Schooling your children

In Australia it is compulsory for school-aged children to attend school. A common term for this is "dependant education". There are two types of schools available in Perth. Government (Secular) and Independent (not managed by the WA Government, and can be denominational). The arrangements regarding the schooling of dependants of international students varies according to the visa category of the student.

If you intend to bring school-aged or dependent children with you during your studies at ECU, please complete the Notification of Intent to bring school-aged children/dependents form and return it to ECU International.

Undergraduate Students and Graduate Diploma Students

Whilst the option of enrolling children in non-government schools remains open, it is possible for dependants of such students to be enrolled in government schools subject to the following conditions:

1. Enrolment will be at the discretion of the principal
2. A fee will be payable in respect of each child. The approximate fees are:
   • Kindergarten and part time Pre-Primary $2250 per annum or part thereof
   • Full time Pre-Primary $5000 per annum or part thereof
   • Primary (Years 1 – 7) $5000 per annum or part thereof
   • Secondary (Years 8 – 12) $5800 per annum or part thereof
3. The fees must be paid directly to the school prior to enrolment. There is a non-refundable period of one month and there will be no exemptions to the payment of fees
4. The cost of any special requirements eg. Educational support services, English as a Second Language, Speech Pathology etc will be an additional charge over and above the prescribed fee

Parents will need to approach the school to request the enrolment of their child(ren). The whole process of schooling children of international undergraduate and graduate diploma students will be managed at the school level and not through the Department of Education.

Masters and PhD Students

The Western Australian State Government provides 'free' public schooling for school-age dependants of Masters and PhD students. The children can attend public government schools which charge minimal fees (e.g. fees to cover the cost of books and excursions).

Usually the Australian Embassy/High Commission in your home country requests a letter from the Department of Education before they will issue a student visa for the children. To obtain the letter you will need to fax us a copy of your children’s passport page or birth certificate which shows their name, date of birth etc. We will then arrange for the Education Department of Western Australia to issue a letter for your children and have the documents faxed and couriered to you. This can only be done after you have accepted your offer to study at Edith Cowan University

Once your children are placed in a school their level of English competency will be evaluated. If they are assessed as needing English language tuition you will be required to cover the cost of the tuition - this can be in the region of A$7000 to A$8000 per year per child.

Independent Schools

It should be noted that students are not restricted to sending their children to government managed schools, you are able to send your child to a registered independent school. Contact the Department of Educational Services for an up-to-date listing of eligible schools.

Department of Education Services
22 Hasler Road Osborne Park
PERTH WA 6017
Phone: 9441 1900
Fax: 9441 1901
Email: des@des.wa.gov.au

Links to further information

• Western Australian Department of Education & Training: Information for Parents (general information for parents)
• Western Australian Department of Education & Training: Education & Training International
• Education Department of Western Australia: Schools Online (Directory of public schools)
• Internet Schools Directory (Directory of non-government schools in Australia)
• Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST)