Relocating as a family

Enjoy a great family lifestyle

Perth is a welcoming city for families, with beautiful beaches, parks, playgrounds and plenty of attractions to enjoy together. From Perth Zoo and AQWA to nature reserves and play centres, there's always something new to explore.

Find things to do in and around Perth

Sending your children to school

You can enrol your school-aged children in public or private schools, provided the school has the capacity to accept them. Placements for Murdoch University students are done in partnership with TAFE International.

Please note that Kindergarten is not compulsory in Western Australia, and therefore these placements are extremely limited.

If you are enrolled in a Masters by Research or PHD courses

If you are studying a Masters by Research degree or PhD, and currently hold a 500 visa, you may be eligible to enrol your school-aged children into a public primary or secondary school, at the same fees as local students.  Due to the high demand for enrolment of local residents in public schools, an overseas student may not be able to enrol at their most preferred or nearest public school.  

You will need a Confirmation of Placement  from TAFE International to secure your child's dependent visa before they arrive.  Please note that the Confirmation of Placement does not guarantee the enrolment of your children in a WA school.  

More information is available at the TIWA website.  

To apply for a fee waiver placement for your child, kindly submit an email request to  Sch.for.Dependants@murdoch.edu.au  and attach the current visa grant notification for you and each child.              

• You must be currently enrolled as a Masters by Research or PHD student and be onshore with your dependant/s to be eligible.  

If you are deemed eligible for the Fee Waiver, the University will send you the application form and the TAFE International (TIWA) online application link. Parents must approach schools with their completed form to request a school placement, before lodging their application form and documents online with TIWA.  

If you have any questions regarding schooling for dependants of international students, please  contact us. 

To support families who are already studying in, or planning to study in, Western Australia, transitional arrangements will apply. Families who have already been granted a fee waiver will continue to receive this benefit for the duration of the student's postgraduate studies at a recognised Western Australian university.

The fee waiver will also continue to apply to any younger children in the same family who enrol in a Western Australian Government school in the future. 

In addition, families of Master by Coursework postgraduate students, who are issued with a Confirmation of Placement in a Western Australian Government School letter on or before 30 November 2026 will remain eligible for the fee waiver.

To ensure sufficient time for processing, families should lodge their application by 4pm Wednesday 25 November 2026. Once approved, the fee waiver will continue for the duration of the student's postgraduate studies and will also apply to any younger children in the family who enrol in a Western Australian Government School at a later date. 

If you are enrolled in an undergraduate course

If you are studying an undergraduate course and have school-aged children, you will need a  Confirmation of Placement  from TAFE International to secure your child's dependent visa before they arrive. 

Please note that the Confirmation of Placement does not guarantee the enrolment of your children in a WA school.  You will be required to pay international tuition fees for schooling.  

Information regarding non-government schooling options can be found at the following links:  Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia  and Catholic Education Western Australia  

If you are studying at one of our pathway institutions

If you are studying at one of our pathway institutions, email international.admissions@murdoch.edu.au to discuss your options.