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Curriculum Australian Curriculum, German Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages German, French, Spanish
Strengths STEM, Languages, Sport
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction
German International School Sydney (GISS) is a private, co‑educational day school in Terrey Hills, Sydney, serving children from Preschool to Year 12 (ages 0–18). It offers three curricula: the Australian Curriculum, the German Curriculum, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Years 11–12. The school is Germany‑affiliated and part of the Deutsche Auslandsschule network. A key feature is its intensive language immersion, enabling bilingual English–German proficiency from the start, with no prior German required. The Terrey Hills campus covers about 16,200 square metres across 10 buildings and has Passivhaus classrooms (2018, 2022). Facilities include specialist science, arts and music spaces, an on‑site IB Study Centre, and a central library, plus air conditioning and BYOD from Year 7. Extracurriculars include Extend after‑school care and a GISS Football Academy with Borussia Dortmund; an Exchange Program with Germany; and German language support with CLIL. The school emphasises development and prepares students for life after school.
German International School Sydney has 430 pupils, instruction in English, German.
Location
33 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills, NSW 2084, Australia. Terrey Hills is a leafy suburb on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The campus is connected by four GISS-operated private bus routes and by government public buses; booking is via RollCall and real-time tracking is available. The school sits within the Deutsche Auslandsschule network of German Schools Abroad.
Stages
Preschool; Primary School; Junior Secondary; Senior School (IBDP).
Type
Private day school; co-educational; bilingual in English and German; offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Years 11–12.
Pupil Nationality Mix
440 students; 38 nationalities; 42 languages; about half from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries, and the other half from Australia.
Additional learning support
GISS has a Learning Diversity Team that supports teachers and students with diverse learning needs; it plans, implements and monitors personalised adjustments and collaborates with parents and external professionals as needed; it aims to build teacher capacity to ensure inclusive learning.
Country affiliation
Germany-affiliated; part of the Deutsche Auslandsschule (German Schools Abroad) network sponsored by ZfA.
Bus service
GISS operates four private bus routes across Sydney; bus bookings use RollCall; pricing is zone-based (Zone 1: pre-booked $9.50, casual $13.00; Zone 2: pre-booked $10.50, casual $15.00). For enquiries, bus@giss.nsw.edu.au.
Fees
Annual tuition at German International School Sydney ranges from AUD 1,655 to AUD 19,762 for 2026/27.
Application and enrolment fees - Application fee (non‑refundable): AUD 250 per application. - Enrolment fee (Kindergarten to IB, non‑refundable): AUD 1,250 per child. - Preschool enrolment fee: AUD 500 per child. - Security deposit (refundable, non‑interest bearing): AUD 1,000 per child. - One‑off capital levy (not applicable to short‑term and overseas students): AUD 1,500 per family.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term) - Kindergarten: Annual tuition AUD 15,362 — Per term (4 terms per year): AUD 3,840.50. - Years 1–4: Annual tuition AUD 17,221 — Per term: AUD 4,305.25. - Years 5–6: Annual tuition AUD 18,396 — Per term: AUD 4,599.00. - Years 7–8: Annual tuition AUD 18,570 — Per term: AUD 4,642.50. - Years 9–10: Annual tuition AUD 18,746 — Per term: AUD 4,686.50. - International Baccalaureate (IB) Year 11: Annual tuition AUD 32,653 — Per term: AUD 8,163.25. - IB Year 12: Annual tuition AUD 31,569 — Per term: AUD 7,892.25.
Preschool daily rates and funding - Preschool daily rates by number of days and age (2026 rates): - 2 days: Age 3–4 years AUD 147 per day; Age 4+ years AUD 142 per day. - 3 days: Age 3–4 years AUD 135 per day; Age 4+ years AUD 130 per day. - 4–5 days: Age 3–4 years AUD 125 per day; Age 4+ years AUD 118 per day. - Start Strong (government) fee relief applies for eligible children; maximum relief levels and eligibility categories apply.
