International Students Program Fees

Summary of fees

Application Fee
2025 Fee
2026 Fee
Application fee (required with submission of application and is non-refundable)    A$300A$300
   
Tuition fees per student per year1
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

Years K to 6 (Primary)

A$15,600

A$17,000

Years 7 to 10 (Junior secondary)

A$16,600

A$18,000

Years 11 and 12 (Senior secondary)

A$19,000

A$20,500

Intensive English Centre

A$8,300 for two terms

A$9,000 for two terms

   
Sibling/Regional discounted
tuition2
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

Years K to 6 (Primary)

A$14,040

A$15,300

Years 7 to 10 (Junior secondary)

A$14,940

A$16,200

Years 11 and 12 (Senior secondary)

A$17,100

A$18,450

Intensive English Centre

A$7,470 for two terms

A$8,100 for two terms

   
Other school fees
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

School uniforms

A$300 - A$400

A$350 - A$450

School transfer 3

A$795

A$850

Overseas Student Health Cover 4  (optional)

A$732 for 12 months

A$769 for 12 months

   
Homestay accommodation
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

Parent nomination for homestay

A$430 inspection fee plus A$30 per week monitoring fee5

A$480 inspection fee plus A$40 per week monitoring fee5

Homestay placement

A$430

A$480

Homestay fee

A$450 per week (until 30 June 2025)

A$470 per week (from 1 July 2025)

A$520 per week (See A$3,500 tuition fee discount offer for homestay students)

Special dietary requirement

- gluten free, vegan, halal, kosher, Targeted Sports Program (this fee may be charged to cover additional costs to the host family)

$40 per week

$50 per week

   
Sydney airport transfer to homestay
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area

A$225

A$235

Wollongong

A$310

A$325

Central Coast

A$310

A$325

Newcastle

A$370

A$390

  1. Tuition fees cover:
    - the cost of tuition at school, including all subject fees, textbook hire and software programs for specific subjects required by the school
    - compulsory excursions up to $300 per year
    - voluntary and/or Parents & Citizens contributions.
  2. A 10% discount applies on tuition fees for enrolments of the second and subsequent siblings. The first sibling must be an international student currently enrolled in a NSW government school. Where there are multiple new applicants from the same family, the eldest child will be considered as the first applicant and the discount applies to all subsequent children. The discount applies to the total period of time siblings are concurrently enrolled in NSW government schools. Siblings must have at least one parent in common.
    A10% discount applies to tuition fees for regional enrolments (subject to availability of homestay in particular regions). Schools outside greater Sydney or Wollongong are considered regional. The discount applies to the total period of time students are enrolled in regional NSW government schools.
    Only one of the two discounts above can be applicable at any point in time.
    The discount does not apply to the Temporary Residents Program.
  3. School transfer fee applies to students who request a change of school after a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) has been issued.
  4. Medibank Private is DE International’s preferred supplier for Overseas Student Health Cover (OHSC). Medibank Private updates its rates on an annual basis. Rates vary with the duration of cover required. More information on Medibank OSHC.
  5. The monitoring fee is paid upfront on an annual basis.

Study Abroad Program

Summary of fees

Application Fee
2025 Fee
2026 Fee
(Required with submission of application and is non-refundable) A$300A$300
   
Tuition fees per student per year1  
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

Years 7 to 10 (Junior secondary)

A$16,600

A$18,000

Years 11 and 12 (Senior secondary)

A$19,000

A$20,500

   
Sibling/Regional discounted tuition2 
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

Years 7 to 10 (Junior secondary)

A$14,940

A$16,200

Years 11 and 12 (Senior secondary)

A$17,100

A$18,450

   
Other school fees
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

School uniforms

A$300 - A$400

A$350 - A$450

School transfer 3

A$795

A$850

Overseas Student Health Cover 4 (optional)

A$732 for 12 months

A$769 for 12 months

   
Homestay accommodation
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

Parent nomination for homestay

A$430 inspection fee plus A$30 per week monitoring fee5

A$480 inspection fee plus A$40 per week monitoring fee5

Homestay placement

A$430

A$480

Homestay fee

A$450 per week (until 30 June 2025)

A$470 per week (from 1 July 2025)

A$520 per week (See A$1,750 tuition fee discount offer for homestay students)

Special dietary requirement - gluten free, vegan, halal, kosher, Targeted Sports Program (this fee may be charged to cover additional costs to the host family)

