2027 Australia School Fees for International Students | Government, Private, 590 and OSHC

Planning for your child to attend primary or secondary school in Australia in 2027? Budget for three things first: government school tuition of about AUD 13,440–23,100 a year for international students (depending on the state and year level), private school fees that vary by school (two Melbourne private schools publish 2027 international fees of about AUD 31,680–51,098 a year), and the extras: homestay or living costs, a Student visa from AUD 2,500 and compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). If a parent comes too, the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) costs AUD 2,500.

This guide is based on state education department international programme websites, school websites and Department of Home Affairs pages accessed on 2026-11-14. NSW, QLD and SA have published 2027 fees. As of 2026-11-14, WA shows 2026 fees only. Study Victoria has published its 2027 fees (accessed 2026-11-15). This is general information only.

Contents

• 1. Government school tuition by state (2027/2026)
• 2. Private schools: fees vary by school
• 3. Homestay, living costs and other fees
• 4. Student visa (subclass 500): age, welfare and visa cost
• 5. Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) for parents
• 6. OSHC is compulsory
• 7. Tips for families outside Asia
• 8. Step-by-step application
• FAQ

1. Government school tuition by state (2027/2026)

International students apply to government schools through each state's international programme, and standard tuition is the same across that state. Annual standard tuition in AUD:

Primary means Prep–Year 6 in VIC and QLD, K–Year 6 in NSW, Reception–Year 6 in SA, and Years 1–6 in WA (Pre-primary is the same price).

• VIC: Study Victoria has published its 2027 fees, and notes that fees are reviewed annually and may change. The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School costs more: AUD 27,930 (Years 7–10) and AUD 31,343 (Years 11–12).
• NSW: 2026 and 2027 are both listed. A 10% discount applies to second and later siblings, or to schools outside greater Sydney and Wollongong (one discount only); discounted 2027 tuition is AUD 15,750 (primary), 16,650 (Years 7–10) and 18,900 (Years 11–12). The application fee is AUD 300, non-refundable.
• QLD: EQI lists 2026, 2027 and indicative 2028 fees. The minimum enrolment for the primary programme is 2 terms (6 months).
• WA: as of 2026-11-14, only 2026 tuition is published; 2027 fees have not yet been released. Students who need the Intensive English Centre programme pay more, for example AUD 17,575 for primary.
• SA: the 2027 Fee Schedule also lists OSHC at AUD 905 and a first-year administration and support service fee of AUD 740, and states that fees do not include travel to and from Australia or visa costs.

2. Private schools: fees vary by school

Independent and Catholic schools set their own fees. Two examples from Melbourne school websites, for reference only:

• The Knox School (2027): total annual fees for international students, including tuition, subject levies and a payroll tax levy, are AUD 33,691 for Prep, peak at AUD 51,098 for Year 9 and are AUD 49,047 for Year 12.
• Yarra Valley Grammar (2027): annual fees from AUD 31,680 (Prep) to AUD 49,480 (Years 10–12), plus uniforms of about AUD 1,500 and other course-related costs of about AUD 3,000 a year.

When comparing, check what each quote includes and whether the school can issue a CAAW (see section 4).

3. Homestay, living costs and other fees

Children who travel alone usually live in a homestay. Published costs:

Visa charges source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs (CC BY 3.0 AU), accessed 2026-11-14

For living costs, the Student visa financial requirement is AUD 29,710 for 12 months for the student. This is a visa threshold, not actual spending. Alternatively, parents can show a personal annual income of at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before applying, using official government documents such as tax assessments. Whether you must attach financial evidence depends on the Document Checklist Tool result.

4. Student visa (subclass 500): age, welfare and visa cost

Age requirements

School students (other than exchange students) must be at least 6 years old, and younger than 17 when starting Year 9, 18 when starting Year 10, 19 when starting Year 11 and 20 when starting Year 12. Home Affairs also says children starting in Years 1–4 will generally be granted a visa for no more than 3 years.

Welfare arrangements for under-18s

• CAAW (Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare): the school approves the accommodation and welfare arrangements and issues the CAAW. It must cover at least the CoE period plus 7 days, or until the student turns 18. The student cannot arrive before the welfare start date.
• Nominated guardian: attach Form 157N. The guardian must be a parent, a person with custody, or a relative aged 21 or older nominated in writing by a parent. If the guardian applies for a 590 visa, both applications should be lodged at the same time.

Visa cost and the 2 October 2026 rules

School students fall under "All other students" in the Home Affairs price list: AUD 2,500 for the main applicant, and a subsequent temporary application charge of AUD 700 may apply if lodged in Australia. Secondary exchange students (with an AASES form) pay AUD 0. From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applications must be lodged outside Australia. Holders of visas such as Visitor (600), ETA (601) and eVisitor (651) cannot apply for a Student visa in Australia and must be outside Australia when it is granted. Current Student visa holders applying for primary or secondary school studies are one of the exemption categories.

5. Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) for parents

The 590 visa lets a parent come to Australia to care for a Student visa holder under 18. According to Home Affairs:

• You must be the student's parent, custodian or a relative aged 21 or older, provide accommodation, welfare and other support, and show enough money and adequate health insurance.
• You cannot work. You can study ELICOS for less than 20 hours a week, or other study or training for up to 3 months.
• You generally cannot leave Australia without the student unless alternative welfare arrangements are in place.
• The visa costs AUD 2,500 for the main applicant. Children under 6 can be included with a statement of compelling and compassionate circumstances or other supporting letters; children aged 6 or older must apply for their own Student visa.

