Annual Fee Schedule
Enrolment Application Fee - Online Payment
From 2024, a non-refundable Enrolment Application Fee of $80 per child per family is due and payable at the time of application. Please forward the receipt of payment to PPETFinance@bne.catholic.edu.au.
School Fees Policy
School Fees Policy.pdf
Our Lady of the Way, Petrie, aims to provide a quality education to all students, and for this to be achieved, Fees and Levies are charged.
Fees and Levies collected at Our Lady of the Way are used for the following purposes, which are aligned with the Vision and Mission of the School:
- Provide teaching, administrative, classroom support, and facilities
- Provide essential resources, materials, facilities, and equipment
- Assist with providing activities such as incursions and excursions
- Support the School building program
- Maintain buildings, grounds, and other facilities
Our Lady of the Way charges a Parent and Community Levy (OLW Connect) to support the initiatives of the parents/carers and community within the School.
For those families experiencing short- or long-term genuine inability to pay fees, we are committed to providing support to ensure enrollment is not compromised. Please contact the Principal and/or Finance Secretary for further information concerning the concession application process.
School Fees and Levies Collection Process
- School fees and levies are charged on a school-term basis. A Statement of Fees and Levies is emailed to families by the fourth week of each school term in accordance with the School Fees and Levies Schedule located on the 'School Fees' tile on the BCE Connect App. Parents will be notified on the 'Announcements' tile of the BCE Connect App to advise when statements have been issued.
- Fees are due to be paid within 14 days of the issue of the Statement of Fees and Levies. The due date will be reflected on the Statement, and families are required to make payment in full. A reminder notification to parents will be placed on the 'Announcements' tile of the BCE Connect App prior to the due date.
- Where a parent/guardian believes financial circumstances have arisen that will prevent or delay the payment of the school fee account by the term due date, a variety of options are available:
a. Extension of Time
Please contact the school Finance Office before the due date if an extension is required.
b. Scheduled Payment Plans
Payment of the school fees in regular installments. All payment schedules must ensure that the account is cleared by the end of each term and thus cleared by the last day of the school year or as negotiated with the Principal and/or Finance Secretary.
c. Fee Concession
In cases of financial hardship, a concession application may be completed and submitted to the Finance Secretary with supporting documentation for consideration. An appointment with the family is required upon initial application.
(i) Concession applications are accepted at the commencement of each year or any
point initiated by the family upon commencement of hardship. Concessions are applied to the school fees account for a maximum period of 12 months within a calendar year. Consideration for a subsequent 12-month period will require a new application,
(ii) A compassionate and just approach is taken under the mission and values of Brisbane Catholic
Education and Our Lady of the Way School are used when reviewing applications. They are means-tested in line with Federal Government Poverty Lines and valid for the current year only. All Brisbane Catholic Education schools adopt the same process for assessing eligibility.
(iii) Concession application forms are available via email from the Finance Secretary. For successful applications, agreed payment plans must be paid through Centrepay.
(iv) All matters are dealt with on a confidential basis. - Recovery of unpaid fees
In fairness to families who pay their school fees regularly and on time, Our Lady of the Way will follow up on overdue school fee accounts. The School will make every effort to contact a family with an overdue account and negotiate a payment schedule that aligns with the family's current financial position. This includes contact by SMS, email, and/or phone.
a. A reminder statement/notice/letter will be issued to any family who has not settled their account. This does not apply to any family on a payment schedule or where a special arrangement has been negotiated with the Principal/Finance Secretary.
b. If payment or a suitable response is not received within 14 days, the Finance Secretary will contact the parent(s) via telephone, SMS, or email.
c. Two weeks after this second reminder, if satisfactory arrangements have not been
reached, the account will be sent to the School's registered Debt Collection agency, who will work with the family to address the debt. In this case, payments are to be made to the collection agency until the account is up-to-date. The agency will forward payments monthly to the School to be added to the fees account.
d. In serious cases, where there is apparent capacity to pay outstanding fees, and an arrangement cannot be made or is broken, legal options will be pursued by the School. e.Legal costs, direct debit rejection fees, and any debt collection costs or other costs incurred will be at the family's expense.
Agreed Scheduled Payment Plans
As mentioned in point 3(b) above, our School offers families the opportunity to pay the school fee account in regular BPay instalments over the year. All Agreed Regular Scheduled Payment Plans must clear the school fees account by the end of each term and thus be cleared by the last day of School in Term 4 of the current school year. Any Agreed Scheduled Payment Plan extensions must be negotiated with the Principal and/or Finance Secretary.
Collections of accounts in arrears of a payment schedule follow the School Fee and Levy Collection Process above.
Late Start Enrolment
New students entering Our Lady of the Way School after the commencement of the term will be charged on a pro-rata basis for the remaining weeks of the term. An updated statement will be emailed.
Extended Leave/Holding an enrolment place
Fees will be payable for the whole term in which extended leave is taken. If fees remain outstanding, an arrangement must be made with the Principal and/or Finance Secretary to settle the account within four weeks of taking leave. Any fees account in credit will be refunded.
Withdrawal of Enrolment
Advice of a student's departure must be made in writing. Please contact the School reception for an exit form.
Students exiting Our Lady of the Way School during the term will be refunded on a pro-rata basis for the remaining weeks of that term.
Student textbooks, library books, laptops, and accessories will be returned to the School.
If any fees remain outstanding, an arrangement must be made with the Principal and/or Finance Secretary to settle the account within four weeks. Any fee accounts in credit will be refunded after the exit date,
For outstanding amounts, where an arrangement is made and defaulted, the account will be referred to the School's registered debt collection agency without advice.
Please contact the school finance office for further clarification regarding the above school fee and levy collection process.