The NSW Department of Education is committed to meeting ESOS legislative requirements to ensure our students have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding study experience.
Read more about the ESOS Framework here
This program offers students applying for a student visa the opportunity to experience our inclusive school culture, first-class teaching and learning, gain high-level English language skills, and experience an Australian lifestyle.
Students may apply to complete their secondary education in a NSW government school or for up to 2 years of study in primary school.
Students who successfully complete their studies in Year 12 are awarded a Higher School Certificate (HSC) and an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
Go to alphabetical list of schoolsfor profiles of high schools offering the International Student Program.
The NSW Department of Education is committed to meeting ESOS legislative requirements to ensure our students have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding study experience.
Read more about the ESOS Framework here
Students need to:
Students applying for direct entry into junior high school (Years 7-10) must provide one of the following:
Students applying for direct entry into senior high school (Year 11) must provide one of the following:
Students who cannot demonstrate they have met the minimum English levels for direct entry into high school will be required to enrol in a NSW government schools – Intensive English Centre (IEC), as preparation for studying in a NSW government high school.
There are no English language requirements for entry into primary school (Kindergarten to Year 6).
Students may apply for enrolment at the beginning of a school term
Primary school applicants can enrol from Term 1 to Term 4.
High school applicants for Years 7-10 can enrol from Term 1 to Term 4.
Senior high school applicants for Year 11 must enrol in Term 1 or Term 2 only. It is our recommendation to enrol in Year 11 in January to ensure you have the most amount of time to learn the Preliminary HSC curriculum.
Students applying for a package commencing with an enrolment in an Intensive English Centre can enrol from Term 1 to Term 4.
Our Intensive English Centres help prepare students whose English need further development to enrol into a NSW government high school. Students typically need to study 2 terms in an Intensive English Centre before progressing to a NSW government high school where they will receive continued ESL support.
Nominating a parent who will be accompanying the student on a guardian visa is required for Kindergarten to Year 4 and optional for all other year levels
Nominating a direct relative as a carer to be approved by the Department of Home Affairs. Required for Years 5-8 and optional for Years 9-12.
Nominating a distant relative or close family friend as carer to be approved by the NSW Department of Education. Available for Years 9 and above only.
Requesting a homestay placement is available for students in Years 9 and above only.
As part of the student visa application students need to demonstrate that they have purchased compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as insurance to cover the duration of their stay in Australia.
OSHC provides partial reimbursement to students for medical expenses including doctors, specialists and various hospital services.
International students must pay an application fee when submitting an application. A statement of fees is issued by DE International with a letter of offer, stating fees that must be paid in order to accept the offer and to receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Students may choose to pay more than 50% of their tuition fees before the course commences.
International students must meet student visa requirements, including:
Further information on these conditions and other processes for requesting leave, requesting a change to living arrangements or making a complaint or appeal can be found in our Information for International Students handout.
Our schools provide a range of support services to ensure our students settle in, are well supported and achieve their best. These include:
The Australian Government is committed to providing international students with a safe, enjoyable and rewarding study experience in Australia.