Secondary School Students
Ages
Secondary school includes Years 8 to 12 with students generally entering Year 8 in the year they turn 13 and finishing Year 12 in the year they turn 17. All 16 and 17 year olds in WA are required to be in school, training or employment or a combination of these.
Curriculum
Lower secondary education Years 8 to 10 maintains continuity of learning with primary education in the curriculum areas of English, mathematics, science, history, the arts, technologies, health and physical education, languages, humanities and social science subjects. Public secondary schools teach a varied and relevant curriculum taught by committed, specialist, professional teachers.
In senior secondary Years 11 and 12, students study courses in greater depth and can choose from 52 general, 10 Vocational and Education Training (VET) specific courses and endorsed programs. All courses, VET and endorsed programs can contribute to the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). Achieving the WACE generally takes two years, but some students may take longer. Students who complete Year 12 will receive a Statement of Results.
Study programs
The study programs for nearly all international students must begin with an English language program.
Teaching
Students usually have a structured timetable – normally with 5 subject lessons each day taught by specific, specialist teachers. The class groups may vary from one subject to the next. Students usually move from one class to the next for each subject.
Class Sizes
Classes from Years 8 to 10 have a maximum of 32 students and classes in Years 11 and 12 a maximum of 25 students.
Pathways to higher education
In Years 11 and 12, students select a study program based on interests and career goals. At the end of Year 12 students wishing to continue to University sit the WACE examinations. For students wishing to be considered for university their standardised moderated school marks (50%) and standardised examination marks (50%) will be used to calculate scaled scores which then result in an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).
The ATAR is a number that indicates a student’s position in relation to all other WA students of Year 12 school leaving age. It takes into account the number of students with a Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA) as well as the number of students of Year 12 school leaving age in the population of WA. The ATAR results allow Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to compare students across Australia for university places.
International students undertaking this pathway require excellent English and a solid background in academic studies aligned to the WACE courses. Students seeking to undertake the WACE examination pathway must consult with school administration and enrolment staff prior to commencement.
Approved Schools
There are 22 approved secondary schools/colleges to choose from. Apart from location and size, they all offer specialist programs such as aviation, multimedia, science and technology, art, music, theatre, tennis, basketball, or football etc. For further information on each school please click the corresponding link.
Applecross Senior High School (www.applecross.wa.edu.au)
Atwell College (www.atwellcollege.wa.edu.au)
Balcatta Senior High School (www.balcattashs.wa.edu.au)
Ballajura Community College (www.bcc.wa.edu.au)
Carine Senior High School (www.carinehs.wa.edu.au)
Como Secondary College (www.como.wa.edu.au)
Cyril Jackson Senior Campus (www.cyriljackson.wa.edu.au)
Greenwood College (www.greenwood.wa.edu.au)
John Forrest Secondary College (www.johnforrest.wa.edu.au)
Kalamunda Senior High School (www.kalamundashs.wa.edu.au)
Kent Street Senior High School (www.kentstreetshs.wa.edu.au)
Kelmscott Senior High School (www.kshs.wa.edu.au)
Kinross College (www.kinrosscollege.com.au)
Leeming Senior High School (www.leeming.wa.edu.au)
Lynwood Senior High School (www.lynwood.wa.edu.au)
Melville Senior High School (www.melville.wa.edu.au)
Morley Senior High School (www.morleyhs.wa.edu.au)
Mount Lawley Senior High School (www.lawley.wa.edu.au)
North Lake Senior Campus (www.northlake.wa.edu.au)
Rockingham Senior High School (www.rockingham.wa.edu.au)
Sevenoaks Senior College (www.sevenoaks.wa.edu.au)
Tuart College (www.tuartcollege.wa.edu.au)
Wanneroo Senior High School (www.wannerooshs.wa.edu.au)
Woodvale Secondary College (www.woodvale.wa.edu.au)
Please note that student placements are restricted to certain year levels in the above schools. For further information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Accommodation
The Australian Government requires all students under the age of 18 to stay with an approved family member or guardian. As part of the application process, ETI will advise and assist in arranging the most appropriate homestay accommodation for the student.
Relatives
International secondary students may also live with an approved relative who must be over 21 years of age and of good character. The parents of the students are required to authorise full carer rights to such relatives.
Homestay
All international secondary students who are not staying with relatives live in homestays which are arranged by Australian Homestay Network on behalf of ETI in advance of their arrival.
Homestay is where the student lives with an approved Australian family who looks after them just as any parent or guardian might. The family provides meals and assists students with their everyday needs such as laundry and cleaning.
Homestay costs – which cover accommodation, food and bills – are A$240 - $270 per week, the specific homestay place and amount is determined in advance of arrival.
Support Services
Each school has an Overseas Student Coordinator who will assist international students with any academic and personal matters. Schools also have a Student Services team who can assist.
English Support
Some secondary schools have intensive ESL programs. ESL may be delivered in specific, intensive English language programs or as part of the mainstream classes depending on the needs of the student. Students who require intensive English support will be required to attend a school with such a program before commencing normal studies. They can then transfer to another approved school. The cost for English programs is included in the tuition fees.
Fees
Tuition fees are A$10,200 for Years 8 – 10.
School fees of A$11,200 per year from Year 11 – 12.
Overseas student health cover is approximately A$463 per year.
Costs
Other costs and expenses involved that are not directly payable to ETI include:
Textbooks and study materials (mainly apply in Yr 11 & 12)
School and sports uniforms (approximately A$150 – A$200)
School excursion and activity charges (e.g. camps, interstate trips)
Optional costs for certain sports or activities (e.g. golf, aeronautics, etc)
Students will also need sufficient money for transport costs, entertainment and other personal expenses. This is around A$150 a week.
Student: Christina Le - Vietnam
