The Temporary Residents Program provides advice and support for the enrolment of temporary residents in NSW government schools. The program accepts enrolment in primary school and high school from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Your child will have a rich and rewarding learning experience. NSW Government Schools is the largest education network in Australia with over 2,200 primary and high schools offering secure, safe and dynamic learning environments.
Temporary residents must hold a valid visa and meet the General conditions of enrolment to enrol in a NSW government school.
For enrolment conditions of each visa subclass, refer to the Visa subclasses and enrolment conditions fact sheet.
The Temporary Residents Program enrols school-aged children who are:
Children cannot enrol through the Temporary Residents Program if they are international students holding visa subclass 500P or 571P, part of a group of students who attend NSW schools on an advertised tour, or a visitor visa holder who is not accompanied by a parent, or not staying with a direct relative.
Visit the TRP Application Process for more information
The Temporary Residents Program enrols school-aged children at any time during the school year.
Kindergarten to Year 6
Years 7 to 10
Years 11 to 12
Our school year consists of four terms
NSW Government Schools is the largest education network in Australia with over 2,200 primary and high schools offering secure, safe and dynamic learning environments.
All primary schools and the majority of high schools have designated local enrolment areas. Your child may attend their local school based on their residential address or schools may accept enrolments from outside their area if places are available.
Temporary residents are not eligible to enrol in selective high schools including agricultural high schools, the selective component of comprehensive high schools and Opportunity Classes (OC) in primary schools. Visit this link to Find a School.
If your child speaks a language other than English as their first language, learning English is essential for success at school and further education, training and employment.
The New South Wales Department of Education provides English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) support to develop English language competence so your child can fully participate in schooling and independently pursue further education and training. The department provides EAL/D support in primary schools, high schools, Intensive English Centres (IECs) and the Intensive English High School (IEHS). The availability of EAL/D support varies between schools, depending on the number of EAL/D students enrolled.
Visit our English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) fact sheet for more information.
All school-aged students who are less than 18 years of age and who hold a subordinate visitor or temporary resident visa based on a parent’s principal visa, must reside with the parent during any period of enrolment.
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.
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.
Your child may be entitled to a pro-rata refund of the education fee if:
Visit the Application for refund of the Temporary Residents Program education fee for more information.
Temporary residents must hold a valid visa to enrol in a NSW government school.
For enrolment conditions of each visa subclass, refer to the Visa subclasses and enrolment conditions fact sheet.
Application form for an Authority to Enrol:
Application for fee exemption based on low income:
These documents will assist school staff with the enrolment process for temporary resident students.