Moving to Sydney - Jan 2015 - applying for primary schools?

[playftseforme]

Hi
My dh is being relocated to Sydney - on a 457 visa. He will be going out 2 months ahead of us, we'll all be there mid-Jan. How should I/do I go about applying for schools?

We're looking at primary state schools (dd will be 8 in Nov). I understand that I need to apply to schools directly, there isn't a central admissions process by area. I also believe that not all schools take children who are there on a 457 visa. How best to find out about schools to apply to? Are there any general school websites? I'm also assuming that I won't be able to formally apply until I have housing (i.e. an address) sorted out?

Any advice will be most gratefully received. Thanks v much

Hello I did this last year. Applying for schools much easier than uk in many ways as schools have catchment areas (which you will find on websites). Children living within those catchments go to that school if they wish to school must find the space to accommodate them.

Like you we were on 457's and this does slightly complicate things. I found most schools were fine with our visa on north shore only neutral bay wouldn't take them. They only way to check seems to be to email the school.

We then ruled out renting in those areas. You can't do anything before you rent then go along to school with rental agreement and sort out enrolment. Assume you also know that you'll pay $5000 a year as an overseas student on 457? This must be paid before they can start.

My advice would be work roughly where you want to live. Email schools checking visa requirements and catchments or rentals. Then when you've rented perhaps hubby could go to the school pay your money and get sorted. We went along to school on first day office was open (Tuesday) and by Friday had two kids enrolled. Was relatively stress free and sydney schools often big and there is lots of movement so office used to it.

Good luck!

OP see if this helps
www.expatarrivals.com/australia/sydney/education-and-schools-in-sydney

And if you're arriving in January it is the start of the academic year, so a good time to go!

Enjoy.

foodfairy and ohtobeanonymous thanks so much for your info, somehow I'm reasonably confident about sorting most stuff out but the school side was worrying me. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction xx