2026 cohort · ESOS-aligned
Sending an international student to an Australian private school
Indicative all-in cost: $60,000–$130,000/year (tuition + boarding + visa + insurance + fees). Plus the CRICOS, ESOS Act + guardian-visa context most school websites don't lay out clearly.
All-in annual cost breakdown
Indicative ranges for a Year 12 international student. Actual figures vary by school + state — request the school's published international fee schedule before committing.
| Cost component | Annual range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Year 12) | $40,000 – $70,000 | International tuition is typically 30-50% above domestic. Top boarding schools $60-70k. |
| Boarding | $25,000 – $50,000 | On top of tuition. Includes meals, accommodation, weekend programs. |
| Application fee | $300 – $500 | Non-refundable. Some schools waive for early applications. |
| Enrolment confirmation deposit | $3,000 – $10,000 | Refunded against first term tuition. |
| Guardian fee (under 18, in lieu of family) | $500 – $2,000/term | Required if parents not on guardian visa. Some schools provide; others outsource. |
| Capital levy | $1,000 – $5,000/year | Funds school infrastructure projects. Often higher for international students. |
| Mandatory health insurance (OSHC) | $500 – $700/year | Required for visa. School often arranges. |
| Uniform + supplies | $2,000 – $4,000 first year | Full kit including formal, sport, swim. Annual replacement $500-1,000. |
| Excursions + camps | $1,500 – $3,500/year | Often invoiced separately each term. |
Visa, CRICOS + ESOS framework
Subclass 500 (Student Visa)
Required for any student over 6 weeks. Visa duration matches CRICOS-registered course (e.g., Year 7-12 = 6 years).
CRICOS registration
School must be CRICOS-registered to enrol overseas students. Verify at cricos.education.gov.au before paying.
ESOS Act compliance
All CRICOS schools governed by Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000. Provides refund protection + complaints framework.
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Issued after deposit paid. Required for visa application. Typical 4-12 week processing.
Welfare arrangements
Students under 18 require either (a) a parent/relative on guardian visa, (b) school-approved homestay, or (c) school-approved guardian. School handles approval.
OSHC
Overseas Student Health Cover required for entire visa duration. Major providers: Medibank OSHC, Allianz Care, Bupa OSHC.
Education agents by region
Most international placements at Australian private schools come through licensed education agents. Agent commission is typically 10–15% of Year 1 tuition + sometimes a yearly trailing commission. Families paying via agent are not charged the commission directly — it's absorbed by the school.
Greater China (Mainland, HK, Taiwan)
Heavy agent presence. Most international students arrive via 1 of 30 major Beijing/Shanghai/HK agents. Agent commission typically 10-15% of Year 1 tuition.
South-East Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand)
Mix of agents + direct family contact. Singapore + Malaysia families often direct.
India + Sub-continent
Growing agent market. Largely undergraduate-focused; secondary student numbers smaller.
Pacific Islands + PNG
Often direct via family/community connections. Specific scholarship pathways exist (Boarding Bursary Scholarship, Pacific Islands Trade Program).
NZ
No visa required. Direct family contact. Often middle-Year-7 transfers.
Verify any agent's credentials at PIER (Professional International Education Recruitment) registry before committing — pier.com.au.
Per-school international student data
Each school's exact international fee schedule, CRICOS registration number + admissions contact is on their website. Most major Australian independents have a dedicated International Admissions team distinct from domestic.
Each provider page on this site links to the school's website. A consolidated international fee + CRICOS database across our 215 schools is on our 2026 release roadmap.
For boarding-specific guidance (the most common international pathway), see our boarding schools guide.