Student FAQs

Studying in a different country is a fantastic experience. It’s a way to learn about different cultures and make international friendships that will last a lifetime. You can also share your own knowledge and culture, and you will become more confident and independent. 

Australia is a multicultural place with people from many different cultures. If you live and study in Australia, you can improve your English while you also learn about the fun Australian way of life. 

Find out more about the Queensland lifestyle.

The Australian Government makes sure international students and their families receive a high level of service and financial protection that is unique to Australia. In Queensland, government schools are known all over the world for providing high quality education to all students. Also, Queensland Government schools are some of the best in the world for teaching English to international students. 

Studying in Queensland also means getting to live in Queensland. The schools that you can go to are close to major transport and have modern equipment and facilities. Queensland has great value for money and a high standard of living. 

For more information about going to school in Queensland, visit the Department of Education website. Find out more about studying in Queensland.

All Queensland Government schools have both male and female students, and students go to school during the day. In Australia it is the law that any children old enough to go to school must go to school.

Children who are 4 to 5 years of age begin school in a Preparatory Year. It is important to know, international students applying for a student visa (subclass 500) must be at least 6 years old.

After Prep, children go to primary school for 6 more years, and after that they go to high school for 6 years. They graduate when they finish Year 12.

At high school there are 4 years of junior high school (Years 7 to 10) and then 2 years of senior high school (Years 11 and 12). At the end of Year 12, most students will get their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

After they complete high school, students may choose to study at university or a vocational education provider.

Find out more about the Queensland school system.

You need to have a good level of English. You will have to be able to speak, understand and write English well enough to be able to do the lessons you are enrolled in.

We have a High School Preparation program for those who want to improve their English prior to joining our High School Program.

When you apply to come to school in Queensland, you will be assessed on your academic ability and your level of English. If your English does not meet our direct entry requirements (PDF, 630KB), you may be offered a conditional "Offer of a Place". This means that you may have to complete 10 to 40 weeks of our high school preparation program first.

Most students need to do 10 to 40 weeks (depending on the level of English demonstrated) of high school preparation or an equivalent English preparation course before they start their regular lessons. If you think you will not need to do this, you may have to do an English Language test to show how well you speak English and to meet your student visa requirements.

Find out more about International Student Programs entry requirements (PDF, 630KB).

There are many good reasons for finishing Year 12 at a Queensland Government school. If you complete both Year 11 and Year 12, you will receive a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). If you are part of the High School Program you may be able to graduate with an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), which you can use to apply for Queensland universities and vocational education.

If you want to study in high school for a shorter time, you can choose a study abroad option. This gives you a high school experience for 3 to 12 months. It is a great way to learn English while you continue high school.

Find out more about high school study abroad.

Any student can apply. To be successful, you need to have a good level of English and you must have passed all your main school subjects for the past two years.

Find out more about specific courses and their requirements and about International Student Programs entry requirements (PDF, 630KB).

There are more than 95 high schools and primary schools in Queensland that you can choose from. Many of the schools are in Brisbane (Queensland's capital city). The rest of the schools are all over Queensland, including Cairns, Central Coast, Fraser and Burnett Regions, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and Townsville.

You can come to Australia to study for as little as one semester (20 teaching weeks). Or, you may come for a number of years in order to finish high school in Queensland.

You will need to meet the visa requirements for your home country. Please contact your local Australian embassy for more information about getting a student visa. Or visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Find out more about Queensland schools.

If you graduated from high school less than 6 months ago, you can still apply to study in Queensland.

You can either apply online or you can complete EQI's international student application form and email it to us. If you are emailing the form, make sure you attach all the supporting documents.

We will check to make sure you meet the entry requirements (PDF, 630KB). These are based on your academic record and your level of English. If you have limited English, you may need to complete an intensive English language course (high school preparation) at a different Queensland school first.

Find out how to apply.

There are different application cut-off dates depending on when you want to start school in Queensland. For example, if you want to start at the beginning, middle or end of the year.

