Temporary Enrolment at DSM

The process for Temporary Enrolment

Application Process

DSM welcomes applications from families temporarily residing in Melbourne seeking short-term enrolment for one term (10 weeks) up to three terms. If you are interested in enrolling your children at DSM, please contact the school and provide the following information: names and birthdates of the children, their current grade levels, and their most recent school reports. Additionally, kindly let us know your expected dates for staying in Melbourne.

To complete the enrolment, we will require the application form, a copy of the passport, a copy of the birth certificate, and the Australian visa. We also invite you to a video call with our Principal, Mr. Jörg Dopfer, to get to know your family, discuss expectations, and address any questions you may have.

Our fee schedule is available for your reference. An additional charge of $1,500 per child per term may apply. Consolidated charges will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. We would be happy to provide an estimated cost and assist you with any further questions. For more details or long-term international enrolments, please contact our Admissions Manager at enrolments@dsm.org.au. 


Placement at DSM

Our school follows both the German (Thuringian) and the Victorian/Australian curriculum, which leads to some differences:

The Australian school year runs from January to December, creating a six-month offset for children coming from outside the Australian education system. As a result, we typically place these children six months behind to help them adjust to the new school system and language without feeling overwhelmed. In some rare cases, a child may be placed in a higher grade. This decision is always made by our school principal, who carefully reviews the most recent school reports and consults with teachers in Germany before making a final determination.

Another difference is that schooling in Victoria begins at the age of 5 with the Foundation Year, which roughly corresponds to the first half of German primary school. By the time children enter Year 1 at DSM, they are typically able to read and write at a basic level (in both German and English) and can perform simple arithmetic operations. Children of school age in Australia who have not attended school in Germany will undergo an individual assessment to determine the most suitable year level, always considering the child's needs and interests.

We look forward to arranging a non-binding video call with you to discuss the possible schooling of your children.