Canada, Australia and New Zealand: Public Schools and International Student Programmes, and How to Read the Fee and Guardian Rules

This guide is for families who are looking at public schools in Canada, Australia or New Zealand because of a parent's posting or move, and for families sending a child abroad as an international student. It summarises what each authority published, as of 29 October 2026. Rules and fees change often and differ by region and school. Confirm with the official body and the school before you decide.

First point: your child's status decides the fees

In all three countries, a public school is not automatically free for everyone. Fees depend on the status under which a child enrols. That status is often linked to a parent's immigration status. So start with status and fee structure before you choose a school.

Canada: look at the school board, not just the school

Canadian public schools are run by provincial school boards. Large boards have their own international student programmes. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is one example. It offers K-12 and 18+ programmes, fee schedules, and information on custodianship and homestay.

From 1 October 2026, TDSB takes new applications through its 'True North' system. It also extended the February 2027 intake deadline to 30 November 2026. Dates and systems can change like this, so check the board's current notice just before applying.

The board says children whose parents are authorised to work or study in Canada may have a different status and fees. Do not guess which applies to your family. Ask the board.

Australia: school fees are set by the state, not the visa

Australia's Department of Home Affairs describes the subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa as a temporary visa that lets an employer sponsor a skilled worker for a role it cannot fill locally. It says public school fees for accompanying children are set by each state's education department, not by the visa.

Take the NSW Department of Education's Temporary Residents Program as an example.

• Most children of temporary visa holders, of international students and of visitors accompanied by a parent pay an application fee and tuition.
• Exemptions can be requested, for example where a parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or for low income.
• If the visa changes to an exempt category, a pro-rata refund of the remaining tuition may apply.
• Applications are online only.

This is the NSW case. Rules differ by state, so check the education department of the state you are moving to.

New Zealand: domestic or international student?

New Zealand's Ministry of Education says every student enrols as either domestic or international. Citizens, residence-class visa holders and dependent children of some student and work visa holders are treated as domestic. International students pay tuition and other fees. The school must be a signatory to the 2021 Code of Practice for international learners. Visitors may attend for up to two weeks with the principal's permission without enrolling.

Work visa families: the Dependent Child Student Visa

Immigration New Zealand says children of parents with an appropriate work visa can get a Dependent Child Student Visa and attend primary or secondary school as domestic students without tuition fees. Some work visas, such as seasonal and working holiday visas, do not qualify. For the AEWV, it depends on the parent's earnings or job. The conditions include:

• The child must be 19 or under and plan to attend school.
• Children under 5 cannot attend school and get a visitor visa instead.
• Parents show living funds (NZ$17,000 a year or NZ$1,417 a month, waivable for some) and agree to cover health costs.
• The visa usually ends with the parent's visa.

Going as an international student

There is a Fee Paying Student Visa for students who pay international tuition themselves, with family support, a loan or a partial scholarship. According to Immigration New Zealand's page, applicants need an offer of place from an approved education provider and must show they can cover tuition and living costs, along with requirements such as insurance. The stated maximum stay is 4 years, the fee starts from NZD 850, and 80% of applications are listed as processed within 7 weeks. These figures reflect the page at the time it was viewed. Check current fees and processing times on the official site.

If a child stays after the parents leave

Australia's Home Affairs says student visa holders under 18 need one of two things. One is welfare approved by the school (a CAAW). The other is a nominated guardian: a parent, a custodian, or a relative aged 21 or over nominated by a parent. Parental consent (Form 1229) is also needed. Welfare must last until the student turns 18 or the enrolment ends plus 7 days. The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) lets a guardian stay up to 5 years to support a child on a student visa.

Immigration New Zealand says a parent or legal guardian of a child aged 17 or under (or in Years 1-13) who holds a student visa can get a Guardian Visitor Visa.

• Only one parent can hold it at a time.
• It lasts as long as the child's student visa.
• Holders generally cannot work, though remote work for an overseas business is allowed.
• Holders can study up to 3 months in 12.
• Partners and other children need their own visas.

If a child might stay on alone, read these rules before enrolment.

Checklist

• Do you know which status your child will enrol under (domestic or international student, temporary resident, and so on)?
• Have you looked up the fee rules of the state (Australia) or school board (Canada) yourself?
• Have you checked exemption and refund conditions, and how to apply (for example, an online portal)?
• Have you checked recent notices for changes to deadlines and application systems?
• For New Zealand, is the school a signatory to the Code of Practice for international learners?
• Have you checked current visa fees and processing times on the official site?
• If a parent may return home first, have you reviewed the guardian rules in advance?

Ask the school

• Under which status will my child enrol, and what are the annual fees and application fee?
• When are exemptions or refunds possible, and which documents are needed?
• If there is an international student programme, how are guardianship, homestay and student support run?
• What are the intake deadlines and application method, and has anything changed this year?
• (New Zealand) Is the school a signatory to the Code of Practice for international learners?

Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.