International Students Program

Summary of Williamstown’s ISP

Studying in Victoria

Victorian government schools are a destination of choice for international students. Our schools provide international students with a high-quality education, excellent English language tuition, caring welfare support services, secure homestay, and pathways to higher education. To learn more about studying and living in Victoria as an international student, see: www.study.vic.gov.au

Established in 1914, Williamstown High School is one of Melbourne’s oldest and most distinguished schools. Today’s learning community reflects proudly on its past but looks firmly to the future for its students. Senior students are well supported and consistently achieve high results on the Victorian Certificate of Education. Students are encouraged to participate in a range of extracurricular activities, including sport, drama, music, leadership and social awareness. International students are welcomed in years 10-12 and join local students aiming for academic achievement and success with strong career and pathway support into university.

Williamstown High School International Student Program is a well-established program that has been active since 1995. Many of our international students have advanced to top-tier universities in Australia. In 2021 the dux of Williamstown High School received the equal highest ATAR in Victoria of 99.95, placing them in the top 0.05% of students in the state. In 2022 the school’s dux received an ATAR of 99.70, placing them in the top 0.25% of Victorian students.

Williamstown High School is a school renowned for its excellent results and perfect study scores. Over 90% of our VTAC students receive an offer from their university of choice in the first round of offers, with the majority of accepted students attending highly-ranked universities such as Melbourne University, Monash University and RMIT.

Enrolment

Most international students must apply to the Department of Education in order to study in a Victorian government school. To learn about the application types and to apply, see: How to apply

To enrol into the international program at Williamstown High School:

Head to http://www.study.vic.gov.au
Select “How to Apply”
Select “Apply Online Now”
Complete the online application system. During this process – select “Williamstown High School” as your top preference school.

Entry Requirements

Williamstown High School’s International Program can accommodate students in Years 10-12. To ensure students are successful at Williamstown High School, we have found that students with high language and mathematical skills are likely to succeed in the Victorian Certificate of Education. As per Education Department regulations, all international students need to complete 6 months of English study (minimum) at an English Language Centre.

Students who are able to produce an IELTS result of 5.5 (6.0 for VCE) can enter the school without attending an English Language Centre.

If you have any questions regarding entry requirements, including your individual circumstances – please contact Julia Genis at julia.genis@education.vic.edu.au

Williamstown’s International Student Program supports the following:

Study Abroad (6-12 months)

International Students (up to 3 years)

For a student to be successful in VCE at Williamstown High School they will need to have a strong work ethic, be motivated, confident, and display maturity.

Tuition Fee and Additional Costs

Please refer to DET International Division’s fee page regarding tuition fees to study at Williamstown High School: https://study.vic.gov.au/en/international-student-program/school-fees/

Studying in Australia may result in a number of costs outside of tuition fees. This includes:

Homestay Fee: $350.00/week
Additional School Uniforms: $150 – $300
Textbooks: $50 – $200
VCE VCAA Exam Fee: $75 – $475
Excursions: $5-$60 per activity
Mobile Phone Prepaid Plan: $30.00/month
Public Transport: $4.60/day

Fees can change without notice. Please contact the international program coordinator for more information regarding costs of study and living in Australia

Homestay Accommodation

Williamstown High School has partnered with many local families to provide friendly and supportive homestay accommodation for international students aged 15 and up. All host families hold a valid Working With Childrens Check and have been approved by the International Student Coordinator.

The current homestay rate for 2023 at Williamstown High School is $350.00/week. Students will receive:

Single room for only their own use
Three meals a day
Water, Electricity, Gas bills, Internet covered
Wellbeing support from their host family
An experience of living with an Australian based family

Williamstown High School is always looking for new homestay families in Williamstown, Newport, Altona, and other surrounding suburbs to join our program.

If you are interested in hosting a student at Williamstown High School, please contact Julia Genis at julia.genis@education.vic.gov.au

Or fill in the following Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTuOD8LXwat7Wv5Sz5HjnzNMwKwyjChmdloEhM6BgBNYuZow/viewform?usp=sf_link

Third Party Education Providers

Williamstown High School is partnered with the Victorian School of Languages (VSL) and Virtual Schools Victoria (VSV) to provide language subjects that are not offered at the school. This includes VCE Chinese First Language Units 1-4 and Vietnamese First Language Units 1-4. It is recommended that all international students take their native language with VSL.

Williamstown High School is also part of the Hobsons Bay VET Cluster network. This gives students access to a wide range of VET certificates that can be completed as part of their VCE.

International students participating in a VET program are not able to receive a formal certificate qualification upon completion of their VET but will receive credit towards their VCE including a study score (for VETs that are scored) which contributes towards their ATAR.