Country guide

Boarding Schools in Australia

For international students under 18, the Australian Department of Home Affairs requires evidence of welfare arrangements as part of a Student visa (subclass 500) application. Normally the education provider approves the arrangements and issues a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW), or a parent or eligible relative is nominated as guardian. Boarding is one way a school can provide accommodation and welfare, which is why the CAAW dates matter to the visa.

Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge across the harbour with the city skyline behind — Destination image. Photo: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0

Coverage: 63 schools and 65 campuses published so far. Research is substantial for this country but not exhaustive.

Terminology: Year levels (for example Year 7 to Year 12), with state-specific senior certificates.

Country notes reviewed 17 October 2026.

How boarding works in Australia

Welfare arrangements for students under 18

As published by the Department of Home Affairs on 2026-10-17: an applicant under 18 must provide Form 1229 (or a statutory declaration) with each parent's or guardian's consent, or evidence of sole custody, plus evidence of adequate welfare arrangements. Options are a CAAW approved by the education provider, an AASES form for secondary exchange students, or a nominated guardian using Form 157N. Check the official page before applying; none of this guarantees a visa. official source

CAAW dates and arrival

As published by Home Affairs on 2026-10-17: welfare arrangements must run until the student turns 18, and the CAAW period must cover the Confirmation of Enrolment period plus 7 days. A student must not enter Australia before the welfare start date, which is a visa condition, and must not change arrangements without the provider's written approval. official source

Nominated guardians

As published by Home Affairs on 2026-10-17: a nominated guardian must be the student's parent, a person with custody, or a relative aged 21 or over nominated in writing by a parent or custodian. A guardian who is not a parent or custodian must supply police certificates, passport details and proof of relationship and residency. Home Affairs states that a guardian who must leave Australia needs approval of alternative arrangements first. official source

Sources

States and territories with schools

Schools

65 campuses from 63 schools, listed A to Z by school name. Paid placements are labelled and never change this order.

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Accepts international applicantsScholarships or financial assistance publishedDay places also availableReligious affiliation published

