Dependant Student Enrolment
- Course Details
- Compulsory Requirements
- Course Fees
- ESL Support
- Dependant Application Process
- Dependant Application Process for Institutions
- Conditions of Exemption for Dependant Students
- Forms for Dependant Students
- Enrolling a Dependant Student Process
- Dependant Student Terms and Conditions
- Payment Policy
- Refund Policy
- Complaints and Appeals Policy
- Privacy Policy
Course Details
Education Queensland (the Queensland State Government Department of Education and Training) accepts applications for the enrolment of dependant children of international students studying in Queensland institutions of education and training. Acceptance of these children is permitted as a support to Queensland institutions that are enrolling international students. Applications should be submitted to Education Queensland International (EQI). Within Queensland, children of compulsory school age must attend school. Compulsory school age is defined as a child aged at least 6 years 6 months and less than 16 years of age or completion of Year 10, whichever is sooner. (Please refer to the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006.)
Dependant student applicants must reside in Queensland under the care and supervision of the principal student visa holder for the duration of their studies in a Queensland State School.
EQI issues dependant children with their own Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) Forms. The dependant children's COE dates are identical to the dates indicated in their parent's COE. Generally, the parents of dependant students are required to pay for the cost of their children’s education programs as outlined in the dependant fee schedule for the current year.
It is the responsibility of the parent to approach a school, either directly or through their educational institution, to arrange a place for their dependant child.
It is not necessary to start contacting schools in relation to enrolling children until the family has arrived in Australia and found permanent housing. Children can temporarily be enrolled as School Unconfirmed to obtain a COE.
If the school is not known prior to arrival, Education Queensland International must be informed, within two weeks of the commencement date as stated on the Dependant Student's COE, of the name of the school that the dependant will attend.
Please note that enrolments at selected schools may be restricted to residents within the school’s nominated geographical catchment area or according to the criteria of the Schools Enrolment Management or Eligibility Plan. Please contact individual schools for further information.
Early Start Dates or Late Finishes
In cases where the school term begins before or finishes after the course dates on the parent's COE, dependant children are allowed to commence school earlier and/or finish school later subject to following conditions:
- The parents and dependant children 's visas are valid
- The parents are willing to pay the fees for additional study
Dependant Students who turn 18 years of age
If the Dependant child turns 18 years of age during the parent’s enrolment in a Queensland educational institution, DIAC has advised that these students need to obtain their own visa in order to continue with their studies in a Queensland Government school. In cases where a dependant student will turn 18 during their enrolment, the student will be enrolled to the end of the term in which they turn 18 years of age if their visa is valid for this period. The family will need to contact DIAC and submit a separate visa application for the remaining study period.
Compulsory Requirements
Advice on the processes to be followed in obtaining student visas for the dependant children of overseas students may be obtained by contacting DIAC 
.
DIAC requires student visa holders to maintain adequate schooling arrangements for school-aged dependants who are on a student dependant visa and who are in Australia for more than three months. EQI is required to notify DIAC of breaches of the above condition. All dependant students are required to abide by Education Queensland's School regulations. Failure to adhere to these regulations may lead to the cancellation of a dependant student's enrolment, in which case no refund of tuition fees will be made.
Program Fees
The tuition fee that is charged for dependant children varies according to the level of schooling for which they will be enrolled. The annual fees for 2012 are as follows:
| Tuition Fees |
2012 | |||||
Year |
Semester |
1 Term |
||||
| Prep Year |
$8720 |
$4360 |
$2180 |
|||
| Primary (1-7) |
$8720 |
$4360 |
$2180 |
|||
| Junior Secondary |
$8940 |
$4470 |
$2235 |
|||
| Senior Secondary |
$10120 |
$5060 |
$2530 |
|||
| Application Fee |
$110 per application (inc. GST) |
|||||
| School Unconfirmed Fee ** |
$100 per student |
|||||
2012 Fees have increased by the 2010-11 CPI percentage.
Notes
For 2012 international students who meet the approved EQI Fee Exemption Criteria who wish to enrol their dependant child from Preparatory (Prep) Year to Year 12 of schooling will be exempt from paying dependant tuition fees. The exemption only applies for the duration of the main international student visa holder’s (parent) course of study in Queensland
- The list of approved fee exempt scholarships for 2012 can be found at http://www.eqi.com.au/pdfs/exemption_criteria.pdf
- A $110 non-refundable application fee (inclusive of GST) applies to all applications (except AusAID students holding 576 visa subclass).
- **An additional $100 fee (The School Unconfirmed Fee is payable on applications which do not provide a School Acceptance Letter from the school. This fee will be refunded if EQI is advised in writing of the school name within 2 weeks of commencement of student at the school. If this required notice is not given, students will not receive a refund of this fee).
- A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will not be issued until fees and the relevant documentation have been received at Education Queensland International (EQI).
- Fees are required to be paid for the current year of enrolment and thereafter one year in advance.
