Dependant schooling

International students' school-age children who come to Western Australia must attend school while residing in Western Australia and must be enrolled in either a government (public) or non-government (private) school. It is important that you are aware of the conditions regarding dependant schooling before you arrive in Australia.

Both public and private schools require payment of fees. Fees and access to the schooling system vary, depending on your level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate) and visa class.

Please see the information below and important links to ensure you are well informed on the processes for visa, placement in schools, the school fees and the forms and documentation required to enrol your child in school.

General Information

The Western Australian Government agency TAFE International WA (TIWA) is responsible for placing international students' children in government schools.

The TIWA website provides information about the educational and school structure, school fees, and charges in Western Australia. It is important that you read through the information below and on the TIWA website so you are aware of the conditions for dependant schooling in WA before you arrive in Australia.

TIWA school placement rules vary depending on visa categories because of Western Australian law and government policy. It is important you know your visa class to determine your child's access to the public school system.

TIWA endeavour to place children in a school with spare capacity, and as close as possible to where they’re living. However, there is a high demand for places in public schools in WA and it may not be possible to place your dependants in schools closest to your home. Also, in some locations it is hard to place your child close by.

It is important to consider your travel to university and your child’s travel to school. Your child may need to travel on public transport if you do not have independent transportation.

A change of school request will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Important update: Tuition fee changes for dependants of Master of Coursework students

What are the changes to the fee waivers and when will they take effect?

From 30 November 2026, dependants (children) of Master by Coursework postgraduate students (500 visa subclass) will no longer be qualify* for the international tuition fee waiver when enrolling in a Western Australian Government School. They will instead be required to enrol as full fee-paying overseas students.

Eligibility of the fee waiver is determined by the date the Department of Education (DoE) issues the Confirmation of Placement (CoP) for your dependant.

Fee waiver entitlements will continue for students issued a Fee Waiver CoP before 30 November 2026, even if they commence school after this date.

If the child/children are already enrolled in school under a fee waiver arrangement, the fee waiver will continue for the duration of the parent's Master by Coursework studies, including any approved extensions.

For siblings of students with an existing Master by Coursework fee waiver entitlement, DoE will honour the fee waiver entitlement for siblings enrolling at a later date.

*The 30 November 2026 cut-off does not affect dependants who are the recipient of the following scholarships:

AusAID scholarship
Full scholarship awarded by the Commonwealth of Australia to a person who, because of the scholarship is permitted under a law of the Commonwealth to reside in Australia
Full scholarship awarded by The University of Western Australia

Dependants of Masters by Research or PhD students are eligible for tuition fee waiver and are not affected by the changes. They are required to pay other contributions and charges that apply to all WA Government Schools.

I’m a Master by Coursework student, are my dependants eligible for the tuition fee waiver?

If your dependant is already enrolled in a WA Government School under a fee waiver arrangement, this will continue for the duration of your Master by Coursework studies, including any approved extensions.
If you commenced your Master by Coursework studies prior to the announcement of this change, but have not yet applied for your dependant's Confirmation of Placement, please note that eligibility for the fee waiver is not automatically retained, it depends on your dependant's CoP being issued before 30 November 2026. Students in this position are strongly advised to submit the application as soon as possible.
If your dependant’s CoP is issued after 30 November 2026, your child will be required to enrol as full fee-paying overseas student. The updated fee entitlement information will be clearly noted on all CoPs issued from this date.

English language requirements

UWA highly recommends that you commence your child's English language development prior to arrival in Australia.

If your child cannot speak English sufficiently well the school can require that they attend an intensive English Language course. In this case, you will need to pay between $1500 to $3000 per child.

For further information, please read TIWA English Language Requirements.

Dependants with special needs

If your child has special needs (that is, learning difficulties or a disability) they may be required to attend a school designed to meet their specific needs.

Fees for disability support may be significant and it is advised that you disclose your child's requirements prior to arrival.

Fees

You can visit the WA Government Schools website for information about tuition fees. Your child is not permitted to enrol at a school until the initial payment is made and the Authority to Enrol Letter has been issued.

In addition to tuition fees (which are waived for certain scholarship holders, Masters (by Research) and PhD students) there are other fees and expenses that need to be paid by all students. These may include a Voluntary Fee.

You are expected to pay these fees directly to the school as they provide value-added resources to your child's school. These charges are approximately $A60 per year, per child, for primary school and between $A235 - 500 for secondary school students.

Note: All fees are reviewed annually and fee increases will be published. You will also need to pay for additional items such as uniforms, books, excursions, sporting events and even may need to lease or purchase a notebook computer.

Age and your child's schooling year

Your child’s age and commencement periods:

Kindergarten is for children turning four years old by 30 June of the year they start Kindy (not compulsory).
Pre-primary is for children turning five years old by 30 June of the year they start pre-primary.
Year 1 is for children turning six years old by 30 June of the year they start Year 1.
Year 2 is for children turning seven years old by 30 June of the year they start Year 2.
Year 3 is for children turning eight years old by 30 June of the year they start Year 3.
Year 4 is for children turning nine years old by 30 June of the year they start Year 4.
Year 5 is for children turning 10 years old by 30 June of the year they start Year 5.
Year 6 is for children turning 11 years old by 30 June of the year they start Year 6.

