International Education FAQs
2. Can I get help with my English language skills?
3. What are the fees and charges?
4. What is OSHC?
5. Where can I stay while I am at school?
6. How much money will I need?
7. Can I work and study?
8. What if I have a problem?
9. When can I start?
1. How do I enrol in an ACT government school?
If you have any enquiries or require information about any of the programs mentioned on this website, please contact the International Education Unit.
If you want to apply for the International Fee Paying student program, you should take the following steps:
1. Make an initial inquiry by contacting the International Education Unit. Request that an enrolment package be sent to you (or an appropriate contact). This contains further information and an application for enrolment. Alternatively, you can make your initial inquiry to an agent (Details about agents and other matters concerning enrolment can be obtained from Australian Education Centres and the Australian Embassy).
2. You or your agent will complete and send back the Application For Enrolment, along with a $225 (GST inclusive) application fee to the Unit. If there are any problems or queries concerning enrolment at this stage, please contact the Unit.
3. If your application is successful, the Unit will fax or send an Offer of Place letter to you or your agent, which will include school, course start date, end date and tuition fees due. Accept by returning the Offer of Place, and make payment of tuition fees due (including Overseas Student Health Cover). You or your agent will then receive a Confirmation Of Enrolment (CoE) certificate and receipt for fees and charges.
4. Apply for a student visa by taking your CoE certificate and other relevant documentation to the Australian Embassy in your home country and making an application. Student must also have a health check as part of the application process (Additional conditions apply for students from AL3 and AL4 countries).
5. You or your agent then arrange an appropriate arrival date and inform the International Education Unit of your travel arrangements including flight number, arrival date and time. A representative from the Unit will meet you at the Canberra Airport and transport you to your destination, or alternatively you may arrange for relatives or friends to meet you on arrival.
2. Can I get help with my English language skills?
There is no requirement for international students to be proficient in English language when they enrol in ACT schools.
To make the transition into the ACT school system as smooth as possible for international students with little or no English, two options are available:
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Introductory English Centres (IEC) at both primary and secondary levels prior to entry into mainstream schools
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English language bridging programs where international students attend intensive English language classes as well as studying mainstream subjects with Australian students.
These programs develop students' English language skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. They teach specific study skills such as note taking, summarising, library skills and report writing. Information technology skills are also developed.
Every student must participate in a bridging program or attend the IEC until their English language skills are sufficient to enable them to progress satisfactorily in mainstream classes.
Students must also demonstrate satisfactory academic progress over the previous two years of schooling before an offer of place is made to study in an ACT government school. Students who are currently achieving well at school in their home country are most likely to succeed as an international student in the ACT.
Introductory English Centres (IEC)
The ACT Department of Education and Training offers four Introductory English Centres (IEC’S) - one secondary and three primary.
Students whose first language is not English are eligible to enrol in one of these centres. The length of study time at one of these centres varies according to each individual's progress.
Features of IEC’S include:
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12 students in each class
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Students study school curriculum subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Computing, Australian History and Australian Geography
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Students learn Australian customs and how to live in Australian society.
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Primary |
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Northside Primary |
Tuggeranong Primary |
Southside Primary |
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Secondary |
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Secondary Introductory English Centre |
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English language bridging programs
English language bridging courses are available at several Secondary High Schools and Colleges in the ACT.
The structure of the English language bridging course is intensive English language programs for approximately 50% of the tuition time and enrolment in mainstream subjects appropriate to the students needs.
The purpose of English language bridging courses is to provide international students who have studied English with:
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intensive English language tuition
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exposure to Australian people and Australian culture:opportunities to receive credit for studies.
3. What are the fees and charges?
Fees and charges for 2011
One full academic year - Years K-6 A$9,320 (with Acceptance of Offer of Place)
One full academic year - Years 7-10 A$12,500(with Acceptance of Offer of Place)
One full academic year - Years 11 and 12 A$13,900 (with Acceptance of Offer of Place)
Primary Introductory English Centre A$9,320 (with Acceptance of Offer of Place)
Secondary Introductory English Centre A$13,900 (with Acceptance of Offer of Place)
Overseas Student Health Cover A$420/year
Homestay Placement A$170 (GST inclusive)
Airport Pick-Up A$170 (GST inclusive)
Weekends/Public Holidays:$340 (GST inclusive)
This fee covers school tuition plus Parental Voluntary Contribution, textbook hire and consumable charges. It does not include the costs of materials used by students to make items which they take away from the school. Nor does this fee cover excursion costs. Please note that late payment of tuition fees by new or returning students will incur a $565 (GST inclusive) surcharge.
All fees are to be paid by bank cheque in Australian dollars. Tuition fees are non-refundable unless the applicant is unsuccessful in gaining a visa or in certain other (special) circumstances.
4. What is OSHC?
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) will entitle you to private health insurance with OSHC Worldcare. OSHC will help you pay for medical and hospital care you may need while studying in Australia, and will contribute towards the cost of most prescription pharmaceuticals ($150 per year) and emergency ambulance transport. It is equal to the Medicare cover issued to Australian citizens.
5. Where can I stay while I am at school?
The ACT Department of Education and Training maintains its own register of families available to provide accommodation to international students. Students can live in a friendly supportive Australian family environment.
Each homestay is inspected and the student’s progress is continually monitored by officers of the ACT Department of Education and Training. The cost for full board is $260 per week for students over the age of 15 and $340 per week for students under the age of 15, which covers all lodging costs and all meals.
Alternatively, students over the age of 18 can also make their own living arrangements if they wish.
6. How much money will I need?
Personal expenses of $100 - $150 per week on top of homestay payment would cover most incidental expenses a student could expect to meet.
7. Can I work and study?
You may work part-time up to 20 hours per week if your visa allows, provided it does not affect your studies. You may work full-time during vacations. However, be advised that it may be difficult to find work. If your visa does not allow you to work and you would like to have a part time job, you will have to change your visa status at DIAC 
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8. What if I have a problem?
An international student coordinator is located in each school to deal immediately with any problems.
Support is also available from officers of the International Education Unit.
You can get help with any of the following:
- Pre-arrival information on courses
- Monitoring of academic progress
- Airport Reception
- Counselling in school and university subject and course choice
- Help in finding accommodation
- Career advice
- Intensive language courses
- Health service advice
- Library services
- Welfare advice
Officers of the Department’s International Education Unit (IEU) are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to deal with any problems which arise. Contact details.
The IEU employs and/or is able to second native language speakers for students enrolled into the program to utilise. Parents are encouraged to contact officers of the IEU at all times.
Interviews with your parents can be organised if they visit Australia. Alternatively, if a delegate from the Department is visiting your home country, interviews with your parents can be arranged to discuss your education and adjustment to studies in a foreign country.
9. When can I start?
Students can enrol at any time throughout the year, but can only travel to Australia once their visa has been approved and issued.
Please check the ACT Term Dates