For funds, the 590 page lists AUD 29,710 in 12-month living costs for the guardian and about AUD 2,000 per person for travel, plus 12 months of the student's fees and living costs. Using QLD 2027 Years 7–10 as an example: 17,176 tuition + 29,710 each for student and parent + 4,000 travel for two = about AUD 80,596. This is a reference figure based on the official method, not actual spending. Alternatively, a non-travelling spouse can show an annual income of at least AUD 102,500.

6. OSHC is compulsory

Student visa holders must hold OSHC from an approved Australian insurer for their whole stay, and cover must start before arrival; you may be refused entry without it. Premiums depend on the insurer and policy length. Programme examples: NSW AUD 821 for 12 months (2027), SA AUD 905 for 12 months (as at 30 September 2026), EQI AUD 184 for 3 months (from 30 June 2026) and VIC via Medibank from AUD 675 a year. Parents on a 590 visa need adequate health insurance.

7. Tips for families outside Asia

• Travel costs in your funds: Home Affairs sets travel amounts by where you apply from: AUD 2,500 from East or Southern Africa, AUD 3,000 from West Africa and AUD 2,000 from anywhere else outside Australia, which includes Latin America.
• Check your document list by passport: enter your passport country and school in the Document Checklist Tool to see what financial and English evidence is needed. It is routinely updated on 31 March and 30 September, so check again before lodging.
• Do not plan to switch onshore: visiting on a Visitor visa or eVisitor to tour schools is fine, but the Student and Guardian visas must be lodged from outside Australia.
• Term dates: the Australian school year starts around late January or early February (for example, SA Term 1 2027 starts on 27 January), which is mid-year for Northern Hemisphere school calendars.

8. Step-by-step application

1. Choose a state and school type, and set a budget using the tables above.
2. Apply to the state programme or private school, accept the offer and pay fees.
3. Arrange welfare: a CAAW from the school, or a parent as guardian via Form 157N.
4. Buy OSHC and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
5. Check the Document Checklist Tool and lodge the 500 visa from outside Australia (with the parent's 590 at the same time, if applicable).
6. Complete health checks and biometrics if asked, then arrive no earlier than the CAAW and OSHC start dates.

FAQ

Q1: How much is government high school tuition for international students in 2027?

For Years 11–12 in 2027, state websites list AUD 23,100 (VIC), AUD 21,000 (NSW), AUD 19,416 (QLD) and AUD 18,080 (SA). WA had published only its 2026 fee of AUD 18,980 as of 2026-11-14.

Q2: How old must my child be for a school Student visa?

At least 6, and younger than 17 when starting Year 9, 18 when starting Year 10, 19 when starting Year 11 and 20 when starting Year 12.

Q3: Can a parent on a 590 visa work in Australia?

No. A 590 holder cannot work and can only study ELICOS for less than 20 hours a week, or other study or training for up to 3 months.

Q4: Can we apply for the Student visa while visiting Australia on a Visitor visa?

Not from 2 October 2026. Visitor, ETA and eVisitor holders cannot lodge a 500 or 590 in Australia and must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Q5: Is OSHC compulsory, and how much does it cost?

Yes, Student visa holders need OSHC for their whole stay, starting before arrival. The price depends on the insurer and policy length; for example, NSW lists AUD 821 for 12 months in 2027.

Further Reading

• 2026 Australian Student Visa Changes | Onshore Application Limits, Family Rules, Transfers and Fees from 2 October
• Study in Australia 2026–27: Cities and Living Costs Compared
• 2026 Student Visa Reform: Financial Capacity Models and Genuine Student (GS) Changes

Sources

• Study Victoria | School Fees – International Student Program, accessed 2026-11-15
• NSW Department of Education International | International Students Program Fees, accessed 2026-11-14
• Education Queensland International | Fees, accessed 2026-11-14
• WA Department of Education | Tuition fees – Schools International WA, accessed 2026-11-14
• SA International Education Services | 2027 Fee Schedule – International Student Program, accessed 2026-11-14
• The Knox School | International Student Fees, accessed 2026-11-14
• Yarra Valley Grammar | Overseas Student Tuition Fees, accessed 2026-11-14
• Department of Home Affairs | Student visa (subclass 500), accessed 2026-11-14
• Department of Home Affairs | Welfare arrangements for students under 18, accessed 2026-11-14
• Department of Home Affairs | Student Guardian visa (subclass 590), accessed 2026-11-14
• Department of Home Affairs | Changes to Student visa application rules (500 and 590), accessed 2026-11-14
• Department of Home Affairs | Current visa pricing, accessed 2026-11-14
• Department of Home Affairs | Document Checklist Tool, accessed 2026-11-14

Disclaimer: 1. This article is general information only and is not migration or legal advice. 2. We have a qualified education agent counsellor (QEAC #2822) who can help with study planning, but visa decisions rest with the Australian Government. 3. Figures and rules are as shown on official pages accessed on 2026-11-14. 4. Course details, fees, start dates, and migration policies are subject to change. Please check the latest announcements from the school and the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
For personalised study or migration planning, please contact our professional advisory team.
Registered Migration Agent MARA: 2519162
Qualified Education Agent Counsellor QEAC: 2822