Additional levies and common extra costs - Resource Levy (Kindergarten to Year 6): AUD 400 per student per annum. - Resource Levy (Years 7–12): AUD 350 per student per annum. - Book hire fee (Years 5–10): AUD 250 per student per annum; replacement charges apply for books not returned or returned in unsatisfactory condition. - IB‑specific additional fees: Books for the IB cohort are included in tuition; IB Pamoja fees (subject dependent) are invoiced separately (approx. USD 1,655 where applicable); IB exam retake, enquiry and tutor fees may apply and vary. - Class camps (estimated top cost per student): Years 3 & 4 AUD 620; Years 5 & 6 AUD 890; Year 7 AUD 820; Years 8 & 9 AUD 990; Year 10 AUD 800; Year 11 CAS trip AUD 2,200. - Short‑term & overseas students levy (pro‑rata & per student): AUD 5,000 for short‑term (enrolled less than one year) and overseas students on a student visa. - Bus service fees are charged separately under the school's Bus Fees and Transportation Terms & Conditions.
Billing schedule and payment terms - School year runs on a four‑term calendar; tuition amounts above are annual and the school issues invoices for the school year. Per‑term payment calculations above assume four terms. - Fees are payable by the due date shown on the invoice. The last day for payment of fees in any term is the first day of that term. Failure to pay may trigger administrative late fees or restrictions on attendance and academic reports.
Payment methods, plans and surcharges - Preferred payment method: payment in full by the first day of school via the FACTS portal (online) using the FACTS Payment Plan option ‘PAY IN FULL'. - Instalment options via the FACTS tuition management portal are available: semester, quarterly or monthly plans. Surcharges on the invoiced amount apply by plan: - Pay per semester: additional 2.5% of invoiced amount. - Pay quarterly: additional 3.5% of invoiced amount. - Pay monthly: additional 4.0% of invoiced amount. Monthly plans incur a one‑off annual FACTS fee of AUD 59 and must be set up with direct debit. - Payment methods accepted via the payment plans: direct debit from a bank account, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. A 1.1% transaction fee applies to all credit card transactions. - If the full yearly fees are not received by 1 February 2026 or two weeks after an invoice is issued, the school will automatically place the family on a 4% surcharge unless otherwise requested in writing; unpaid months will be prorated.
Discounts, late fees and non‑payment - Sibling discounts on tuition fees only: first sibling receives a 10% discount; each subsequent sibling receives a 20% discount. - Late payment administration fee: AUD 50 per student per calendar month may apply if payment is not received by the due date. The school may restrict class attendance, withhold academic reports, and pursue collection action for debts more than 90 days overdue.
Withdrawal, extended leave and refund information - Minimum notice to withdraw a student: one full term's written notice to the Principal. The school is entitled to charge full tuition fees during the notice period. Parents are not entitled to a refund of a term's school fees where a student is withdrawn at any time during that term. - Extended leave of absence (approved by the Principal for at least one term) incurs a holding fee of 15% in lieu of tuition fees; the holding fee is non‑refundable and non‑transferable.
Other practical notes on fees - GISS fees and levies typically include one excursion per term, student accident insurance, technology access and copyright fees; consumables and personal stationery (e.g., calculators) and extraordinary project materials may incur additional charges. - Families billed by an employer should use the school's company/third‑party billing procedures.
(End of fees overview.)
Academics
German International School Sydney teaches Australian Curriculum, German Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 0 to 18.
Curriculum
The school provides a complete education in a co-educational and bilingual environment. An intensive language immersion programme leads to bilingual competency in English and German, so students do not need to be familiar with German language beforehand. The curriculum is broad and supports personal development for life after school. In Years 11 and 12 the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Exam Results
November 2025 IB graduates achieved a pass rate of 93.75% and an average score of 31.5 points. They exceeded the global IB average of 29.3 points.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates continue their academic journeys at universities across Australia and around the world.
Gifted and Talented
GISS Learning Diversity Team includes support for gifted and talented students.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Open Day and tours: Register for Open Day to visit the school and meet staff and students. A principal‑led presentation explains the curriculum and learning methods. If the event day or time is not convenient, group tours or virtual tours are available. Attending Open Day helps families understand the school environment before applying.
2. Online information and enrolment checklist: Access important information about the school online and review the checklist with the required forms to prepare the application. The online resources outline the documents needed and any deadlines. Families can request a meeting with the registrar or school management team to discuss individual circumstances if required. After reviewing, proceed to the online application.
3. Submit online application: Submit the application online. An application fee of $250 is invoiced at the end of the online application. Provide copies of passport(s) and birth certificate where applicable, and the last two school reports; upload documents to the online application. Ensure all required documents are ready before submission.
