• All independent schools, systemic or otherwise, have some level of fees - whatever they are called.
• These may include tuition fees, boarding fees [where applicable] or a combination of both.
• Other fees & payments to consider will also include uniform [see last point], sporting expenses, excursion & performance expenses, payments related to specific skill development in areas such as music, transport, technology, other extra-curricular activities, …
• Systemic schools belonging to major religious groups or to groups with specific beliefs, e.g. Christian Community, tend to have significantly smaller fees than do preparatory schools which have links to secondary schools, or to secondary level systemic schools or schools belonging to associations such as the Greater Public Schools in NSW.
• However, there is no set structure of fees which applies across the range of independent schools.
• Even systemic schools within the same group can have greatly different fee levels, structures and even payment arrangements.
• The only certain way to be sure what the exact fee structure is, as well as other probable payments, irrespective of the school level where your child is involved - early childhood/Infants, Primary, Junior Secondary or Senior Secondary, is by making contact with that school and gaining exact details.
• To check if the school has a web site, see the School pages. Follow the Non-Government link for the state/territory, the school group and finally the specific school listing. You can also contact a school in person, by email or by telephone.
• In most instances, you should make direct contact with the school in order to find the full scope of fees & payments at any school.
• Depending on the time of the year of your enquiry, you may need to re-check, as many school fees, particularly those for boarding schools, change from year to year. This can be by significant amounts at the most expensive schools.
• Be aware most independent schools have strong uniform codes, particularly at the secondary level. Some schools have several styles of uniform, all of which are compulsory.Many are involved in sporting competitions. Others have Fine Arts or Technology programs. More now have international activities. These provide quite an expensive addition to a total cost in any given year.

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• All Primary schools have some form of fee structure - whatever this is called. It may be known as Fees, Annual School Charge, a Levy, Voluntary Contribution or a School Contribution Scheme.
• In some states it is a compulsory part of the educational system. In others, while encouraged, it is still voluntary.
• Details of which states/territories have voluntary and which have compulsory fees, and in one case exactly what these are for, can be found on the Enrolment Information pages.
• However, this does not indicate the exact amount of fees established at each school. Within some state/territory system there can be variation among the level of fees.
• For example, in NSW there is an upper limit and a limited range of movement in the fee level from year to year. Fees are also affected by the school’s surrounding population and its capacity and willingness to contribute.
• In Victoria, there are three separate forms of payments covering essential education items, optional extras and voluntary contributions, which are governed by quite specific policy guidelines.
• While in a number of states/territories fees or contributions are voluntary, all parents are encouraged to contribute. Most schools provide an indication of where these funds are used to benefit the education of students. In many cases, they assist in providing not only essential learning items but also many additional learning resources which enhance the learning process. Schools often nominate targetted areas when seeking these.
• In virtually every instance, there is provision for people who find difficulty in contributing to discuss the matter privately with the principal and come to some suitable arrangement, or be excused from payment. Some states provide funds which assist in this.
• Every state and territory ensures that each child is provided with all aspects of the core curriculum and education, no matter what the situation.
• Most parent organisations support a reasonable level of contribution on the part of parents, with many having significant input into the level of the contribution being requested.
• The only guaranteed way to know the exact cost structure is to make contact with the specific school and gain these details.
• To check if the school has a web site, visit the School pages, follow the Government links for your state/territory, the school group and finally the specific school. You can also contact the school in person, by email or by telephone.
• Parents should ensure they are aware of other payments which may be incurred. These include expenses for sporting activities, excursions & performances, extra-curricular programs, lease or hire of equipment [e.g. musical instruments], additional instructional material [in addition to standard curriculum program provision], transport costs, …

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Every secondary school has fees. There are usually two main types of fees. These may have different names in different regions.

• These are a General Service Fee and specific subject fees where these apply, e.g. subjects such as Technology, Textiles, Agriculture, Visual Arts, Music.
• In addition there are a small number of schools where boarding facilities are provided. Boarding fees apply to these, though they are generally lower than in independent schools.

