Independent schools encourage parents to plan ahead for the education of their children.

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.

Conveyance Allowance

The Conveyance Allowance helps to pay for eligible students’ travel to and from home in the outer metropolitan, regional and rural areas of the State and eligible non-government schools.

To be eligible, a school must not be located in an excluded post-code. A list of excluded post-codes and other factors that determine the nearest appropriate registered non-government school are outlined in Guidelines for the Administration of Conveyance Allowances for Student Travel. Students must live more than 4.8km from the nearest relevant registered non-government school.

For Independent Schools, there are three relevancy qualifications:

• denominational – formally established under the auspices of a denomination or denominations
• multi- or inter-denominational – Christian Schools with no direct affiliation with particular denominations
• non-denominational school – schools established on a secular basis.

For more information go to:

SOFweb Conveyance Allowance

SOFweb Student Transport

Department of Infrastructure

Education Maintenance Allowance

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) provides assistance to low-income families by helping with the costs associated with the education of their children.

The allowance is paid in two instalments, one early in the year and the other in the second half of the year.  Part payment is made to the school and part to the parent or guardian.

Parents or guardians must submit EMA applications to schools in February.  Application forms are available from schools. 

For further information talk to your school or go to the EMA website.