid. I rang social services to ask about this just to make sure and they told me that they don't approve of babysitting before 16 years of age either ( I ask you!) I didn't tell her that Jamie already does it for me on a regular basis :biglaugh: Stick em up the chimneys I say!

[cartertucker]

I know its a pain its the second time I have been through this first with my first daughter before she went to OZ and now with my second daughter who is 14.

Even babysitting can be a bit dodgy I am afraid. I rang social services to ask about this just to make sure and they told me that they don't approve of babysitting before 16 years of age either ( I ask you!) I didn't tell her that Jamie already does it for me on a regular basis ..Stick em up the chimneys I say!

 

TBH my son just does jobs for me around the house, he doesnt earn alot, not enough to fund the new PS3 games & the new mobile phone he really would like I know that much! But he will be 16 this December, so he can get some part time work........I think! :policeman:

 

Kelly.:smile:

[no1spark]

It reads like your complaining & people seem to jump on the band wagon so to say, "Why" did you not research all possible facts regarding cost for education before you left the UK, thats NOT hard to do love. I fully understand what your saying & im sure you want the best for your kids, but your here so you must get on with it all. as for me having a cheek thats life.??????