Schools/Australia/Sydney/International Chinese School
Australia — New South Wales

International Chinese School

211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065
"Connect, Strive, Flourish! <!-- or"
AustralianScholarshipsRolling Admissions
Data verified from public sources
Annual Fees$ 7,643 – $ 8,707
Ages5 – 12
Ratio9:1student to faculty

International Chinese School is a Australian school in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 2015. It serves 116 students for students aged 5–12. Annual tuition ranges from $7,643 to $8,707 USD.

Explore This School

Location & Getting There

211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065Open in Maps

NanaSays Scorecard

Est. 2015
Year Founded
116
Students Enrolled
9:1
Student–Teacher Ratio
13
Teachers
Boarding Available
Scholarships Available
EAL Support
SEN Support
Visa Support
Rolling Admissions

Key Details

Curricula Offered
AustralianYes
Support Services
EAL SupportYes
SEN SupportYes
WellbeingYes
Visa SupportYes
Bus ServiceNo
Accreditations
CIS NSW
Languages of Instruction
EnglishMandarin

Scholarships Available

Merit-based Scholarships

No scholarships offered at enrolment. Bursaries may be offered occasionally to current enrolled families experiencing temporary financial hardship (e.g. death of a spouse, unforeseen loss of employment).

Key facts

Founded
2015
Ages
5–12 (Co-ed)
Pupils on roll
116

About

The Higher School Certificate (HSC) is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete senior high school level studies (Years 10, 11 and 12 or equivalent) in New South Wales and some ACT schools in Australia, as well as some international schools in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Papua New Guinea. It was first introduced in 1967,{{cite news | title = Changing places | access-date = 2008-11-17

School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.

Why Families Choose

ICS is the first and only NSW school approved by the NSW Education Standards Authority to deliver half the curriculum in Mandarin. Using a CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) approach, approximately 50% of teaching is in Mandarin and 50% in English. Children do not need prior Mandarin knowledge. The school has around 33 students, creating a highly intimate learning environment with personalised attention. It was among the top-performing schools on Sydney's Lower North Shore in NAPLAN testing.

Fees & Financials

Grade / YearAnnual Fee
Year 3-Year 4AUD 8,077~$ 5,245
Year 5-Year 6AUD 8,707~$ 5,654
Kindergarten-Year 2AUD 7,643~$ 4,963

Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.

Original currency: A$12,132 - 13,820. Application fee: $126.

Admissions Process

  1. 1Submit Expression of Interest Form and attend a school tour. 2) Complete Enrolment Application Form and pay non-refundable AUD 200 application fee; application placed on waitlist. 3) If a position becomes available, attend a Family Enrolment Interview with the Principal. 4) Successful applicants receive a Letter of Offer; sign Letter of Acceptance and ICS Conditions of Enrolment and pay AUD 1,000 non-refundable Enrolment Fee within the stated timeframe. 5) Receive confirmation of enrolment email from the Registrar.

Admissions Details

Application Deadline
Rolling
Admission Deposit
$630
due on acceptance
Waitlist Policy

After submitting the Enrolment Application Form and paying the non-refundable AUD 200 application fee, applications are reviewed and placed on a waitlist. Not all applicants on the waitlist proceed to an interview; families are contacted only when a position becomes available.

School Day

Before school care available from 7:00am; after school care until 6:00pm during term time.

Student Life

House System

The school has three sporting Houses, introduced in 2022 alongside a lunchtime band and dance group and the inaugural ICS chess championship.

Uniform

Uniform required; items purchased from Cowan and Lewis School Wear, available to order online and collect from school.

Clubs & Activities
Arts and CreativeCultural and LanguageSocial and Hobbies

Facilities & Programmes

Sports
Synthetic Grass Playing Field (Gore Hill Oval, adjacent)
Swimming Programme (external)
Gymnastics Programme (external)
Arts
Music
Co-Curricular
Chess
Hello Mandarin
Music (specialist lessons)
Private music lessons
Weekly sport (external provider)
Swimming
Gymnastics
Lunchtime band

Wellbeing & Safety

Pastoral & Mental Health

Student welfare is governed by a Welfare Policy read within the National Safe Schools Framework, reinforcing core values to provide a safe and supportive learning environment. Corporal punishment is not permitted.

Safeguarding & Child Protection

The school has a Welfare Policy (incorporating behaviour management and discipline), a Child Protection Policy, a Dealing with Bullying Policy, and a Grievance Policy, all operating within the National Safe Schools Framework and applicable child protection legislation.

Student Demographics

School Type
Co-educational
Age Range
512
Kindergarten
Primary School

School Background

Governance & Ownership

Independent Anglican Christian school, part of Combined Independent Schools (CIS NSW) network.

Religious Affiliation

Anglican

Sports Programme

Facilities
Synthetic Grass Playing Field (Gore Hill Oval, adjacent)Swimming Programme (external)Gymnastics Programme (external)

Frequently Asked Questions

Fees at International Chinese School vary by year group. Contact the admissions office for a full fee schedule.