You must complete and submit your application before the application cut-off dates. The cut-off dates mean that we have enough time to check your application. You also need to allow at least 3 months to get your student visa before you can travel to Queensland and study.

Our international education agents are located around the world and can offer advice and information on the best education programs in Queensland. They can also help you with your application. We can help you to find an agent. Or you can complete and submit your own application.

We will assess your application within 10 working days. This is described in our client service standards. We will send you an email to let you know the outcome of your application. If you are successful, we will send you an Enrolment Agreement plus some information that will tell you what to do next. The entire application process is outlined in Are you applying to study on your own student visa?.

Yes, you will need a valid student visa (subclass 500 schools) for the whole time you are studying in Queensland. If you accept a place in a Queensland Government school and pay the fees, we will give you a Confirmation of Enrolment. Submit this to the Australian Embassy in your home country to start your student visa application.

Yes, many international students graduate from our high schools each year. Most wish to keep studying in Australia after they finish Year 12. For example, at university.

To do further study in Australia you will need to choose your subjects carefully so that you can get an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) when you finish Year 12.

Further information about subject choice and study options after high school is available at your host school. Ask the guidance officer for help.

If you are in primary school, you must live with a parent or close relative (like your grandparents, or an aunt or uncle).

If you are in high school, you can still stay with your own family, or you can live with an Australian family—this is called homestay accommodation. Your Queensland Government school will find a homestay family for you and will send you details about them before you come to Queensland.

Find out more about homestay.

Homestay fees are available on our fees page.

Homestay accommodation includes your own room with a bed, desk and wardrobe, and 3 meals each day, 7 days per week. You may have to pay for the cost of telephone calls and internet at your homestay.

Your homestay family will make you feel very welcome. They will be chosen because they like similar things to you. In most homestays you will share a bathroom with other people in the family. In Australia, all family members help with household chores. You may have to do your own ironing, clean your own room, and help with the cooking.

We choose homestay families very carefully. They may have children of any age (not necessarily teenagers), or they may not have children at all. There may be other relatives living in the home. They may live in an apartment in the city or on a large property in a country area.

Every host family will happily welcome you into their home and treat you as a member of the family. Our host families love to share their homes with international students. We will match you with a host family that likes similar things to you – like going to the beach or art galleries. All homestay families get checked, including a police identity check and criminal history check.

Blue Card Services gives Blue Cards to people working with and hosting children. This helps to protect children and young people in Queensland. The application process includes a police identity check and criminal history check.

Schools must give detailed homestay family information to you at least 4 weeks before your arrival.

Most problems with host families happen because of miscommunication and culture shock. You have a homestay coordinator based at your school to help you solve any problems you feel you have with your family.

If after discussions, meetings and negotiations your problems cannot be solved, then a change of host family is possible. We want to make sure you feel comfortable with your homestay family.

No. Students are not allowed to live independently at any time during their studies, even if they are over 18 years old. You must live in homestay or with a parent or approved close relative for all your course.

An Australian Government survey showed that tuition fees and living costs in Australia were consistently less than in the USA and UK. Tuition fees will be different for different courses and will depend on how long the course goes for. Living costs will differ by location and lifestyle.

Find out more about program and homestay fees.

Tuition fees cover tuition costs, textbook hire and compulsory school excursions. To confirm your application for enrolment you will need to pay your tuition fees and homestay fees (if homestay is required) for a minimum 6 months (or for the length of your program if it is shorter than 6 months). You will also need to pay the cost of your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Find out more about program fees.

Tuition fees do not include homestay accommodation, school uniforms and materials such as pens, calculators and other items of stationery. They do not include all non-compulsory activities (for example, a school skiing trip). The fees also do not include passport and visa fees, personal spending money, and any charges for public transport costs to and from school.

Find out more about program fees.

At most Queensland Government school students must wear the school uniform. The uniform for each school is different. You can visit a school’s website to find out about uniform rules and costs.