$40 per week

$50 per week

   
Sydney airport transfer to homestay
2025 Fees
2026 Fees

Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area

A$225

A$235

Wollongong

A$310

A$325

Central Coast

A$310

A$325

Newcastle

A$370

A$390

  1. Tuition fees cover:
    - the cost of tuition at school, including all subject fees, textbook hire and software programs for specific subjects required by the school
    - compulsory excursions up to $300 per year
    - voluntary and/or Parents & Citizens contributions.
  2. A 10% discount applies on tuition fees for enrolments of the second and subsequent siblings. The first sibling must be an international student currently enrolled in a NSW government school. Where there are multiple new applicants from the same family, the eldest child will be considered as the first applicant and the discount applies to all subsequent children. The discount applies to the total period of time siblings are concurrently enrolled in NSW government schools. Siblings must have at least one parent in common.
    A 10% discount applies to tuition fees for regional enrolments (subject to availability of homestay in particular regions). Schools outside greater Sydney or Wollongong are considered regional. The discount applies to the total period of time students are enrolled in regional NSW government schools.
    Only one of the two discounts above can be applicable at any point in time.
    The discount does not apply to the Temporary Residents Program.
  3. School transfer fee applies to students who request a change of school after a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) has been issued.
  4. Medibank Private is DE International’s preferred supplier for Overseas Student Health Cover (OHSC). Medibank Private updates its rates on an annual basis. Rates vary with the duration of cover required. More information on Medibank OSHC.
  5. The monitoring fee is paid upfront on an annual basis.

2026 tuition fee discount for standard homestay students

New students enrolling through the International Students Program and living in a standard homestay between 1 January to 31 December 2026 will receive a one-off $3,500 discount on their tuition fees.

New students enrolling through the Study Abroad program and living in a standard homestay between 1 January to 31 December 2026 will receive a one-off $1,750 discount on their tuition fees.

This discount is not applicable for students residing with a parent nominated homestay.

Changes to fees

The NSW Department of Education reserves the right to review its fees. If tuition fees are increased you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. If you defer the commencement date of your course, you will be required to pay the fees which apply at your new commencement date.

Living costs

The Department of Home Affairs has estimated annual living costs as A$29,710.  As part of the student visa application process students must demonstrate that they have access to sufficient funds to cover both tuition and living costs for the duration of their studies.

Refund policy

For the full refund policy, refund procedure, and complaints procedure please refer to the Terms and Conditions.

Temporary Residents Program fees

Most temporary resident students pay the temporary resident administration fee and education fee to enrol in a NSW government school. Visit our Education Fee fact sheet for more information.

Fee exemption

If the temporary resident student has a parent or step-parent who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a fee exemption. Visit our Link to an Australian citizen or permanent resident fact sheet for more information.

The Exemption Review Panel considers individual appeals for exemption from the education fee for low-income families. Visit the Application for Fee Exemption based on low income for more information.

Fee refund

Your child may be entitled to a pro-rata refund of the education fee if:

  • their visa category changes to a fee exempt category
  • their visa is cancelled
  • their application to enrol is rejected or,
  • they leave school before the expiry of their paid period of enrolment.

Visit the Application for refund of the Temporary Residents Program education fee for more information.

Study Tours program fees

The cost of a study tour will vary based on a number of factors such as:

  • the size of the group
  • the number of days
  • the location of the host school
  • the types of activities and excursions to be included
  • the study tour itinerary.

Study tours can only be booked through registered study tours operators. Locate a Study Tours agent by clicking the link below.Find an Agent page

From 1 July 2024, Visitor visa holders will be unable to apply for a Student visa while in Australia.

Find out more from the Department of Home Affairs (external link)

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Virtual study tours for student and adult groups now available!

Find out more

Pre-arrival webinars for students commencing in Term 3 2025 are now open for registrations.

Find out more and register

Become a homestay family for a high school student from overseas!

Find out how

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Find a school in the right location to meet your study and lifestyle needs

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Due to scheduled maintenance, our online application portal will not be available from 5:00 pm (AEST) Friday 6 June 2025 until 6:00 pm (AEST) Monday 9 June 2025. 

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience.

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Media Centre

Term 3 2025 Pre-arrival webinars

Pre-arrival webinars for students commencing at NSW government schools in Term 3 2025.

Read more about Term 3 2025 Pre-arrival webinars

Term 2 2025 Pre-arrival webinars

Pre-arrival webinars for students commencing at NSW government schools in Term 2 2025.

Read more about Term 2 2025 Pre-arrival webinars

Awards spotlight international student achievement and staff excellence

The NSW Department of Education hosted its annual NSW Government Schools International Student Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 11 March 2025 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. The awards recognise the remarkable achievements and contributions of international students studying in NSW government schools and outstanding work by schools and staff in supporting them.

Read more about Awards spotlight international student achievement and staff excellence

Events

AEAS - Australian Primary and Secondary School Study Abroad Fair - Taiwan (Taipei)

21 June 2025, 11 am - 4 pm.

An event for prospective students and families interested in study in NSW Government Schools, Australia.

This event will be held at Grand Hyatt Taipei, Jun Yu 1 (near the east side door), No. 2, Songshou Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City.

Kokos - 50th COEX Study Abroad Expo - South Korea (Seoul)

21-22 June 2025, 12 - 5 pm

An event for prospective students and families interested in study in NSW Government Schools, Australia.

This event will be held at COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, 3rd floor 308.

AEAS - Australian Schools Exhibition - Hong Kong

22 June 12 - 5 pm

An event for prospective students and families interested in study in NSW Government Schools, Australia.

This event will be held at Shanghai Room, Level 8, Cordis Hotel Mongkok, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok (Mongkok MTR Exit C3).

See more events