Fees vary between schools and parents should compare schools’ charges based on children’s needs and family circumstances.  Ask the schools on your shortlist for their fee schedules and any additional charges and payment terms.

Many schools offer assistance, such as:

• discounts for families sending more than one child to the school, for children of clergy, or refugee children
• advance payment schemes based on current charges
• voluntary loan schemes payable before enrolment to reduce fees
• bursary assistance for families in financial need
• scholarships that might provide part-remission of fees.

Schools will also usually interview scholarship candidates as part of the selection procedure, and take into consideration students’ primary school reports, testimonials and samples of work for a general excellence scholarship.

Scholarships are also offered to children who might not otherwise be able to attend Independent schools. A scholarship may be offered for a full or part reduction of tuition fees, for either the duration of the student’s schooling or for a certain number of years.

For further details, contact individual schools directly.

Parents value the independence boarding gives their children and their opportunity to live with other students from different backgrounds. Boarding is usually only provided for secondary students, although a few schools accept boarders from Year 5 onward.

Twenty-five Independent Schools Victoria Member Schools take boarders from rural areas, interstate and overseas, and in some schools, from metropolitan districts.

Most Independent Schools Victoria Member Schools that accept boarders are in Melbourne with some in regional Victoria. Some take only either boys or girls but most accept both girls and boys.

Some Independent schools can also help arrange home-stay accommodation with a family for international, interstate or country students.

Independent schools are accountable to government authorities and must comply with existing laws but they are independent. This means that they are able to develop their own policies, practices and procedures on such matters as student welfare, uniform, enrolment, curriculum and expected standards of behaviour.

A teacher is the first point of contact should you wish to raise an issue. You should then follow the accepted processes at the school before ultimately approaching the principal should you remain unsatisfied.
Independent Schools Victoria will not act as a mediator between parents and schools but might be able to assist in the resolution of the matter.

In talking with Independent Schools Victoria, parents can request anonymity and need not name the school. If the parent requests, Independent Schools Victoria will contact the Principal to advise that a complaint has been received and the nature of that complaint.

To contact Independent Schools Victoria, please call 9825 7200

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