You can find out what year your children need to start school by using the Department of Education's school age calculator.

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Application process

Before you arrive

Before your dependant arrives in Perth, you must contact TIWA at admissions.tiwa@dtwd.wa.gov.au to request a Confirmation of Placement (CoP) letter. The CoP letter is needed when you apply for your dependant's visa.

You will need to provide:

a copy of the child/children's passport details page
a copy of the Primary Visa Holder's passport details page
a copy of the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) for the Primary Visa Holder (UWA student).

Note: The Confirmation of Placement does not guarantee you an enrolment in a public primary or secondary school.

Documents to bring to Australia

It is essential to bring your dependant's:

Immunisation records - must show your child’s full name and date of birth, vaccine name/dose, date of vaccination (day/month/year), and clinic/provider details (batch/lot number if available).
- Records not in English must be translated by a professional translator.
- Note: Overseas records alone are not accepted for school enrolment. You’ll need an Australian vaccination provider to record valid doses on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), then download an Immunisation History Statement for the school. See [Services Australia – Immunisation history statements].
Birth certificates
Latest original school report and copies translated into English by a professional translator.

For information on the process and the required documentation, see the TIWA website.

After you arrive

On arrival, to request a place for your dependant in a Western Australia public primary or secondary school, please get in touch with the International Student Support office or email schooling-ic@uwa.edu.au, to find out how to start the application.

You will be provided with a link to an online form where you submit the application and the supporting documents.

Supporting documents to submit in the application:

Visa details for both you and your children
Passport details for both you and your children
Your children’s immunisation records and birth certificates
Your child’s latest original academic report (translated into English by a professional translator)
Long-term Perth Residential/Tenancy Agreement.

The processing time for an outcome on your child's placement is minimum 8 to 12 weeks after application before the Confirmation of School Placement is issued.

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Conditions

Scholarship holders

Certain scholarship holders are eligible for the same enrolment entitlement as local children.

If you're in receipt of one of these scholarships, please email schooling-ic@uwa.edu.au or contact the International Student Sponsored team to commence the school placement process.

Scholarships that also sponsor dependant children

Master’s or PhD students (visa class 500 or 573 and 574) who have a scholarship that also sponsors their dependant children, are required to pay the mainstream tuition fee for overseas fee paying students.

You will also need to pay school contributions and charges, and any intensive English or specialist disability services as assessed by the school.

Postgraduate students

Masters (by Research) and PhD students (visa class 500, 573 or 574):

You may be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
Other fees, as mentioned above, are payable. This may include voluntary and other direct school expenditure requirements such as uniforms, etc.
You need to be enrolled in your course for the tuition fee waiver to apply.
If you discontinue, withdraw, or your enrolment in your course is cancelled, UWA will notify TIWA and you will become liable for mainstream tuition fees for your dependants’ enrolment.

Undergraduate students

Bachelor’s degree students (visa class 500, 570, 572 or 573):

Your child/children are not eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
Your child/children will need to be enrolled as full-fee paying overseas students for the duration of your visa.
You will need to liaise with TIWA to organise your child/children’s school placement.

Pathway students on preliminary courses

Students undertaking preliminary courses before the Masters (by Research) or PhD Program (e.g. an English language program, Graduate Diploma or Bachelor's degree):

Your child/children will need to be enrolled as full-fee paying overseas students until you are formally enrolled in the Masters (by Research) or PhD at UWA.
You may contact International Student Support team to discuss your options.

Other conditions

Kindergarten

In Western Australia, Kindergarten is not a compulsory school year and therefore, kindergarten placements may not be given as high priority by TIWA as placements for compulsory schooling.

School availability

Places for international students are not available at all public schools, this includes high school for Year 7 to 12.

Placement is not available at the following senior schools:

Churchlands Senior High School
Perth Modern School
Rossmoyne Senior High School
Shenton College
Willetton Senior High School
John Curtin College of the Arts
Primary School Placement.

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For further information on the process, fees, and required documentation, please visit TIWA’s website.

Get in touch

International student support team

If you have any questions please email us or contact the International Student Support team.

International student support team

Dependant schooling

On this page

General Information

Important update: Tuition fee changes for dependants of Master of Coursework students

English language requirements

Dependants with special needs

Fees

Age and your child's schooling year

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Application process

Before you arrive

Documents to bring to Australia

After you arrive

Supporting documents to submit in the application:

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Conditions

Kindergarten

School availability

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Get in touch

International student support team

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English language requirements

Dependants with special needs

Fees

Age and your child's schooling year

Before you arrive

Documents to bring to Australia

After you arrive

Supporting documents to submit in the application:

Kindergarten

School availability

Get in touch

International student support team