Please read the below entry and application requirements before applying. The department will only process fully complete applications, inclusive of all required supporting documents.
Entry requirements
Age requirements
All school students must be of an appropriate age for the entry level for their school course, regardless of their country of citizenship. Temporary application students must be 5 years of age by 30 April in the year of entry into Preparatory (Prep) grade.
Students are generally the following years of age in primary school depending on their academic abilities and development.
Students are generally the following years of age in secondary school depending on their academic abilities and development.
Application requirements
The minimum enrolment period for short-term temporary applications is 8 weeks unless a pre-approval letter is provided from a Victorian government school.
Supporting documents
Applications without the following supporting documents will not be processed.
- Visas: a visitor (tourist) visa (subclass 600) for the student and welfare provider (the person who will live with the student and is responsible for the student during their school enrolment) for the duration of the enrolment
- Passports: passports for the student and welfare provider
- Birth certificate: student's original birth certificate with certified English translation
- Relationship confirmation: evidence relating to the relationship of the student and welfare provider (if the welfare provider is not a parent).
- Transport confirmation: confirmation the student will be accompanied by the welfare provider upon arrival in Melbourne, Victoria.
- School confirmation: a pre-approval letter obtained from the local zoned school if planning to study less than 8 weeks (see below for more information on finding a school).
Application submission dates
Applications must be submitted by the below dates. Applications submitted after the application submission date will not be considered for enrolment until the following school term.
| 2025 | Australian Season | Term starts | Term ends | Weeks | Application submission dates |
|---|
| Semester 1 |
|
Term 1
|
Summer / Autumn
|
28 January
|
4 April
|
10
| Closed |
|
Term 2
|
Autumn / Winter
|
22 April
|
4 July
|
11
| Closed |
| Semester 2 |
|
Term 3
|
Winter / Spring
|
21 July
|
19 September
|
9
| 6 June 2025
|
|
Term 4
|
Spring / Summer
|
6 October
|
19 December
|
11
| 22 August 2025 |
English language requirements
Our schools assess students' English proficiency level when they arrive. Depending on your proficiency level, you will either stay in mainstream classes or the school will arrange you to attend intensive English language classes so you can thrive in the mainstream classroom environment. Intensive English language classes at government schools do not require additional tuition fees.
Finding a school
Without a home address in Victoria
Temporary applicants without a home address in Melbourne or Victoria must choose a temporary student Victorian government school, see:
Please note that capacity in schools is subject to change given demand for enrolment places.
Once enrolled in a school, you will be required to live your school’s local community.
With a home address in Victoria
Temporary applicants with a home address in Melbourne or Victoria must choose a school within their local community. This is known as your designated neighbourhood government school or local school, and is generally the government school closest to your home address. For find your local school, see: Find my School search tool.
Accommodation and welfare
Only 2 accommodation and welfare options are available for temporary application international students:
- Living with, and welfare provided by, a parent or legal guardian
- Living with, and welfare provided by, a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) approved relative
Studying on a visitor (tourist) visa (subclass 600) means the department and Victorian government schools do not offer homestay with a local family. You must live with a parent or legal guardian or DHA approved relative.
NB: Any other welfare and accommodation options such as living with third parties i.e. friends, distant relatives or in Homestays are not permitted for this enrolment category.
Prior to application, please check the age and accommodation requirements specified on the DHA website if choosing the approved relative accommodation welfare option, at www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
School fees
To learn about the costs of studying and living in Victoria, see:
How to apply
For more information on how to apply for this application type, see the Application Process.
