Paying for state school

[Retrospeaker]

We are considering a move over to Sydneyand I’m researching costs. I’ve just come across a blog stating that it costs about $6k a year to send your child to government primary school. The NSW schools website states education is free but that schools can ask for voluntary contributions. Can anyone explain a bit more to me about this?
I believe in the UK you obviously get charged for trips and things but not much else. Has anyone got experience of both systems?

Public schools in Australia are free for citzens. Temporary citizens pay full tuition fees, but it depends on your visa. The voluntary contributions are requested by most schools for all students.

Public schools are usually zoned, so you won't always get a choice on where to send them.

I'd advise contacting the state's dept of education direct for the most accurate information.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settling-in-australia/settle-in-australia/key-settlement-topics/education-and-training

Thankyou @MermaidMummy06 - I have permanent residency so I don’t think I need to pay temporary resident fees.

I suppose I’m interested in whether the voluntary contributions add up to that much? That’s quite a lot!

The voluntary contribution at my LO's primary school is $60 for the year. The cost of camps and excursions could come to several hundred, but you can apply for help with paying if your child would miss out otherwise.
But I'm not in NSW, or a wealthy area. I suppose Rose Bay primary might be very different, but it seems unlikely it would stretch to $6K. Maybe it was a school without a uniform and the parent felt the need to dress their child very fashionably?

God no, i don't know where you'd pay $6k! That's more like a Catholic school fee.

Voluntary contributions are actually voluntary, they just strongly encourage you to pay them. They were about $50/ year.
I can't remember if there were any subject fees for primary, I think maybe fees for resources like reading/maths software, which was probably $30 or so.
Excursions maybe $100/year, camp if they have one probably $300 or so.
Band fees extra if they're into that.
Sport fees, usually for upper primary where they have the choice to do school sport at the local tennis courts or something, that might be $100 or so.

Some primary schools have BYOD (bring your own device) ie laptop, but even so, that's still not adding up to $6k. That figure is definitely wrong.

On a temporary visa we paid about $5000 per child in NSW 15 years ago
You wouldn't pay that if you have PR

Ok it’s looking like maybe the blog was referring to a family on a temporary visa. That wasn’t made clear. Thanks everyone.

Good luck with the move!

Thankyou so much @Do88byisfree

Are you still there? Whereabouts if so?

Yes still here. Initially was a 2 year adventure before kids started high school and am still here 'temporarily'

🤣🤣🤣

We are saying it’s a 5 year adventure….. but we’ll see!

Good luck!
Hope you settle as happily as we did.
Still hard being away from 'home' but life has been good to us.
It's not all been sunshine and roses but it's been a largely positive experience for us.