Sending your child overseas for school is a major decision. As a parent, you may be thinking about your child’s education, safety, accommodation, English level, visa requirements, and whether they will adjust well to life in Australia.

The good news is that Australia offers a wide range of schooling options for international students, including government schools, Catholic schools, independent private schools, boarding schools, and schools with specialist academic, sporting, arts, or English language support programs. There are hundreds of options to cater for your family’s unique circumstances.

At Study Gurus, we help parents understand the full process before they make a decision. This includes choosing a suitable school, preparing enrolment documents, understanding costs, arranging welfare and accommodation, and applying for the correct visa.

Yes. International students can study at selected primary schools and high schools in Australia, depending on their age, academic background, English level, visa eligibility, and the school’s entry requirements. Australia offers education pathways for children from primary school through to secondary school, with many schools accepting overseas students.

Before enrolling your child, parents should consider the child’s year level, school location, tuition fees, accommodation, welfare arrangements, and student visa requirements. Study Gurus can help families understand the school enrolment process and choose a suitable pathway for their child’s education in Australia.

The best school for your child is not always the most expensive or the most well-known school. The right school should match your child’s academic level, personality, English ability, interests, support needs, and long-term study goals.

When choosing a school in Australia, parents should consider location, school fees, academic results, English language support, student wellbeing services, class environment, accommodation options, and progression pathways after Year 12. A school that provides the right level of care and support can help your child feel more confident, settled, and successful.

If your child is under 18 and studying in Australia, they must have appropriate welfare and accommodation arrangements in place. This is one of the most important requirements for school-aged international students.

Common options may include living with a parent, legal guardian, or approved relative; staying in school-approved homestay accommodation; or attending a boarding school. In many cases, the school must approve the child’s accommodation and welfare arrangements before enrolment and visa approval.

Parents should arrange this carefully before their child travels to Australia. Safe and suitable welfare arrangements help ensure your child is supported academically, emotionally, and practically while living away from home.

Your child does not always need to be fluent in English before starting school in Australia, but they may need to meet the school’s English entry requirements. Some schools accept students with developing English skills and provide English as an Additional Language support, intensive English programs, or preparation courses before mainstream classes.

Parents should check the English requirements before applying, as they can vary depending on the school, year level, and education provider. Choosing a school with strong English language support can make a major difference to your child’s confidence, learning, and adjustment to life in Australia.

In some cases, a parent, legal guardian, or eligible relative may be able to accompany a child to Australia while they study. This is commonly done through the Student Guardian visa, depending on the child’s age, circumstances, and visa requirements.

This option can give parents peace of mind, especially if the child is younger or needs additional support. However, parents should understand the visa conditions, financial requirements, health insurance requirements, and limitations before applying. Study Gurus can help families understand whether a parent-accompanied pathway may be suitable.

The cost of sending your child to school in Australia can vary depending on the school type, location, year level, accommodation, health insurance, visa fees, uniforms, books, transport, and living expenses.

Government schools are often more affordable than private or boarding schools, but fees vary between states and education providers. Private schools and boarding schools usually have higher tuition and accommodation costs. Parents should prepare a full budget before applying so they understand the total cost of school study in Australia, not just the tuition fee.

The cost of sending your child to school in Australia can vary depending on the school type, location, year level, accommodation, health insurance, visa fees, uniforms, books, transport, and living expenses.

Government schools are often more affordable than private or boarding schools, but fees vary between states and education providers. Private schools and boarding schools usually have higher tuition and accommodation costs. Parents should prepare a full budget before applying so they understand the total cost of school study in Australia, not just the tuition fee.

The school enrolment and student visa process can take several weeks or longer, depending on the school, documents required, welfare arrangements, and visa processing times. Parents should start early so there is enough time to choose a school, prepare documents, receive an offer, arrange accommodation and welfare, pay required fees, and lodge the student visa application.

After completing high school in Australia, students may be able to continue to university, vocational education, foundation studies, diploma programs, or other further study pathways. Studying at school in Australia can help students improve their English, adjust to the Australian education system, and prepare for future academic opportunities.

With the right school, support, and planning, many international students settle well into life in Australia and build strong foundations for further study and future career goals.

Learn more about the Guardian Visa and School Enrolments

How We Help with Your Student Visa

  • Course enrolment guidance
  • Genuine Student (GS) support
  • Student visa application assistance

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School Education FAQs

International students aged between 5 and 18 years can enrol in Australian primary or high schools, provided they meet age, academic, and visa requirements.

International students can enrol in government (public) or non-government (private) schools. Some schools also offer boarding options or the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

Students under 18 must have approved welfare and accommodation arrangements. This can include:

  • A parent or guardian on a Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)

  • School-approved accommodation and welfare (homestay or boarding school)

  • Living with an approved close relative in Australia

Not necessarily. Parents may apply for a Student Guardian visa, but many schools can arrange welfare and accommodation without a parent being present.

Some schools may assess a student’s English level. If additional support is needed, schools may offer English language support or recommend ELICOS before or alongside school studies.

Common documents include:

  • Passport and birth certificate

  • Previous school reports

  • Proof of age

  • Immunisation records

  • Welfare and accommodation details

Fees vary depending on the school type, year level, and location. Private schools generally charge higher fees than government schools. Additional costs may include uniforms, textbooks, and excursions.

Processing times vary by school and state. It is recommended to apply several months in advance to allow time for enrolment confirmation and visa processing.

Yes. After completing high school, international students may apply for vocational education, foundation programs, or university courses, subject to meeting entry requirements.

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