State school still costs

[candt]

We've recently moved from England, we enrolled our 16 year old into the local state school.

We should have done more research into the cost. School fees are $750 approx per year, uniform costs are $75 jumpers, $30 polo shirts, shower jacket $75, trousers $50. Leather shoes must be worn too. Luckily he's not into

sports so no sports kit needed.

He also has to have a school laptop! Not his own from home.

Must be purchased from the school, New Laptop is $1200 approx! Or a recondition one at $55.

Just wanted to inform people who are coming over so you budget for that too :-)

[flossybeth]

Depending on your visa you can currently get the School Kids Bonus, or whatever it's called. An amount of over $1000 (for our three) paid in two installments to help cover these costs. And school "fees" vary from school to school; for primary we've never paid more than $250 a child and now we have one at secondary her fees were around $400, and we're lucky enough that only tops need to be covered by official uniform, bottoms can still come from Target or M&S if they have free p&p

 

You are right though; it is costly and there's the whole stationery list too at the beginning of the year.

[candt]

Thanks for info, were on 457 skilled working visa. Where can I find out about the school kids bonus?

[Guest Mrs Bon Jovi]

Thanks for info, were on 457 skilled working visa. Where can I find out about the school kids bonus?

 

You need to be on a permanent visa and eligible for Family Tax Benefit to be eligible for the school kids bonus

[candt]

Thanks, I thought so

[Diane]

Actually on a 457 visa you're a lot better off as regards state school fees than in many of the other states of Australia. Lots of them charge full international fees (you're talking thousands rather than hundreds) for 457 visa holders, at least here in SA you only pay what anyone else - even Australians - pay!

[newlife]

I thought the school kids bonus had been withdrawn?

[flossybeth]

I thought the school kids bonus had been withdrawn?

 

 

I think changes were afoot in the budget - which is why I wrote currently (we have just had our second payment for the year, so it hasn't been stopped yet).