Public school fees for children on temporary visas — state systems and how to check - Central Coast

Public school fees for children on temporary visas — how states differ

Whether a child of a temporary visa family (482, 485 and so on) pays tuition fees at a public school depends on the state and visa subclass. This guide covers how to check, and how to enrol and ask about fee relief.

Overview — public school fees depend on the state and the visa

Even if a child of a temporary visa family attends a public school, a temporary resident tuition fee set by the state education department may apply. The key point is that whether a fee applies depends on the state and your child's visa subclass (for example, 482). For the same 482 family, WA charges AUD 4,000 per family per year (checked October 2026), while QLD's official subclass table lists tuition fees for the 482 and 485 as 'No'. If your child is of compulsory school age, attending school is compulsory, so do not leave a fee problem unresolved. Check with the state education department.

Two things to check first: state and visa

Start with (1) which state's public school it is and (2) the subclass and type of your child's visa (primary applicant, dependant, visitor and so on). Some states set out an application fee and an annual tuition fee separately. Amounts change every year, so this guide explains the structure (who is covered, exemptions, relief and payment) rather than amounts. It does not cover private school fees or the tuition fees of the primary applicant on a 500 visa.

Temporary resident fees by state — different contact points

Each state operates its own policy on public school fees, so contact points and criteria differ. The contact point is the Temporary Residents Program (TRP) in NSW, the International Student Program (ISP) in VIC, DEi (EQI) in QLD, TAFE International WA (TIWA) in WA and TGEI in TAS. NT has a fee table by visa, ACT has a process for applying for exemptions and relief, and SA has separate tuition fee guidance for 482 families (NT, ACT and SA are based on archived versions).

The same 482 family, different results by state

WA charges AUD 4,000 per family per year regardless of the number of children (Pre-primary to Year 12, checked October 2026). The QLD table marks the Authority to Enrol, application fee and tuition fee all as 'No' for the 482 and 485. The TAS table (2025 edition) shows the 482 as 'Yes' for the Authority to Enrol and the application fee and 'No' for tuition fees, with school levies separate. SA has tuition fees with an income criterion for 482 families (based on the archived version from December 2025).

State contact points — the state education department handles applications, invoices and the issuing of the Authority to Enrol

How to check if fees or exemptions apply

Whether a fee applies depends on your child's visa subclass and type (primary applicant, dependant, visitor and so on), and each state education department makes the decision. If your family is on a student visa, check your visa conditions in VEVO (see the guide on checking visa conditions). Work through the three checks below in order.

Check your child's visa — find the subclass on the visa grant notice or in VEVO
Look up the state's official table — the NSW and QLD subclass tables, the VIC Visa Fee Table and the TAS table

Four cases by visa type

These cases come from the states' official wording. Results differ by state and cannot be generalised, so check your child's subclass directly in the relevant state's table.

Children of 482 visa families

Results differ by state. WA charges AUD 4,000 per family per year (checked October 2026). The QLD table shows tuition fees as 'No'. The TAS table (2025 edition) shows 'Yes' for the Authority to Enrol and application fee, 'No' for tuition fees, with school levies separate. SA has tuition fees with an income criterion (archived version).

485 graduate visa families

The QLD table lists tuition fees for the 485 as 'No', but TAS Visas at a Glance (2025 edition) shows 50% of the TRP rate for the 485, 491 and 494. Rates can change, so check them yourself.

Dependent children of 500 student visa holders

Some states (NSW and WA) require a Confirmation of Placement from the state contact point as a document for the dependant visa application, and TAS issues one if needed. From 1 January 2027, WA will end the tuition fee exemption for Master by Coursework families (existing exempt families and others keep it; check again after January 2027).

Bridging and visitor visa families

A bridging visa is generally assessed on the previous substantive visa (QLD, WA, TAS). However, the TAS table (2025 edition) lists Bridging E 051 separately, with tuition fees as 'No', and says bridging visa holders who can present a receipt for lodging a refugee, protection or humanitarian visa application may be exempt from tuition fees, and advises contacting TGEI. The QLD policy also names visitor visas as covered, and TAS describes study on a visitor visa as optional, up to 3 months, at the full rate.

Tips for enrolling and paying

If fees apply, the usual order is: apply at the state contact point → invoice and payment → Authority to Enrol issued → school enrolment. The order differs by state, though. For example, 482 families in WA enrol directly at the local public school and pay on a TIWA invoice. Follow the guidance of the relevant state.

