Student Enrolment Census

4. Eligibility for Student Resource Package funding

Generally, Australian born residents and holders of a New Zealand passport are eligible for Student Resource Package (SRP) funding. Holders of resident visas, temporary resident visa and bridging visas may be eligible for SRP funding, depending on the particular visa they hold.

For further information or queries regarding the enrolment of overseas students, temporary entrants or exchange students and fee liability refer to 8 Key contacts.

Overseas/international students

Some international students are eligible for SRP funding and some students need to pay fees to study in a Victorian government school, it all depends on the visa they hold.

To find out if a student is eligible for SRP funding, schools should refer to the International Student Visa Fee Table.

There are different enrolment procedures depending on whether the student needs to pay a fee or not. These are included in the student visa fee table guide. For instructions on how to enter visa details see: Appendix: CASES21 instructions.

The visa fee table also includes information about the eligibility and documentation requirements for students on bridging visas and protection visa applicants.

Students on bridging visas

Whether a student is eligible for SRP funding when they are on a bridging visa is determined by the visa held by the student immediately prior to receiving their bridging visa. If that visa was exempt from paying fees to study in a Victorian government school, the student is eligible for SRP funding while they are on the bridging visa. If that visa was fee liable, the student needs to pay fees and enrol in the International Student Program.

Protection visa applicants

An international student is not charged tuition fees to attend a government school in Victoria if they have applied for a Protection Visa. The student becomes fee exempt from the day the protection visa application is lodged.

The family must provide evidence they have applied for a protection visa to the school. Acceptable evidence of lodgement includes: a visa lodgement receipt or letter from the Red Cross (Asylum Seeker's Assistance Scheme) or Department of Home Affairs which clearly indicates that the student is included in the Protection visa application.

The school must continue to monitor the student’s visa status. If the student’s protection visa application is rejected by the Department of Home Affairs, the student may become fee liable again. Schools receive Student Resource Package funding for protection visa applicants.

Please contact the International Education Division on +61 3 7022 1000 or via international@education.vic.gov.au if you have any questions about protection visa applicants.

Exchange students

Exchange students are eligible for SRP funding if they hold subclass 500 Student Visas issued via an Advice and Acceptance of Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) form provided by the Victorian Registrations and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).

A school enrolling a secondary exchange student must ensure they receive the student’s AASES form on arrival, complete the Part D, and keep a copy of the AASES form on file.

Children participating in early education programs at specialist schools

Children participating in early education programs at specialist schools are not eligible for SRP enrolment funding. Please ensure that these children are set to non-SRP funded prior to submitting your school’s census return.