Ballarat Grammar

For ease of payment, the Annual Tuition Fee and Boarding Fee is charged in four equal instalments, and each term’s fees are payable prior to the beginning of that term. A student will not normally be allowed to commence a new term whilst any amount on their School Account is unpaid.

If you wish, payments can be arranged by regular direct debit instalments. Please contact the Accounts Department should you require further information about setting this up. Ballarat Grammar appreciates the substantial commitment which parents make in committing to pay school fees and is intent on making payment procedures as convenient as possible.

A term’s notice in writing must be given to the Headmaster prior to the removal of a student, otherwise one Term’s fees will be charged. Any change from Boarder to Day status or vice-versa requires the prior permission of the Headmaster following a request giving at least a term’s notice. This notice or request can be sent via email to headmaster@bgs.vic.edu.au.

Cheques to be made payable to Ballarat Grammar. Payment can also be made via MasterCard or Visa (no surcharge), Amex (surcharge 0.95%), BPay or direct debit. Our Accounts Department is available to discuss any of the above by emailing debtors@bgs.vic.edu.au or by calling (03) 5338 0828.

Sibling Rebates

A reduction in Tuition Fees will be applied where two or more siblings of the one family attend the School concurrently, to a maximum of 45%. Rebates are, for the first child, nil; second child, 15%; for the third child, 30%; fourth and subsequent child, 45%. A reduction of 10% of Boarding Fees will be applied to the second and subsequent children of the one family boarding at the School concurrently. In order to be eligible for Sibling Rebates, the children must be enrolled on the same family account.

Scholarships and Bursaries

It is conditional for continued tenure of Scholarships and Bursaries that the School Account remains within the above terms for payment of School Accounts.

Fees Paid in Advance

A discount against the Fees is given for amounts paid in advance as at the first day of each term and is only payable once a student has commenced at the School. The discount rates are as follows:

Nil less than $1,000

3.5% per annum on the amount in excess of $1,000

These rates are subject to change with one term’s notice.

Early Acceptance Program

Ballarat Grammar offers an Early Acceptance Program for admission to Prep with an incentive of a $500 fee reduction upon the child beginning Prep at Ballarat Grammar. An application to the Early Acceptance Program can be made any time from the birth of the child to 12 months prior to entry. Further information is available from the Admissions Office or Accounts Department.

Netbook Levy

A Netbook (laptop/device) Levy of $130 per term will apply for students in Years 7 to 12 which contributes towards the provision and support of a laptop device, software and associated network infrastructure. Parents may be eligible for tax deductions for the Levy. Insurance is provided on laptop devices and where applicable, an excess will be charged to the School Account for claims made that are not covered by warranty. The amount of the excess and further detail are in the Personal Netbook Program Contract.

The Application Fee is $100 per child (non-refundable). This fee is to offset the administrative costs associated with enrolments. Following an offer of a place at the School, a NON-REFUNDABLE Admission Deposit is payable to secure this enrolment. This is a family deposit for the first child entering the School and is normally due by 30 June prior to commencement, or within two months of the offer of enrolment (unless alternative special arrangements are in place). Deposit for entry into the Junior School is $4,000 and Senior School $6,000. The deposit will be credited towards the School Account for the new entrant, and will also qualify for the Fees in Advance Discount as detailed above.Application Fees and Admission Deposit

Computer Equipment

Ballarat Grammar provides access to computer equipment, data usage and WIFI internet access across the campus without extra charge. Volume charges will apply for print, copy and data usage above allocated levels.

City Cite (Year 9 Melbourne Experience)

The above fees cover the cost of school facilities and programs for Year 9 students who will spend three weeks at City Cite. These fees do not include cost of accommodation and meals at City Cite. Boarders will receive a rebate of $250 in total if accommodation and meals are not required in Ballarat during these weeks.

Music Fee

Sessional Music teachers charge on a basis of $37.60 for a half-hour lesson.

Vocational Education & Training Studies (Vet) Studies

Senior School Students undertaking a VET subject through the Highlands LLEN are eligible for a subsidy to reduce the cost of this program. An amount equivalent to 75% of the course fee to a maximum of $2,000 will be contributed by Ballarat Grammar. Where a student is completing two VET subjects, the subsidy will be equivalent of 75% of each course fee to a maximum of

$3,000 across both courses. The balance is payable via the School Account.

Late Payment

A Late Payment Fee of 1.5% per month will be charged on accounts not paid by the commencement of each term. This fee may be varied where prior arrangements have been made with the Finance Manager for Direct Debit instalments. The School reserves the right to enter legal proceedings and issue caveats over property held by those legally responsible for payment, where it is deemed to be necessary by the Finance Committee. Parents experiencing difficulties with payments are encouraged to contact the Accounts Department or Headmaster.

Insurance – Personal, Property & Health

Ballarat Grammar accepts no responsibility for damage or loss of personal property (including students’ personal effects, computers, bikes, and motor vehicles on site). Nevertheless, the School naturally takes due care to prevent such loss. Similarly, students are not automatically covered by Student Accident Insurance. Parents are strongly advised to make their own arrangements for suitable private health cover.

Laundry Fee

The Boarding Fee incorporates a standard fee for Laundry. However, where standard volumes and cleaning requirements have been exceeded, excess costs will be charged to individual students’ accounts.

Fee Payment Protection

The Ballarat Grammar Foundation operates a Fees Trust, which provides for payment of school fees on the death or total incapacity of a fee-paying parent. The protection also provides for fee refunds where a student is absent from the School for more than two consecutive weeks because of illness or accident. This cover is charged at a flat rate of 2.5% of total fees and is highly recommended.

Please note that a reversal of this charge can only be applied in advance, prior to the commencement of cover. No reversals are able to be applied to terms for which cover was operating. Please ensure that you have notified the School in writing should you no longer wish to have this cover.

Fees During a Period of Absence

The payment of fees during a period of absence are addressed in the Parents’ Charter which is available on the School Website.

Voluntary Building Fund

A non-compulsory Tax-Deductible Building Fund Donation of $75 per term is shown on each family’s statement. A receipt for tax substantiation is available upon request. The contribution to this fund, which most families make, helps to ensure that students at Grammar will continue to enjoy the best possible educational facilities.

Please note that reversal of Donations can only be applied to current and future terms, because these donations are forwarded to the Foundation each term.