School Based Fees

• At Cairns SDE, some subjects incur a fee. These fees cover the cost of basic materials and texts required for the subject. There are no subject fees for school based primary students in Year 5 & Year 6. ​
• For secondary students, subject fees only apply to overseas students who hold a student visa subclass 500. A list of subject fees applicable to overseas students are found in School Based Subject Fees for Software (PDF, 111KB)​​​​.
  
• Subject fees will be invoiced to the base school shortly after enrolment commences and are payable by the school (not the parent). Subject fees are non refundable.

Education Queensland International (EQI) Distance Education Fees

State schools are required to cover the distance education costs when a school of distance education has accepted an EQI student to study via distance education after day 20.  The cost is set at $250 per-subject, per-term. This cost includes all subject curriculum resources and administration charges. Schools are not charged additional subject fees to study subject/s by distance education. Refer to the Distance education - subclass 500 (schools) visa procedure for further information.​

• Payment methods are listed on the bottom of the invoice and include over the phone card payment and BPOINT.
• Invoices may also be paid via EFT and base schools can contact Cairns School of Distance Education​ for bank account information. 
• Invoices are issued to the base school principal via an automatic email process. Non-State school Principal's invoices will be sent to the email address listed in the Non-State School Accreditation Board's Directory.
• All invoices are payable within 30 days of issue.
• The nominated school based supervisor will be notified once invoices are issued and the base school may request copies of their invoices by emailing schoolbasedenrolments@cairnssde.eq.edu.au

Distance Education Fee Waivers & Refunds – Non-State Schools

Distance Education Fee Waivers

• SDE Principals may waive Distance Education fees​, either entirely or partly, if satisfied through particular circumstances as outlined in section 54 External link of the EGPA.
• ​The circumstances that the SDE Principal must consider in deciding to waive a distance education fee are detailed in section 54 of the Act (https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-2006-039).
• ​​Waiver application forms may be downloaded on the Cairns School of Distance Education website and may be emailed to schoolbasedenrolments@cairnssde.eq.edu.au for consideration.
• One waiver application form is required for each student.
• Sufficient supporting evidence must be supplied with the application for waiver for the principal to make an informed decision.
• If granted, a waiver is applicable for that school year. Subsequent waivers may be applied for and granted if the student continues their enrolment. 

Distance Education Fee Refunds​

• The base school may apply for a refund of the paid distance education fee, in accordance with Section 71 of the Regulation (https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2017-0161#sec.71) when, due to a change in their personal circumstances, the student is no longer undertaking a component or a program of distance education and has been exited from Cairns School of Distance Education.
• Refunds are only be granted when the Distance Education fee has been paid in full.
• Refund applications must be received prior to the end of Semester 1 of the school year to which the fee relates and include details of the change of circumstances.
• No refunds are available for students who were enrolled at the beginning of Semester 2 and refunds will be paid to the base school (not the parent/guardian).
• Refunds are calculated in accordance with the Refund look-up table.
• The Distance Education fee cannot be refunded if the refund application form has not been submitted before the end of Semester 1 regardless of the exit date.
• Refund application forms can be downloaded on the Cairns School of Distance Education website and may be emailed to schoolbasedenrolments@cairnssde.eq.edu.au for consideration.
• One refund application form is required for each student.

Who to Contact

For any queries regarding fees arising from enrolment, please contact the School Based Enrolments team in the first instance​. ​