4. Approval process after submission: Following submission, you will receive an email confirming receipt and updates on the approval process. GISS reviews the application after the documents are received. The outcome will be communicated: a place may be offered, a place may be placed on the waiting list, or the application may be declined. Additional documents may be requested if needed.
5. Interview and admission test: Once all required documents are received, you will be invited to book your child's interview and, if applicable, an admission test. All Kindergarten to Year 12 students must participate in an age-appropriate interview. If the child is overseas at the time, the interview can be conducted online in English or German. A trial day may be scheduled before or after the interview.
6. Enrolment offer, contract and start information: As soon as enrolment is approved, you will receive an offer that includes the enrolment form and notice for the enrolment fee due. After the enrolment form is completed and the enrolment fee is paid, you will receive a copy of the enrolment contract and enrolment is complete. Before school starts, you will receive additional information via email and/or a parent information session to set up your child for a smooth start. The school may provide visa information for overseas students if applicable.
Scholarships
IB Scholarship offers up to 50% tuition support for the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB Year 11 and 12). It is available to internal and external local Year 10 students with English fluency. Eligibility includes preferably two years at an Australian school, a record of high academic achievement, strong English and Maths, willingness to study in a bilingual/multilingual international environment, personal integrity, and commitment to service learning. German language knowledge is not a prerequisite. How to apply: Year 10 students currently enrolled at GISS email ibscholarship@giss.nsw.edu.au with last four school reports and Year 9 NAPLAN results, a personal statement, and an explanation of why they deserve the scholarship. Year 10 students from another school should start the GISS online application, upload birth certificates, passports, last four reports, and latest NAPLAN results, then email ibscholarship@giss.nsw.edu.au with the personal statement. Applications close on December 3, 2025.
Waitlist
An assessment is conducted after the application. The school may offer a place, place the applicant on the waiting list, or decline the application.
FAQs
What age range does GISS serve?
GISS serves students from Preschool through to Year 12, ages 0 to 18. The school operates from a single campus in Terrey Hills on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
Do students need to speak German before enrolling?
No, students do not need prior German knowledge. The intensive language immersion programme enables bilingual English-German proficiency from the start, with German offered as a foreign language for non-German speakers.
What curriculum is followed?
GISS offers three curricula: the Australian Curriculum, the German Curriculum, and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 11-12. This combination provides both local and internationally recognised qualifications.
What are the tuition fees?
Tuition ranges from AUD 15,362 per year for Kindergarten to AUD 19,762 for IB students. Additional costs include a AUD 250 application fee, AUD 1,250 enrolment fee, and AUD 1,000 security deposit.
What are the IB results like?
In November 2025, IB graduates achieved a 93.75% pass rate with an average score of 31.5 points, exceeding the global IB average of 29.3.
What languages are taught?
English and German are core languages of instruction. French is available from Year 6 and Spanish from Year 8. German as a foreign language is offered for students whose first language is not German.
Is there a school bus service?
Yes, GISS operates four private bus routes across Sydney. Booking is via RollCall with real-time tracking. Zone-based pricing ranges from AUD 9.50 to AUD 15.00 per trip.
Does the school have a uniform?
No, there is no school uniform requirement. A dress code and Sunsmart guidelines apply, including hats for outdoor wear and safety-related clothing rules for practical lessons.
What co-curricular activities are offered?
Activities include the GISS Football Academy in partnership with Borussia Dortmund, science experiments, STEAM coding and robotics, technology projects, and various after-school clubs.
How diverse is the student body?
The school has 430 students from 38 nationalities speaking 42 languages. About half come from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries, and the other half are Australian.
How do I apply?
Attend an Open Day or group tour, then submit an application with the AUD 250 fee. An assessment determines whether a place is offered, the student joins the waitlist, or the application is declined.
Are scholarships available?
Yes, an IB Scholarship offers up to 50% tuition support for the two-year IB Diploma Programme. It is available to internal and external local Year 10 students.
What is the house system?
GISS has houses named after notable German figures: Grimm, Elisabeth Selbert, Paul Klee, Gutenberg, Albert Einstein, Ludwig Leichhardt, Clara Schumann, and Sophie Scholl.
What is the school's history?
GISS began in 1989 as the German School Johannes Gutenberg in Prospect. It moved to Ryde in 1992, adopted the GISS name in 2002, and relocated to its purpose-built Terrey Hills campus in 2008.