Most schools have second-hand uniform shops to help families save money.

It is your duty to buy the school uniform. These costs are not part of the tuition fees paid before enrolment.

Your homestay family will make sure you get to school and home again on the first day. When you are happy to travel to school on your own, your homestay family may show you the best way to do that.

How you travel will differ depending on the location of your homestay and the distance to school. You may walk, catch a bus/train/ferry, cycle or be driven by car to school.

You must cover the cost of travel to and from school each day. Costs depend on the distance travelled but are usually between A$15 and $25 per week.

The international student coordinator or the homestay coordinator at your host school is available during school hours for help with English, school or personal issues.

During your welcome at your school, important phone numbers will be given to you. This includes our emergency hotline, 1800 QSTUDY (+61 1800 778 839). You can call 1800 QSTUDY before 9am and after 3pm on school days, and 24 hours during weekends, public holidays and school vacations.

Find out more about our support team.

It is normal for students to feel homesick for a short time and to have some problems getting used to a different place and school. Learning to get through these things yourself, with the help of your homestay family, staff and teachers at your school, and our team is one of the benefits of enrolling in our program. It builds self-confidence and maturity.

Help is always available to you. All you need to do is ask.

The subjects you can take in high school will change whether you join the program at the beginning or during the Queensland school year. Check with your agent and the school you’ve chosen to make sure you can study the subjects you’d like to study.

Queensland schools have many sports teams. Students may join based on their ability and whether there is room for extra players. We have different seasons for sports, so check if your sport is being played during your stay. You can also play sport by joining a local sports club in your school or homestay area.

You should choose your school carefully before lodging your application as you cannot change from one school to another except in compassionate and compelling circumstances. If you wish to transfer schools you must have your parents apply in writing. A transfer fee may apply to any approved transfer.

Yes. You may extend your program if your school and your family approve. We need a written request from your parents at least 2 months before the end of your current study program. We can give you an extended Confirmation of Enrolment to take to the Department of Home Affairs to extend your student visa.

You need to give notice in writing from your parents explaining the reason for withdrawing. For further information, refer to International Student Program terms and conditions of enrolment and ongoing enrolment—subclass 500 (schools) visa procedure.

Most schools hold classes from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday except for public holidays, school holidays and student-free days.

More information on terms dates and school holidays can be found on the Queensland Government schools website.

On your first day of school, the school international student coordinator will meet you. The school will welcome you with an orientation program, introduce you to other students and school staff responsible for international students, take you for a tour of the school, help you choose subjects and to buy your school uniform.

Yes, the first time you arrive in Queensland, an airport meet-and-greet service is provided between 6am and 9pm as part of your program fees for no additional cost. This service is not available to students starting primary school.

Please check with your airline about their requirements for travel by unaccompanied minors. If you want to be met you need to complete an arrival details form. This form will be sent to you with your Confirmation of Enrolment.

Find out more about airport pickup.

There are many activities students can do outside of school. They can join sports clubs (soccer, rugby, basketball, volleyball, skating, swimming, surfing, dancing, etc.) or visit the many public parks for picnics, swimming, walking, hiking, and cycling.

Queensland also has great national parks and beaches, and an exciting music and arts industry—students can enjoy cinema, theatre and concert events. There are also lots of different shopping malls.

Speak with your school staff about what activities are available in your area and check when you may need to get approval from your parents and/or the school to join in.

We organise Holiday Adventure programs to lots of destinations to give you the chance to travel and see other parts of Australia. These programs are fully supervised by school staff and are lots of fun.

Your safety is always our top priority. Your parents can be sure that we’ll do everything we can to keep you safe during your study and until you return home. Queensland is a safe place with well-developed systems that protect the wellbeing of young people.

We have an emergency hotline for you to call—1800 QSTUDY (+61 1800 778 839). You can also call it in before 9am and after 3pm on school days, and 24 hours during weekends, public holidays and school vacations.

The hotline is looked after by experienced staff and school support officers who can help you, your family, your host family and your agent.

