Studying at Australian Secondary Schools: Requirements and Tuition Fees

Thanks to its leading education quality, studying at Australian secondary schools has become a top choice for many international students.

But how challenging is it to enroll in an Australian high school? What are the requirements, and what does it cost? Thao & Co. has all the answers for you in this article.

Should You Study at Australian Secondary Schools?

Choosing to study at an Australian secondary school brings a range of benefits:

1. • A diverse and flexible curriculum designed to suit different students’ needs.
2. • Relatively accessible admission requirements, no IELTS certificate needed.
3. • Parents can accompany their children to Australia if the student is under 18 years old.
4. • A strong foundation in English, with the potential to waive English language certification when applying for a university student visa later.
5. • Gain access to an advanced education system and modern teaching facilities.
6. • Participate in career counseling and engaging extracurricular activities, which help you build knowledge and soft skills.
7. • An Australian High School Diploma is a valuable asset that makes it easier for international students to transition into top universities within the country.

Overall, Australia is a good choice for families who want their children to start their overseas education journey early. However, it’s important to carefully consider your long-term goals after graduation and assess your family’s financial readiness to ensure a well-prepared experience.

💡 Also read: Studying for a Master’s Degree in Australia.

Education System for International Students at Australian Secondary Schools

What are high schools called in Australia, and how is the system structured? This is a common question among students considering studying at Australian secondary schools.

The secondary education system in Australia is divided into:

1. • Secondary school: Covers Years 7 to 10 and is part of the compulsory education phase.
2. • Senior secondary school:  Includes Years 11 and 12.

Depending on the school and program, international students may receive one or more of the following qualifications:

➤ Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR): A score ranging from 0.00 to 99.95 that ranks a student’s academic performance compared to peers nationwide. It is commonly used for university admissions.

➤ Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE): The official high school graduation certificate, widely recognized across Australia and internationally.

➤ International Baccalaureate (IB): An international baccalaureate diploma awarded for the IB program (a globally recognized curriculum). For university admission in Australia, IB scores are converted into ATARs.

The study roadmap for Australian high schools before and after graduation

High school education in Australia opens up promising future career opportunities if you have a clear plan in place. Here is a recommended roadmap for studying high school in this country.

1. Step 1: Choose the right Australian secondary school and prepare your application.
2. Step 2: Complete the secondary school program (Years 10 to 12) set by the state or territory where you study.
3. Step 3: Take the state graduation exams, such as the HSC, VCE, or equivalent. You’ll also receive an ATAR score as previously explained.
4. Step 4: Upon graduation, international students have the option to pursue further education at universities, colleges, foundation courses, or vocational studies, depending on their English proficiency and ATAR score.

What are the requirements for Australian secondary schools?

To enroll in an Australian secondary school, you need to meet certain academic, financial, and health requirements. Generally, most schools in Australia have rather flexible requirements for high school admissions.

1. Academic requirements

Academic requirements differ depending on the curriculum of each state. Typically, the minimum GPA requirement is 6.5.

While an IELTS certificate isn’t required, you may need to attend an interview or write a short essay in English. Nevertheless, to save time and enter directly into the high school program, international students should have an English proficiency level equivalent to IELTS 5.0 – 6.0.

2. Financial requirements

The annual expenses for studying at an Australian secondary school typically range from AUD 30,000 to 50,000. Some schools in Australia require international students to prove they have sufficient funds to cover their study and living expenses for at least one year.

Financial proof may include the following documents:

1. + Bank statements,
2. + Passbooks,
3. + Proof of property ownership, car ownership, etc.

3. Health requirements

According to the Australian Consulate’s regulations, international students must provide a health certificate from authorized institutions. Specifically, you must not have any serious infectious diseases such as:

1. • Hepatitis,
2. • Encephalomyelitis,
3. • Pulmonary tuberculosis,
4. • Ebola,
5. • etc.

How much does it cost to study in Australian high schools?

Here’s a breakdown of the costs you should prepare for your high school studies in Australia.

1. ➤ Tuition fees:
   1. + Public school: AUD 20,000 – 30.000 per year
   2. + Private or boarding school: AUD 30,000 – 40,000 per year
2. ➤ Living expenses:
   1. + Accommodation: AUD 12,000 – 18,000 per year
   2. + General living expenses: AUD 6,000 – 12,000 per year (transportation, food, entertainment, shopping, etc)
3. ➤ Health insurance (OSHC): AUD 600 – 700 per year (mandatory for the entire study period)
4. ➤ Uniforms and textbooks: AUD 500 – 1,500 per year

To cut down your expenses while studying in Australia, consider these tips:

1. ➤ Live with relatives (or an approved guardian).
2. ➤ Improve your academic performance to qualify for scholarships covering 20% – 50% of tuition fees.
3. ➤ Consider choosing a boarding school with bundled fees covering tuition, accommodation, and guardianship.
4. ➤ Consider studying in cities like Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, etc. where tuition and living costs are typically 15–20% lower compared to Sydney or Melbourne.

💡 See also: Applying for an Australian tourist visa with a sponsor.

Is it hard to get Australian secondary school scholarships?

Generally speaking, scholarships for Australian high schools are less common than for university programs, but they’re still available!

To get a scholarship, international students typically need to meet the following conditions:

1. ✅ A GPA of 8.0 out of 10 or higher
2. ✅ An IELTS score of 5.5 – 6.0 or higher
3. ✅ Active participation in extracurriculars
4. ✅ An impressive letter of recommendation

Here are some common Australian secondary school scholarships you can aim for:

1. • Scholarships from state government public schools: Cover 20% – 50% of tuition in certain states, including Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, etc.
2. • Private school scholarships: Cover 30% – 100% of tuition, with exams held at certain private schools, including Wesley College, Scotch College, PLC Sydney, etc.
3. • Boarding scholarships: Covers boarding costs
4. • AEAS scholarships: Some schools require students to take the AEAS exam as part of the scholarship selection process

Reliable translation services for Australian secondary school applications

Once you’re accepted into an Australian high school, you will need to apply for a student visa to make your study abroad dream a reality.

Identification documents, financial proof, health records, etc. must be complete and truthful. Specifically, certified translations into English are crucial for ensuring your documents are valid and accepted by the authorities.

Thao & Co. offers professional translation services for Australian student visa documents. As one of the leading names in the language services industry, we guarantee expert translation at competitive rates.

Here’s why Thao & Co. is the trusted choice for your study abroad document translations:

1. 🧑🏼‍🎓 Our team consists of professional linguists holding degrees in English language studies and high IELTS scores.
2. 📄 We provide precise translation, guaranteeing the accuracy of industry terms and legal vocabulary.
3. ⌚ Receive your translations in as little as 24 hours for standard documents.
4. 📜 Thao & Co. provides our Certificate of Translation Accuracy free of charge.
5. 🔒 Our proprietary platform makes it easy to upload, track, and manage your translation files and project progress.

Contact Thao & Co. via our Get a Quote form to get a personalized consultation on your document translation needs for Australian secondary school applications!