International students

We welcome international students at our 92 public schools in Canberra, the capital of Australia.

Our schools take students from kindergarten to year 12.

If you live overseas and want your child to study here:

• they need a subclass 500 student visa (schools sector)
• there is an application process to confirm enrolment
• you will need to pay international student tuition fees (school fees)
• you need to work with a registered education agent on your application.

What Canberra schools offer

Canberra is known for its world-class education, quality of life and safe streets. It is easy to get around by walking, cycling or public transport.

Our public schools support international students to develop:

• understanding and skills in many learning areas
• thinking, leadership and teamwork skills
• confidence to speak and write in English.

Each school with international students has a coordinator who provides academic and welfare support. Our International Education Unit also provides support.

Our international students achieve high results in the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Each year, the top 25 year 12 international students in ACT public schools achieve an ATAR of 90 or above.

Learn more about why Canberra is a great place to study on the Canberra website.

Our education system

Most of our schools are in Canberra, the main city in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Primary school starts in kindergarten and ends in year 6. ACT children are 5 or 6 when they start.

High school is for years 7 to 10. ACT children are about 12 when they start.

College is for years 11 to 12. ACT young people are about 16 when they start. Students are assessed throughout these years. There are no final exams. At the end of year 12, students get a Year 12 Certificate. They can also get an ATAR score, which is needed to apply to university.

Find out more in our Canberra government schools brochure [PDF 531 KB].

Learn about what we teach (curriculum).

Study and living requirements

The student visa allows your child to study in Australia for up to:

• 3 years, if your child is enrolled in primary school
• 6 years, if your child is enrolled in high school or college.

Your child must be at least 6 years old to apply for a student visa.

If aged under 16, your child must live with a parent or close relative approved by the Department of Home Affairs. This is a visa requirement. The relative can be a parent, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew. They can also be relatives your child has through a parent remarrying, for example, a step-aunt or step-nephew.

If aged 16 years and over, you can apply for your child to live with a local family through Australian Homestay Network. This helps your child experience Australian culture and improve their English in a supportive household.

If your child will be living with a Homestay family, they can only arrive in Australia 7 days before they start school. Immigration refers to this as your course commencement date. This is because the ACT Government is not your child's legal guardian until then.

If aged 18 years and over, your child must live with a local family for at least the first 6 months of their stay, arranged through the Australian Homestay Network. After 6 months, they can apply for approval to live in any housing they choose. Contact our International Education Unit to find out more.

Your child can only study at schools registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Our CRICOS Registration Number is 00643J.

Find a school

Canberra is divided up into what's called Priority Enrolment Areas (PEA). Each of these areas has a number of schools assigned to it. We guarantee ACT children a place at a school within their PEA. This means children get to attend a school near where they live.

Your PEA is determined by the address where your child will live when they are in Australia. When you are applying for your child to study here, your education agent will talk to you about schools in your area that you can choose from.

To find out which schools are in your PEA, visit finding a school in your Priority Enrolment Area.

Apply to study here

Follow these steps if you want your child to study in Canberra as an international student.

School fees and costs

You need to pay international student tuition fees (school fees) every year.

Fee payment is for tuition costs, curriculum-related charges and coordinator release time. Release time is set at 30 minutes per student.

This fee does not include the cost of school uniforms, book packs, materials to make items that students take away from school or excursion expenses that are not related to the curriculum. All students are supplied with the same equipment, with the same conditions, as local students (for example, a Chromebook laptop).

You cannot get a fee waiver or fee exemption for school fees.

Annual fees are:

• Preschool: $4,200
• Primary school (kindergarten to year 6): $11,100
• High school (years 7 to 10): $14,500
• College (years 11 to 12): $16,200.

These fees may change.

All international students must have Overseas Student Health Cover. This is health insurance that helps cover medical costs while they are in Australia. You need to get this as part of applying for a student visa. Find out more on the OSHC Australia website.

Information for education agents

Education agents can download the latest visa 500 (school sector) international students application form [PDF 206 KB]. Email completed forms to ieu@act.gov.au.

Related policies

Related information

Contact us

Contact us if you have questions or want to know more.