- What is this policy about?
- This policy sets out the:
- process for establishing fees payable by international fee-paying students, including dependants of temporary residents, who wish to enrol in an ACT public school;
- conditions for visa categories to have exemption status with regard to tuition fees liability;
- context in which a fee waiver may be considered; and
- applicable circumstances for refunds to visa subclass 500 (school sector) overseas students.
- This policy sets out the:
- Policy Statement
- As a registered CRICOS provider, the ACT Education Directorate (Directorate) complies with the legislative framework of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (Clth) 2000 (ESOS Act) and the National Code of Practice 2018 (National Code).
- Section 26 of the Education Act (ACT) 2004 outlines that education in government schools is to be free and no fees are chargeable for it, but this does not apply in relation to people who hold a temporary visa.
- It is a Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs criteria that all temporary visa holders maintain adequate schooling arrangements for school-aged dependants.
- The ACT Education Directorate (Directorate) charges tuition fees to holders of temporary visas on a cost recovery basis calculated on the actual cost of educating a student in an ACT public school for one year in the preschool, primary, high or college sectors.
- The Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development (Minister) endorses tuition fee schedules.
- The Minister, or delegate, determines, on an annual basis, those visa categories that are exempt from paying fees.
- The Minister, or delegate, determines fees waivers, on a case by case basis, where there is demonstrated financial hardship or on humanitarian grounds (including significant adverse change in circumstances after visa grant).
- Who does this policy apply to?
- This policy applies to overseas students who hold visa subclass 500 (school sector) and are enrolled in ACT public schools.
- Context
- Tuition Fees
- Overseas students, including the dependants of temporary residents, who wish to enrol in an ACT public school, are required to pay tuition fees as determined by the Minister or delegate.
- Tuition fees are to be paid in Australian dollars, in advance, for the academic year in which the overseas student is enrolling. Current rates are published on the Directorate website.
- Temporary residents may request a payment plan. Such requests are considered on a case by case basis. This option is not available for visa subclass 500 (school sector) overseas students.
- Fee Exemptions – Appendix A
- In visa categories determined by the Minister, or delegate, as fee exempt there are no tuition fees payable for the dependants of temporary residents to attend an ACT public school.
- The Minister, or delegate, may periodically add or remove visa categories to the exemption list and this is in addition to an annual review.
- Fee Waivers – Appendix B
- In cases of demonstrated financial hardship, or on humanitarian grounds (including significant adverse change in circumstances after visa grant) the Minister, or delegate, may agree to waive fees for a specified period.If there is a legislative reason for the policy, set out the reason/s.
- Fee waivers do not relate to visa subclass 500 (school sector) overseas students, however a refund may be applicable depending on the individualised context.son/s.
- Fee Refunds
- Dependants of temporary residents are eligible for a pro-rata refund of tuition fees from the date that permanent residency is granted.
- The Directorate actions refunds to visa subclass 500 (school sector) overseas students in circumstances consistent with the requirements of the ESOS Act.
- Responsibilities
- International Education Unit (IEU): The IEU is responsible for:
- ensuring tuition fee payments are transacted prior to the overseas student commencing studies;
- processing fee exemption or waiver applications on behalf of the Directorate, to prepare a recommendation for delegate consideration and approval.
- Parents: Parents who hold temporary visas and are seeking enrolment in an ACT public school are responsible for providing the necessary documentation and evidence to support the enrolment of their dependant, including in relation to application for fee exemption or waiver.
- Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development: The Minister is responsible for:
- determining, on a biennial basis, the tuition fees to be charged to temporary visa holders seeking enrolment in ACT public schools;
- approving, or rejecting, fee waivers or exemptions for individual cases.
- Policy Owner: The Executive Branch Manager Universal School Support is responsible for this policy.
- International Education Unit (IEU): The IEU is responsible for:
- Monitoring and Review
- The Policy Owner monitors the policy. This includes an annual scan of operation and review. A full review of the policy will be conducted within a three year period.
- Contact
- For support, contact the IEU on (02) 6205 9178 or email at ieu@act.gov.au.
- Complaints
- Any concerns about the application of this policy or the policy itself, should be raised with:
- the IEU via email at ieu@act.gov.au or by phone on (02) 6205 9178 in the first instance;
- contact the Directorate’s Families and Students, Complaints and Feedback Unit on (02) 6205 5429.
- online at http://www.education.act.gov.au/contact_us.
- see also the Complaints Policy on the Directorate’s website.
- Any concerns about the application of this policy or the policy itself, should be raised with:
- References
- Legislation
- Implementation Documents
- Overseas Students: Fee Waiver Guidelines
- Overseas Students: Fee Refund Guidelines
- Related Policies and Information
- IEU Operations Plan
- IEU Risk Matrix
is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete version of the document, available on the Directorate’s website at http://www.education.act.gov.au/publications_and_policies/school_and_corporate_policies/A-Z/.
Policy Identifier: 00099
Published: June 2020
Policy is current until: June 2023
Implementation Documents:
Related Policies and Information:
- IEU Operations Plan
- IEU Risk Matrix