WA public school enrolment for visa holders is one of the most common questions I hear from families planning a move to Western Australia.
The key distinction: entitlement vs no entitlement
WA public schools give priority to children who have local enrolment entitlement — meaning they can enrol at their nearest school on the same basis as an Australian citizen.
Children without local enrolment entitlement (called “overseas students”) can still apply, but they have lower priority, enrolment is at the principal’s discretion, and places aren’t guaranteed — even if you live in the school’s local area.
Which category your child falls into comes down to your visa subclass.
Permanent residents
If you hold a permanent visa, your child has the same enrolment rights as an Australian citizen. You can approach the school directly, show evidence of your visa, and enrol through the standard process. No international tuition fee applies.
Permanent visa subclasses include: 100, 102, 103, 106, 110, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 124, 126, 132, 134, 136, 137, 138, 139, 143, 151, 155, 157, 175, 176, 186, 187, 189, 190, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 801, 802, 804, 835, 836, 837, 845, 855, 856, 857, 858, 861, 862, 863, 866, 880, 882, 883, 885, 886, 887, 888, 890, 892.
Temporary residents with enrolment entitlement
Some temporary visa holders also have local enrolment entitlement. You enrol directly at the school and provide evidence of your visa subclass. The enrolment conditions can vary within this group — particularly around fees — so it’s worth understanding your specific situation.
Temporary visa subclasses with enrolment entitlement include: 159, 163, 164, 188, 300, 309, 401, 402, 403, 407, 408, 444, 445, 449, 457, 459, 461, 471, 476, 482, 485, 487, 489, 491, 494, 496, 497, 785, 786, 790, 820, 945, 995, 998.
Subclass 482 and 457 visa holders
If you’re on a Subclass 482 Skills In Demand or Subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa, your children have the same access to local public schools as WA residents. You enrol at your nearest school in the usual way.
However, a family tuition fee of $4,000 per year applies, regardless of how many children you have enrolled (Pre-primary to Year 12).
The fee is managed by TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) — not the school. You’ll receive a fee notice from TIWA and can pay upfront or by direct debit (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or per term). Your employer can pay the fee on your behalf if they choose.
Fee waiver options:
- If your combined gross family income is $75,000 or less per year, you can apply for a full fee waiver. This needs to be applied for each year.
- If you experience unforeseen financial hardship (illness, job loss, family breakdown, etc.), you can apply for a waiver within six months of the event.
Contact TIWA on 9218 2100 (option 1) or email [email protected].
Overseas students (no enrolment entitlement)
If your visa subclass is 400, 580, 590, 600, 601, 602, or 651 — or your child is a dependent on a non-Masters student visa (subclass 500, 570, 572, or 573) — your child is classified as an overseas student.
This means:
- Enrolment is at the principal’s discretion and subject to available places
- Your child is not entitled to their nearest school, even if you live nearby
- Full international tuition fees apply
- Placement is managed through TIWA
If you’re on a Masters or PhD student visa (subclass 500)
If you’re enrolled in a postgraduate degree at a recognised WA university, your children are not required to pay mainstream international tuition fees for the duration of your study. This is a tuition fee waiver, not a full enrolment entitlement — your child is still classified as an overseas student with lower priority, but the cost barrier is removed.
The waiver only applies while you are actively enrolled in your postgraduate course. Before your course begins and after it ends, standard international fees apply. If you withdraw or discontinue your studies, fees become payable immediately.
Additional fees still apply for specialist English language support or disability services, if assessed as required by the school.
Application process for postgraduate dependants:
- Before arriving, obtain a Confirmation of Placement from TIWA (apply online)
- After arriving, contact your university’s international office for a Placement Request Form — available from Curtin, ECU, Murdoch, Notre Dame, and UWA
- Complete Section A of the Public School Placement Form and approach schools near your home to request a place
- Once a school approves, complete the online application through your university
- Your child cannot start school until TIWA issues an Authority to Enrol letter
Scholarship holders
Dependants of certain scholarship holders are entitled to enrol on the same basis as local students — with no international tuition fee — for the duration of the scholarship. Eligible scholarships include AusAID, full Commonwealth-funded scholarships, and full scholarships awarded by ECU, Curtin, Murdoch, or UWA.
Apply for scholarship confirmation through your university’s international office. TIWA will issue a letter confirming your child’s enrolment entitlement.
Bridging visas
If you’re on a bridging visa while a new visa application is being processed, your child’s enrolment conditions remain the same as under your previous substantive visa. For example, if you held a Subclass 600 Visitor visa then applied for Subclass 820/801 Partner visas onshore, then full international tuition fees will apply until your Subclass 820 visa is granted.
What about Kindergarten?
Kindergarten in WA is not compulsory. For overseas students, it is given lower placement priority than compulsory school years (Pre-primary through Year 12). In practice, a Kindergarten place may not be available for overseas fee-paying students.
Quick reference
| Your visa situation | Enrolment entitlement | Fee |
| Permanent resident | Same as Australian citizen | None |
| Subclass 482 / 457 (skilled work) | Same as Australian citizen | $4,000/year per family |
| Other temporary visa with entitlement (e.g. 485, 820, 309, 491) | Same as Australian citizen | Varies by subclass |
| Subclass 500 — Masters/PhD | Overseas student (lower priority) | Waived during study |
| Subclass 500 — undergraduate / non-Masters | Overseas student (lower priority) | Full international fees |
| Visitor / guardian visa (600, 590, 580, 400, 601, 602, 651) | Overseas student (lower priority) | Full international fees |
| Bridging visa | Same as previous substantive visa | Same as previous substantive visa |
What about private schools?
The rules above apply to WA public schools only. Private schools set their own enrolment policies and are not bound by the same visa-based framework. If you are considering a private school, contact the school directly to ask about their enrolment conditions for visa holders.
Not sure where your visa sits?
School enrolment entitlements are tied directly to your visa subclass, and the details matter. If you’re planning a move to WA and want to understand what your visa means for your children’s schooling before you commit, get in touch.
This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa conditions and school enrolment policies can change. Always verify current conditions with TIWA (tafeinternational.wa.edu.au) and the WA Department of Education, and seek professional advice for your specific circumstances.
MARN 2518868 | What If Migration