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Abbotsleigh
Wahroonga, New South Wales
- Research checked
An Anglican girls' day and boarding school in Wahroonga, Sydney, teaching from Pre Kindergarten to Year 12 with boarding houses grouped by year level.
Boarding
Full boarding
Boarding entry
The 2026 fee schedule lists boarding fees for Year 6 to Year 12.
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: Pre Kindergarten to Year 12
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)
Brisbane, Queensland
- Research checked
A boys' Anglican school in East Brisbane whose 24/7 boarding programme brings together boys from the country, the regions and the world, with a transition designed for…
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Support and environments are designed especially for Year 7 boarders.
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Aquinas College
Perth, Western Australia
- Research checked
A college in Salter Point, Perth, with four boarding houses: Brothers, Nunan, Pinder Boor and Gibney.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
The Aquinas Connect program supports students entering Year 7 boarding the following year.
School
Not confirmed, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
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Ascham School
Edgecliff, New South Wales
- Research checked
An independent girls' school in Edgecliff, Sydney, from Prep to Year 12, with boarding houses for girls in Years 7 to 12.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Boarders from Years 7 to 12.
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Ages taught: Prep to Year 12
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Brisbane Boys' College
Brisbane, Queensland
- Research checked
A boys' day and boarding school in Brisbane, Queensland, with a single boarding house (Rudd House) for up to 150 boys in Years 7 to 12.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Boarding facilities for up to 150 students from Years 7 to 12.
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
A$69,960 per year
boarding (pattern not named). Domestic pupils. 2026. Tuition (published per year) plus boarding charge (published per year).
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Brisbane Grammar School
Brisbane, Queensland
- Research checked
A Brisbane school for boys with day and boarding places; boarders live in Griffith House (Years 5 to 8) and Harlin House (Years 9 to 12).
Boarding
Full boarding
Boarding entry
Boarding houses: Griffith House for Years 5 to 8 and Harlin House for Years 9 to 12.
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
A$58,960 to A$71,960 per year
boarding (pattern not named). 2026. Range across the year groups the school lists.
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Calrossy Anglican School
Tamworth, New South Wales
- Research checked
An Anglican day and boarding school in Tamworth, NSW, offering boarding for girls and boys on separate campuses from Years 7 to 12.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Boarding from Years 7 to 12.
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Canberra Grammar School
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
- Research checked
A co-educational independent school on a Red Hill campus in Canberra with separate boys' and girls' boarding houses for Years 7 to 12 and about 140 boarders.
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding
Boarding entry
Boarding is available for students in Years 7 to 12.
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Christ Church Grammar School
Perth, Western Australia
- Research checked
A boys' school in Claremont, Perth, whose Walters Boarding House overlooking the Swan River houses more than 100 boarders in Years 7 to 12; Urban Boarding options are…
Boarding
Flexible boarding
Boarding entry
Boarders from Years 7 to 12; Urban Boarding is for students from Years 7 to 12.
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Clayfield College
Brisbane, Queensland
- Research checked
A school in the Brisbane suburb of Clayfield, a school of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association, with a boarding house and urban boarding options (daily…
Boarding
Weekly boarding, Flexible boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Not confirmed, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Concordia Lutheran College
Toowoomba, Queensland
- Research checked
A Lutheran co-educational day and boarding college in Toowoomba, Queensland, with separate boarding houses for girls and boys on the Stephen Street campus.
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Cranbrook School
Sydney, New South Wales
- Research checked
An independent school in Bellevue Hill, Sydney, with two boarding houses (Rawson and Street) for about 75 boarders at the Senior School.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Not confirmed, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Downlands College
Toowoomba, Queensland
- Research checked
A co-educational school in Toowoomba, Queensland, with five boarding houses and boarding for up to 300 students from Year 7 to Year 12.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
From Year 7 to Year 12.
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Fairholme College
Toowoomba, Queensland
- Research checked
An all-girls school in Toowoomba, Queensland, whose boarders make up over a third of the student body, with about 220 girls and staff living on campus.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Frensham
Mittagong, New South Wales
- Research checked
A girls' boarding school in Mittagong, NSW, where more than 70% of the students live in residence across two junior and two senior boarding houses.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Geelong Grammar School, Corio Campus
Corio, Victoria
- Research checked
A co-educational independent day and boarding school in Victoria with campuses at Corio, Timbertop and Toorak; boarding is offered at Corio (from Year 7) and Timbertop…
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding
Boarding entry
Boarding begins for students at Corio Campus from Year 7. Weekly boarding is listed for Middle School (Years 7 to 8); day boarders or full boarders in Senior School.
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Victorian Certificate of Education, IB Diploma Programme
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: Corio Campus: Prep to Year 8 and Year 10 to Year 12 (Year 9 is spent at Timbertop)
Annual boarding fee
A$94,040 to A$98,820 per year
full boarding. Domestic pupils. 2027. Range across the year groups the school lists.
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Geelong Grammar School, Timbertop Campus
Timbertop, Victoria
- Research checked
A co-educational independent day and boarding school in Victoria with campuses at Corio, Timbertop and Toorak; boarding is offered at Corio (from Year 7) and Timbertop…
Boarding
Full boarding
Boarding entry
All students attend Timbertop as full boarders.
School
Co-educational
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: Year 9
Annual boarding fee
A$98,820 per year
full boarding. Domestic pupils. 2027. Tuition and boarding, published per year.
View profile
Great Southern Grammar
Albany, Western Australia
- Research checked
A co-educational school in Albany, Western Australia, with junior boarding for Years 7 and 8 and boarding open to families from regional Western Australia; a Rural…
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Junior boarding is described for Year Seven and Eight students; the boarding page covers senior boarding as well.
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
Guildford Grammar School
Guildford, Western Australia
- Research checked
A girls' and boys' independent school in Guildford, Western Australia, with a boarding precinct of three houses for boarders from Year 7 to Year 12.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
From Year 7 to Year 12, boarders benefit from age-appropriate care.
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Ages taught: Early childhood to Year 12
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile
Haileybury Rendall School
Darwin, Northern Territory
- Research checked
A school in Darwin, Northern Territory, with three boarding houses across separate male and female residences for domestic and international students in Years 7 to 12.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Years 7 - 12.
School
Not confirmed, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
View profile

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