How early can I submit an application for my child?
We accept applications two (2) years in advance prior to the expected year of entrance. For example, if your child is age appropriate for our Reception class in 2026, you may submit an application as early as January 2024.
Is there a deadline for application?
For Reception to Year 10, applications are accepted year-round. Year 11 applications are generally not accepted after Term 1 and Year 12 applications are generally not accepted under normal circumstances. Please contact the Admissions Office directly if you have an enquiry regarding a Year 11 or Year 12 application.
Are priorities given to students on the waitlist?
- Yes. Priorities are as follows:
- Siblings of current students
- Australian or New Zealand passport holders
Our waitlists are accorded by date. The earlier the application the higher the place on our waitlist. For Reception and Preparatory students (both intake years) we also take into account gender equity and student diversity as it is important to have a balance in each class.
Can I make changes to the term or year of admission I would like my child to be considered for enrolment at AISHK? What costs/conditions are involved?
An application has a currency of one (1) year, the academic year for which the applicant is applying. You may defer your child’s application once within the same academic year with no monetary or priority penalty. However, if the requested change falls outside the initial academic year (January-December) then an application deferral fee of HK$500 applies. Please note that when an application is deferred to a new academic year the date of application (for priority purposes) changes from the original date the application was received to the date we receive payment for the deferment.
Is the school open to students who are not Australians?
Yes, children of all nationalities are welcome at AISHK. We have students from over 25 nationalities at AISHK.
What are the nationalities of the teachers at AISHK?
The majority of teaching staff at AISHK are Australian, we also have teachers from a diverse range of nationalities and backgrounds.
Where is the school located?
AISHK is located at 3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Our campus is only a few minutes’ walk from Kowloon Tong MTR (Exit E).
Do you have to live on Kowloon side to attend AISHK?
Students who attend AISHK live all over Hong Kong. AISHK is next to a transport interchange with taxis, buses and MTR. We also have a school bus service with a diverse range of routes – please see our website for more details regarding the school bus.
What is the student to teacher ratio?
Reception: Max 23 students
1 Teacher, 2 Assistants per class
Prep – Year 2: Max 25 student
1 Teacher, 1 Assistant per class
Year 3-6: Max 25 students
1 Teacher per class, 1 Assistant per year level
Year 7-12: Max 25 students
1 Teacher per class
How many students are enrolled at the school?
We have approximately 1,100 students. 60% of students are in Primary and 40% are in Secondary.
Do you accept students with Special Learning Needs at AISHK?
At AISHK we do accept students with special learning needs though students must be able to access the mainstream classroom, with minimal support. We offer learning support through our Learning Enrichment Centre (LEC). Our LEC is a team of dedicated staff members who help support or extend students within the classroom, in Primary and Secondary years. For more details, please contact our Admissions staff.
Will my child have to undertake an entry or assessment interview?
Entry assessments are part of the enrolment process at AISHK, however not all children are required to attend an assessment interview. Once your child’s application has been reviewed, our Admissions staff will contact you if an assessment is necessary.
Does AISHK provide English language support?
Yes, AISHK does provide English language support to students in class, however, student must have enough English language to access the curriculum.
Do you have a Chinese language program at your school?
Yes. The study of Mandarin is mandatory from Reception to Year 6. Prep – Year 6 students will have one 45 minute lesson of Mandarin per day. The Chinese program emphasises communication through talking and listening, reading, responding and writing using simplified Chinese characters.
My child does not know any Chinese – how will he/she learn?
For Reception and Preparatory (semester 1 only) the program is an introduction to Mandarin. Our Chinese language program offers streamed classes from Preparatory (Semester 2). In each year level we offer a beginner, intermediate and background class. Students are placed in class based on their Mandarin skills, which is assessed by our Mandarin teachers at the beginning of the year or in semester 2 of Preparatory.
Are extra curricular activities offered?
Our school provides a wide variety of Extra Curricular Activities (ECA’s). ECA’s are sport and non-sporting pursuits available to AISHK students over and above the regular school curriculum. These activities are organised and led by teachers and support staff with assistance from parents and external coordinators and take place outside the normal school timetable.
Do I have to buy a debenture or pay a capital levy for my child to study at AISHK?
Yes. All students are required to have a debenture purchased or a capital levy paid for them before they start school at AISHK. For more details about debentures and capital levies please refer to the “Tuition and Fees” section under the Application Information tab on our website.
Can I pay the Application Fee by credit card?
Yes. Credit cards payments are accepted at AISHK for the application only.
Does my child need to have a Hong Kong visa before I submit the application?
No. You can submit the application, with all the other required documentation, and send a copy of the visa once it has been stamped in your child’s passport. Note: A valid student or dependant visa must be in place prior to the child’s first day of school. This is a Hong Kong government mandatory requirement.
Does AISHK participate in the National Identity Program?
International schools offering non-local curricula are not mandated to participate in the National Identity Program as directed by the Education Bureau. AISHK students do explore the culture and history of Hong Kong in their studies.
My child is currently in a different curriculum and school calendar to the Australian International School, how do I decided what year to apply for and when they should join AISHK?
Transferring a child from one schooling system and curriculum to another can mean that the year level into which the child will be transferring to may vary to which they have transferred from. Therefore, when guiding parents in regard to the year level that is appropriate for their child, we always look at the child’s age, academic ability, social and emotional development and curriculum studied before deciding on the year level as we need to ensure a smooth transition to our Australian curriculum.
At AISHK we have students join us at the beginning of our school year in January and at the beginning of Term 3 in July/August, after they have completed their current year level in the northern hemisphere school calendar. To assist parents, we would advise you to contact the Admissions Team to discuss further.