- If the student fees are not paid in advance, the offer for dependant enrolment will automatically be withdrawn (after the Debt Management Process has been implemented).
- If the family wishes to change the school of enrolment for dependant students, new application/s and an application fee will apply.
- If there are changes to visa subclass, parent’s COE, change of parent’s education provider, change of primary visa holder from one parent to another, new application/s and an application fee will apply. Parents are required to notify EQI in writing of any changes within 7 days of any such change.
The tuition fee covers:
- Access to a Queensland Government school
- All teaching costs
- ESL support (if required)
The tuition fee does not cover:
- The cost levied by the school to access the Information Technology (IT) Device used by the school and access to the School IT Infrastructure
- Subject-related excursions
- International and domestic travel
- Library books and resources
- Lunch at school
- Musical instruments
- Passport and visa application fees
- Personal items and holiday travel
- School activities that are not compulsory, such as optional excursions and performances
- School camps
- School formal
- School uniforms
- Special events
- Stationery items
- Student Identification Card
- Student Organiser (if compulsory)
- Subject levies
- Textbook purchase and/or hire
- Yearbook
ESL Support
- Dependant children are not entitled to enrolment at designated migrant reception centres.
- Access to in school or in class support from English as a Second Language (ESL) staff is determined by the Education Queensland District Director responsible for each school by location. If ESL support is required the school will make arrangements with the District Office to deliver this service.
- This service if required is included in the tuition fee.
Dependant Application Process
- Parent obtains COE from their education institution.
- Institution and/or parent completes the Dependant Student Application Form (2012 version)
- The form is forwarded to EQI with the following documentation:
- Copy of Parent's COE with start and end dates visible.
- Full name, date and place of birth, and citizenship of dependant child for whom COE is requested.
- A copy of the photo/title page of the dependant child's passport and parent/s passport/s.
- A copy of the DIAC visa grant letter or visa label (if available).
- Location of DIAC office where visa application is being lodged.
- Full contact details of parents (eg: email address, phone number, international and local (if known) address).
- Full contact details of parent's education institution (eg: contact person, email address, phone and fax number).
- School and grade/s the child/children will be attending (if known). (It is the responsibility of the parent to approach a school directly or through their educational institution regarding the child's enrolment). A School Acceptance Letter may be provided and should be included with your application.
- EQI states on COE that applicant must provide evidence of payment of OSHC to DIAC.
- Proof that the parent holds a scholarship (this document must include the category/name of the scholarship and be signed by an appropriate, accountable officer of the Institution). EQI will confirm if dependant student meets conditions for tuition fee exemption for compulsory years of study (Yr 1-12).
- EQI receives required documentation and sends an invoice for tuition fees to the family.
- Family makes payment to EQI. If the parent's scholarship is assessed as being exempt from tuition fees, the application fee (as per fee structure above) is still payable.
- EQI issues receipt, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and a School Notification Form.
- EQI sends a School Confirmation Authority to Enrol plus CoE to school (if known).
- To request a refund of "School Unknown Fee", the parent completes the "Dependant Student Refund Form" and sends to EQI along with acceptance letter from school, within two weeks of nominated started date.
- EQI completes the COE/s required and forwards to the applicant (ie: institution and/or parent).
Enrolling a Dependant Student Process
- On arrival in Queensland the parent makes an appointment with the selected school. The following paperwork is required at the interview:
- Student's CoE
- Receipt
- Dependant Student Notification Form
- Parent's passport
- Student's passport
- Visas (in passport or eVisa grant documentation from DIAC)
- Proof of address
- School enrols student, providing all documentation is provided. A student may not be enrolled without a CoE.
- Parents must advise school and Education Queensland of any changes to enrolment details, change of school, visa status or expiry date and any contact details within 7 days of any change.
Dependant Application Process for Institutions
Institutions are encouraged to seek COEs as early as possible for all the dependant children of their international students, whether they are liable for fees or in an exempt category. EQI will complete and issue Confirmation of Enrolment Forms to acknowledge the exempt status on the form as appropriate. If an institution sends dependant applications to EQI, the COEs are forwarded to the institution seeking them. They are not sent to the family of a student (unless requested).
Conditions of Exemption for Dependant Students
Education Queensland International 2012 Dependant Student Fee Exemption Critieria
Education Queensland International 2013 Dependant Student Fee Exemption Criteria
Please refer to the attached documents which outline the 2012 and 2013 Dependant Student Fee Exemption Criteria for school aged dependants of international students.
Forms for Dependant Students
- Dependant Student Application Form (2012 Version)
- Fee exemption conditions for Dependant Students 2012
- Fee exemption conditions for Dependant Students 2013
Dependant Student Terms and Conditions
- It is a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requirement that you must maintain adequate schooling arrangements for school-aged dependants on a Student Dependant visa residing for more than 3 months in Australia.
