Cost of Schooling in Australia
School-level education in Australia is very cost effective, especially compared to other English-speaking countries. Costs vary from State to State and depend on whether students attend public or non-government schools. However, the following costs show what overseas students can expect:
| TYPE OF COST | COST – $AUD |
|---|---|
| Application fees These cover the costs of reviewing the student\’s application, even though the student may not be accepted by the school. | Variable |
| Tuition This depends on the school selected. | $6,000 – 15,000 per year |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) This covers normal childhood accidents and illnesses. | $420 per year |
| Accommodation This cost varies considerably. | $70 – 400 per week |
| Other incidentals For example, school uniforms, living expenses and learning materials. | Variable |
Accommodation for Overseas Students
There are several accommodation options for international students such as:
Boarding school
- Many non-government secondary schools provide accommodation, meals and laundry services for international students.Tuition fees are in addition to the boarding fees.
Homestay
- This is popular with younger students and those studying short-term English courses.
- Students can live with an Australian family, gain access to the Australian lifestyle and practise English in a natural and friendly way.
- Meals are usually included in the cost and single or shared rooms may be offered.
- Self-catering homestay is sometimes available at a cheaper price.
Farmstay
- This offers the same or similar services as a homestay, but in a rural setting. It can be suitable for short stays.
Share or Rental Accommodation
- Students over 18 may share or rent an apartment or house.
Approximate costs for each type of accommodation are shown below:
| TYPE | APPROXIMATE COST |
|---|---|
| Boarding School | A$11,000 – 22,000 per year |
| Homestay / Farmstay | A$235 – 325 per week |
| Share Accommodation | A$95 – 215 per week |
| Rental Accommodation | A$185 – 440 per week |