Our school is part of an independent school system; a need to charge fees arises from the policy of governments to deliver significantly lower per capita grants to non-state schools than to Education Queensland schools. Whilst this means tuition fees and levies must be charged, it also ensures we are able to maintain some independence as a school system, thus allowing us to achieve the ideals of the Catholic Church in our school organisation.
The schedule of tuition fees is set by Catholic Education Services.
School Levies are set and reviewed annually by the Our Lady Help of Christians School Board and approved by the Parish Priest. These levies include:
- Building Levy (buildings and maintenance)
- P&F Fundraising Levy
- IT Levy
- Resource Levy
Every attempt is made to make an education at Our Lady Help of Christians School affordable. Parents are often pleasantly surprised at the affordability of Catholic Education in the Cairns Diocese, especially when fee schedules are compared with those of other non-government schools such as private or independent schools, or capital city Catholic schools.
Discounts are offered to families where more than one child is attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Cairns. Also available is a means-tested concession card discount. Parents/carers with a means-tested Australian government health care or pensioner concession card may be eligible to receive a 70% discount to tuition fees (does not apply to school levies).
No child will be denied a Catholic education because of genuine financial difficulties. Families experiencing financial hardship can make confidential arrangements with the school. Parents are required to contact the Finance Officer office to arrange an interview. Failure to follow school policy and procedures may result in the engagement of a Debt Recovery Agency.
It is imperative that families who are struggling financially are faithful in paying a contribution to their local school to whatever extent they can afford. It is the expectation that families with the capacity to contribute do so, so that as near to possible to full realisation of this income source can be achieved.
