Independent or private schools are well established, some with very long histories. Many are considered by Australian families to be very prestigious. Tuition fees range from approximately AUD$18,000 to approximately AUD$40,000 per year. Higher fees may mean that such schools are able to provide a wider range of specialist programs and contemporary facilities.

• Some schools have small student populations of around 500 students while others are larger with around 3000 students.
• Many have religious affiliations but many are also secular. All schools enrol students from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Choices of school type include girls, boys, coeducational schools. Some schools offer parallel learning for boys and girls in middle school years.
• Schools provide either boarding or homestay accommodation for international students with some schools providing both boarding and homestay accommodation.
• Private schools usually limit the number of international students to up to approximately 10 per cent of the total student population and some only have small numbers of around 10-30 international students.
• Some private schools also provide intensive English language programs within the school while others have relationships with English language colleges.
• Private schools are also subject to Australian and state government regulations.

The governments in each Australian State or Territory have international student programs with students enrolled in nominated government or public schools. Government schools include select entry schools in some States with many students often achieving high academic outcomes upon completion of secondary school.  Tuition fees are approximately AUD$14,000-$18,000 per year

Most government schools are coeducational and provide only homestay accommodation.

Government schools also provide a quality pathway for international students.

There are two choices for international students to consider – (1) Intensive English language programs (ELICOS) delivered by private English language colleges or (2) English language preparation programs within a school.

English Language Colleges

• English language colleges are available in major cities in each state and many regional locations.
• In Australia, intensive English language programs are referred to as English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).
• Many English language colleges have High School Preparation programs which are specifically designed to prepare international students for studying in Australian schools. These are usually full time intensive courses that students attend before they commence at a school.
• International students should complete an AEAS Test to determine the number of weeks intensive English language they should study before commencing at their school.
• Many Australian schools have preferred relationships with English language colleges.
• International students may contact an English language college directly or their preferred Australian school for advice.

English Language Programs in Schools

• Some schools provide their own intensive English program (ELICOS) within their school.
• Some schools provide an English language preparation program with students attending English language classes for less than 20 hours per week and other general classes with local and international students.
• The majority of Australian schools also offer ESL (English as Second Language) or EAL (English as an Additional Language) for between two to ten hours per week.
• International students should check with their preferred school on the type of English language support available and the number of hours each week they can access.