- If you wish to remove your child from school for any period of time, (eg holidays or return overseas during the school term), you are required to notify Education Queensland International (EQI) and the school in writing, giving one term’s notice. If one term’s notice is given fees may be transferred towards future tuition fees however, this will be assessed on a case by case basis. If one term’s notice is not given fees will not be transferred and the current application will be cancelled and DIAC will be notified. A new Dependant Student Application Form will need to be completed and new application fees will be charged prior to students re-attending a Queensland Government School.
- As a registered education provider, Education Queensland International (EQI) is required to notify DIAC of breaches of the above condition.
- If the dependant child turns 18 years of age during the parent’s enrolment in a Queensland educational institution, DIAC requires these students to obtain their own student visa in order to continue with their studies in a Queensland Government school.
- If a ‘School Acceptance Letter’ is not provided at time of application and the school is not specified on the Dependant Student Application Form, parents are required to provide written confirmation to EQI of the school their children are attending, within two (2) weeks of commencement at the school, in order to obtain a refund for the School Unconfirmed fee paid.
- Applicants must contact schools directly to enrol students. Please note you are not automatically guaranteed enrolment at your nominated school. Enrolment at selected schools is dependant on factors including if the school has an Enrolment Management Plan or Enrolment Eligibility Plan. Enrolment is subject to eligibility under the plan and may include factors such as living within the geographical catchment area.
- If the family wishes to change the school of enrolment for dependant students, a new application/s and an application fee will apply (except AusAID students holding 576 visa subclass).
- If there are changes to visa subclass, parent’s COE, change of enrolment dates, change of parent’s education provider, change of primary visa holder from one parent to another, new application/s and an application fee will apply.
- All students are required to abide by the Queensland Department of Education’s School regulations. Failure to adhere to these regulations may lead to the cancellation of a student’s enrolment, in which case no refund of tuition fees will be made.
- The terms and conditions of the attached policies override any previous terms and conditions. These policies are subject to change and changes are ongoing. Please contact EQI to confirm the policy in place.
Payment Policy
- The fees provide access to a Queensland Government school and all compulsory tuition, including English as a Second Language (ESL) support, if the student is assessed as requiring this service.
- Fees DO NOT include text books, subject levies, school uniforms, materials (e.g. pens, calculators and similar items), excursion costs and non-compulsory activities.
- Fees are required to be paid for the initial academic year or the portion of the first year for which the student is enrolled and thereafter one year in advance.
- Present published tuition fees will apply until 31 December 2012 and are subject to change after this date.
- All fees must be paid in Australian dollars.
- If a student has not paid tuition fees their offer of enrolment will automatically be withdrawn.
- Any legal or other costs incurred in securing payment are the responsibility of the applicant whose personal details are provided in Part 2 of this form and are recoverable at law.
Refund Policy
- EQI will refund paid tuition fees in full if the parent’s visa application is rejected. A copy of the refusal letter from the Embassy or High Commission must be produced as evidence.
- Parents of dependant students wishing to withdraw from an EQI course are required to give notice in writing to the Director EQI at least one full school term in advance.
- If this required notice is given, students will receive a refund of remaining tuition fees less a $400 administration fee.
- If one full term’s notice is not given, EQI will retain one term’s tuition fee in lieu of notice.
- All requests for refunds must be in writing, signed by the parents and, if applicable, must set out any compassionate or compelling grounds that the parents wish to draw to EQI’s attention.
- Dependant students who are granted a non-fee paying visa or permanent residency status while in Australia will be refunded any tuition fees paid in advance from the date of visa grant or from the date permanent residency status is granted.
- Tuition fees will not be transferred to other educational institutions except in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Director EQI.
Complaints and Appeals Policy
- If a student has a complaint in relation to their education program, they must bring it to the attention of their class teacher. If the problem is not resolved, the school principal should be informed either in person or in writing. The principal will endeavour to resolve the issue. If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student or parent, a copy of the written complaint together with the reasons for the dissatisfaction may be forwarded to the Director EQI.
- If the student or their parent is still dissatisfied with the outcome they have the right to take the dispute to the Chief Executive Officer, Department of Education and Training for resolution.
Privacy Policy
- In this clause, “personal information” means information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database), whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about the student, or from which the student’s identity can reasonably be ascertained.
- Education Queensland will collect and may disclose the student’s personal information for the following purposes:
a) administering and managing the Program, including reporting and exchanging information generally within the Queensland Department of Education and Training and any other relevant Queensland State educational agency;
b) administering and managing the Student’s enrolment in the Program and in a School and the provision of education and support services to the Student;
c) liaising with the student’s parents;
d) liaising with a parent with whom the student resides about the student’s living arrangements;
e) liaising with, providing information to and receiving information from the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in relation to the Student’s compliance with all applicable migration laws and visa regulations and conditions;
f) liaising with, providing information to and receiving information from the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) in relation to the Program;
g) managing, investigation and responding to complaints and appeals;
h) any other purpose reasonably incidental to any of these purposes; or
i) where authorised or required by law.
Last updated 1 December 2011
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