Find out first whether you need an Authority to Enrol — on a visa that requires one, your child cannot attend school before it is issued (QLD, TAS and WA guidance)
Prepare documents — you may be asked for the parents' and child's passports, current and previous visa documents, proof of address and so on (WA and TAS guidance)

Common myths and mistakes

These are points in the official wording that are easy to misunderstand. Check them so that you do not miss an invoice or an enrolment step.

The myth that "a bridging visa continues the existing enrolment period" — WA says a bridging visa does not extend enrolment entitlements granted for a set period, and whether fees apply is based on the previous substantive visa.
The myth that "if tuition fees do not apply, there are no costs" — school-level costs such as uniforms, textbooks and excursions are separate (QLD policy; school levies in TAS).

Useful official links

Frequently Asked Questions

Do children on temporary visas pay public school fees?▾

It depends on the state and your child's visa subclass. Even 482 and 485 families get different results by state. If fees apply, you usually go through the state education department's contact point (invoice, payment, Authority to Enrol) before your child starts school. Some families, such as 482 families in WA, enrol directly at the local public school and then receive an invoice (Fee Advice). The state education department decides. Children of compulsory school age must attend school. However, under visa condition 8201, study on a visitor visa is limited to a maximum of 3 months (QLD and TAS guidance), and TAS describes study on a visitor visa as optional. Visitor visa families should check their state's criteria on the official website.

Do 482 visa families have to pay tuition fees?▾

It depends on the state. WA charges AUD 4,000 per family per year, regardless of the number of children (checked October 2026). The QLD subclass table lists tuition fees for the 482 as 'No'. The TAS table (2025 edition) lists tuition fees as 'No' but the Authority to Enrol and application fee as 'Yes'. For other states, check that state's table. Either way, school-level costs are separate.

Do children on a 485 visa pay tuition fees too?▾

It depends on the state. The QLD table lists tuition fees for the 485 as 'No', but TAS shows 50% of the TRP rate for the 485 (based on its 2025 table). For other states, check the subclass table or information page. Rates can change every year.

What about children of postgraduate students on a 500 visa?▾

WA says families of PhD and Masters by Research students are exempt from the general tuition fee for the period of study only, and school contributions and charges are separate. From 1 January 2027, Master by Coursework families will no longer get the exemption (families already exempt, and families issued a Confirmation of Placement by 30 November 2026, keep it; the recommended application deadline is 4 pm on 25 November 2026). This confirmation does not guarantee a school place, so check with TIWA whether it currently applies, and check again after January 2027.

How are tuition fees decided for a family on a bridging visa?▾

It depends on the state. WA applies the previous substantive visa's enrolment conditions to a bridging visa as they are, and states that "A Bridging visa does not extend enrolment entitlements granted for a set period of time". The QLD table decides based on whether the previous substantive visa was liable for tuition fees. TAS also uses the previous substantive visa, but the TAS table (2025 edition) shows Bridging E (051) for protection visa applicants as 'No' for tuition fees, and says bridging visa holders who have a receipt for lodging a refugee, protection or humanitarian visa application may be exempt from tuition fees (the NT table also shows 051 as 'No', based on the archived version). NSW charges bridging visa students an application fee and tuition fees regardless of the visa they applied for, and its default rate is the temporary resident rate; it applies the corresponding rate only where the previous substantive visa was a student visa dependant (500) or an international student in a school course (500), or where a visitor visa holder applied for another visitor visa (September 2026 edition, based on the archived version). For other states, check the official website. If your visa changes to a bridging visa, tell the state contact point (TIWA in WA) straight away and have your visa grant notice and previous visa documents ready.

Can I get fee relief or instalments if I struggle to pay?▾

Each state has its own discretionary process. QLD assesses compassionate and compelling circumstances or financial hardship to decide on instalments or relief. In WA you apply on the basis of combined family income criteria or unexpected circumstances, and in TAS under the Fee Relief Policy. In NSW, the Exemption Review Panel reviews individual exemption requests. All need supporting evidence, and approval is not guaranteed.

What happens to fees already paid if my visa status changes?▾

Each state has its own rules. WA says tuition fees are charged from the start of the school year until the last day of the week in which permanent residency is approved, and you may get a refund, depending on eligibility, if you give the school and TIWA evidence. NSW says it refunds a pro rata amount from the approval date if you change to a fee-exempt category. Tell the state education department and the school straight away.