Living - Family Life
Accommodation
As there is no family accommodation on campus, we suggest you arrive as early as possible to find somewhere to live and to settle your children in to childcare or schooling. You may even need to arrive before your family to make arrangements. For information about accommodation options please visit our Arrival page or Accommodation Services.
The Department of Fair Trading has developed a series of multi-lingual videos to assist students in their search for accommodation and the rights and responsibilities of tenants. By clicking on the Playlist link at the bottom of the video you can select from a range of East Asian languages.
Childcare Options
You will need to arrange childcare for children under five while you are at lectures and tutorials if you do not have a spouse to care for them in the family home. Callaghan Campus has three childcare centres for daytime care. For more information please visit Childcare Services.
Alternative Child Care Options
If you would like to seek childcare outside of the University, Newcastle provides numerous independently run day care and childminding services, such as Family Day Care Five Star Newcastle. Family Day Care Five Star Newcastle allows registered carers to mind your children within the carer's home
Schooling for Children
It is strongly advised to arrange schooling for children over five years well in advance of your arrival in Australia. There are two separate schooling systems which operate in Australia: Government funded Public Schools, and Private Schools.
Tuition fees must be paid for dependents of international students who attend school in NSW. These fees must be paid before your child can obtain a visa. Government School fees range from AUD4,500 to AUD 5,500/year per child. An initial application fee of AUD$110 is also applicable.
Fees are also applicable for each child entering in private school. These fees are calculated on an annual school basis.
Enquiries regarding entry to public schools should be directed to:
NSW Department of Education and Training
International Student Centre
NSW Department of Education and Training
Block W, 827-839 George Street
Sydney NSW 2007
Australia
Phone: +61 1300 302 456
Fax: +61 2 9212 6721
Visit the NSW Department of Education and Training website.
Support for your child
If your child is from a non English speaking background, and you have concerns on how they might adjust to Australian schooling please contact:
Community Information Officer and NESB Community Officer
Department of Education and Training
Swansea District Office
Phone: +61 2 49723000
Related programs
Multicultural Playgroup
Multicultural Playgroup (Mondays: 10am to 1pm) provides parents an opportunity to discuss topics of interest, practice English, prepare and share foods and crafts while their children have the opportunity to play together. Run weekly, the program operates off-campus and is facilitated by a local Christian group.
The Salvation Army English Classes
The Salvation Army offers weekly English classes (Mondays 9.30am - 12noon) allowing participants to practise and improve their English language skills. These classes are free and participants may commence at any time of the year. Child care is available for participants with young children.
MayCare Community Centre
MayCare Community Centre is a community organisation affiliated with the Baptist Church. They offer free English classes each week (Thursdays: 10am to 2pm) and have child care facilities for young children.
Both organisations cater for people who have very limited English skills through to proficient English speakers who wish to learn more about Australian colloquialisms.
Contact
For further information contact: Veronica Clayton on +61 2 4921 2066 or
email international-community@newcastle.edu.au