We have a safe travel procedure for all international students. It is up to you to use the appropriate form (PDF, 430KB) to ask to travel. It is your school principal's responsibility to consider all travel requests.

Travel under the supervision of a relative over the age of 21 years, your host family, school or on a trip organised by us or another approved organisation is allowed, but only during school holidays.

Yes. International students under 16 years of age may work up to 12 hours per week during course time and up to 20 hours per week during holiday periods. Students over 16 years can work up to 20 hours a week during course time and full-time during holiday periods.

You will need to speak to school staff about your wish to work after you have started school. Your request will be reviewed by your school principal to make sure there will be no negative impact on your studies or results.

In most cases, someone from your host family will take you to the airport on departure to say goodbye. If they can’t, a staff member from your host school will take you.

If you wish to continue your education at a Queensland university, you need to complete Year 11 and 12 and get a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). A huge number of undergraduate degree courses are available to you at all 10 universities in Queensland.

You can also apply to go to a vocational education and training (VET) provider.

Talk to the guidance officer at your school or the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) for information on your options for study after finishing high school.

More information on tertiary education options is available on the Study Queensland website.

Yes. It is possible for your studies in Queensland to be recognised overseas. Queensland qualifications are respected for employment and entry into study at universities around the world. It is important to speak with each university to find out their entry requirements.

You will get written progress reports at the end of each school term or semester and help will be given so you achieve your best. Read the Recognition of Queensland school reports fact sheet.

Please check with your home country school before undertaking your overseas studies to make sure that they will recognise your overseas studies.

If you still have questions, you can get a personal answer.

International students must apply for a student visa 500. Your visa must be valid for the whole time you are studying one of our programs.

If you are a student and have a guardian travelling with you, they will need to apply for a visa as well (see Form 157n (PDF, 292KB)).

See student guardian visa 590. Their visa must also be valid for the whole time they are your guardian.

No. You can only study in one of our programs once have applied for and been given a student visa 500 before you arrive into Australia.

We offer welfare and accommodation, as required in the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (Standard 5), for international students in Years 7 to 12 who request this service.

Students must have and maintain a student visa 500. Homestay accommodation is not available for any other type of visa before, during or after the education program.

Yes. You must let us and your school know in advance of any visa changes that could cancel your student visa while you are here studying. Our staff can help you plan and make sure the correct applications and paperwork are submitted.

Visa changes impact enrolment status, welfare arrangements and fees, as well as your immigration status. You may even need to depart Australia if you do not have immigration-accepted arrangements in place for your age.

We can only provide accommodation and welfare responsibility while you hold a student visa and for the welfare period specified in your Enrolment Agreement. As soon as you hold another type of visa, it is not possible to remain in our homestay or to make plans directly with a family.

Applying for another visa may cancel your student visa during your stay, so be sure that your parents arrive before visa changes happen so that you withdraw from your homestay.

No. It is not possible to stay in your homestay after the program by extending your homestay while waiting for your parents. Your parents must arrive during the last week of your welfare and homestay as indicated in your Enrolment Agreement.

If you know your plans for after finishing your studies at the time you apply to us, we may be able to negotiate an additional week of welfare when we issue your Enrolment Agreement. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Visa changes can have unexpected consequences.

If your visa changes, you may no longer be eligible for our International Student Program and this can affect your study progress. Please contact us and your school whenever there is a change to your visa status. If you are using an education agent, include them in your communication.

Our staff will provide you with guidance and information about the steps you need to consider before starting any changes. You can only remain in the International Student Program and homestay while you hold a student visa 500.

A student guardian visa holder is responsible for the care and accommodation needs of their dependant/s until they complete their study or turn 18 years. If you do need to leave the child/ren in Australia, it is your responsibility to contact us immediately and make arrangements for their welfare with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) (see Form 157n (PDF, 292KB)).

See student guardian visa 590. You must have DHA’s approval of the new arrangement before you leave the country.