• Fees will normally vary between Junior and Senior Secondary, the latter, usually being the final two years of schooling, with the fees increasing as students enter this senior level. This is understandable given the increasing and more expensive resources required at this level, especially in optional subjects.
• There is no single secondary general or subject fee which applies across the whole of Australia. In many instances, they do not apply across any single state/territory system.
• Some systems have set fees dependent on the level of secondary schooling, e.g. Western Australia. In others, there is a range to be worked within and limits on variation from year to year, e.g. New South Wales. Check the Secondary Education page for initial details.
• The only way to be certain of the exact fee structure irrespective of the Junior or Senior Secondary level your child will be in and the subjects they are taking, is to make contact with your child’s school and gather exact details.
• To check if the school has a web site, visit the School pages, follow the Government links for your state/territory, the school group and finally the specific school. You can also contact the school in person, by email or by telephone.
• Parents should ensure they are aware of other payments which may be incurred. These can include expenses for sporting activities, excursions & performances, extra-curricular programs, lease or hire of equipment [e.g. musical instruments], additional instructional material [in addition to standard curriculum program provision], transport costs, higher cost alternatives [more expensive materials to be used], … . There are considerably greater at the secondary level.
• There are also fees for International Students who are studying at this level in Australia. An ‘indicative’ level of fees for International Students can be found at the
  New South Wales Department of Education and Training - select Study Programs, then check the menu details [Fact Sheets with Temporary Residents Program] for details,
  Education Queensland where links are provided in response to FAQs, or Western Australian sites.

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Every university and college has fees. Some of these are set, others are flexible depending on the college, university course. In universities, these include the following.

• Tuition Fees for every subject taken.
• A General Service Fee by whatever name. All students pay this. A lesser fee may apply if you study by distance education as some costs may be excluded.
• Residential Fees, where accommodation is available and used by you. This may not be done through the university directly, depending on the residential structure, e.g. residency in a private college.
• There is a significant fee variation between students who enter university through the Australian system of going from secondary school to university via the normal placement process, or those who enter university as full fee paying students, often from overseas.
• There is the opportunity to offset fees until you enter the workforce and reach a specified level of income. Details of this can be found at FEE-HELP [now found at Study Assist] and also at Higher Education Loan Schemes - HELP and Student Financial Supplement Scheme information for Taxpayers.
• While not exactly classified as a fee, there will be compulsory, as well as recommended, texts and on occasions, practical work [such as field studies], residential courses for Distance Education students and other general resources. These constitute a significant, essential outlay.
• There will also be payments if you are involved in many of the various on-campus activities available. These include sporting involvement, dramatic or musical activities, various clubs, … .
• Contact the university you plan to attend and ensure an exact knowledge of what fees are involved; what level these are; gain an idea of additional financial requirements for particular subjects you plan to take; closing date[s] for payment of these. This can be done in one of the following ways.

• by visiting their web site as listed on the Colleges or Universities pages and finding the relevant sections on their site;
• by visiting the college or university concerned and discussing this with them at an open day or by appointment;
• by gaining a copy of the Handbook which will usually provide some details;
• a combination of the above.

• Do not leave it until Orientation unless you want a severe shock.
• If attending a college, our advice is to contact the college direct or via their web site, some of which are listed on the Colleges and Universities pages.
  TAFE sites are listed here under each state/territory heading.
• Each course will have a specific fee. In private colleges this may include the cost of resources such as texts, other compulsory components, software, etc.. There is no standard scale of fees.
• In this instance, you need to take into account the reputation of the college, if it is a formally recognised provider, the specifics of the course being offered, how this compares to other suppliers of the same course, any additional costs to be incurred and any other relevant factors, when deciding if the fee being sought by them for the course you wish to attend is a fair and reasonable one or whether a similar institution with a lower fee structure and a sound course will satisfy your needs now and in the future.
• You have to make this decision, so any fees paid provide you with value.

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