Australian International School Hong Kong vs King George V School
Australian International School Hong Kong and King George V School are both in Hong Kong, about 2 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Australian International School Hong Kong also offers Australian, and King George V School also offers IBCP, BTEC Qualification and Cambridge IGCSE. Published annual fees are HK$148,800 - 252,800 at Australian International School Hong Kong and HK$159,400 - 181,100 at King George V School, which puts Australian International School Hong Kong roughly 18% higher. Australian International School Hong Kong takes pupils from 4 to 18, and King George V School from 11 to 18. King George V School is the larger school, with around 1,900 pupils to Australian International School Hong Kong's 1,200. Typical class sizes are 24 at Australian International School Hong Kong and 16 at King George V School.
Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) is situated in the residential district of Kowloon Tong. The campus is a short walk from Kowloon Tong MTR Station (Exit E) and is close to a major transport interchange with buses and taxis. The setting provides both accessibility and a quieter neighbourhood environment, making it convenient for families from across Hong Kong.
Location
KGV is situated in the Homantin area of Kowloon, a well-connected neighbourhood in Hong Kong. The school is easily accessible by public transport, with nearby MTR stations and several bus and minibus routes. The website provides clear information on directions and travel options for families.
Stages
Stages
The school is divided into Early Years (Reception and Preparatory), Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–10), and Senior Secondary (Years 11–12). In the final two years, students choose either the NSW Higher School Certificate or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Stages
KGV serves secondary school students from Year 7 to Year 13, typically ages 11 to 18. The school’s structure covers lower secondary (Years 7–9), middle years (Years 10–11), and senior years (Years 12–13).
School type
School type
AISHK is a co-educational, day school with around 1,200 students. The school does not offer boarding facilities.
School type
KGV is a co-educational day school. The school does not operate boarding facilities, and all students attend on a day-school basis.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Support is provided through the Learning Enrichment Centre (LEC), which assists students across Primary and Secondary who can access mainstream classes with minimal support. The school also offers in-class English language support for students who have sufficient English to follow the curriculum.
Additional learning support
Support for additional learning needs is provided through a Response to Intervention (RTI) framework and a pastoral care system that includes counsellors, social workers, and Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs). This structure aims to help students with a range of learning and well-being needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows the Australian curriculum up to Year 10 and offers the NSW HSC alongside the IB Diploma in Senior Secondary. It also runs on the Australian academic year (January to December).
Country affiliation
KGV is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), an English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
AISHK is non-denominational and has no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school has no stated religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day begins at 8:15am. For Primary, Reception ends at 2:45pm and Years 3–6 at 2:50pm. Secondary students finish at 3:30pm Monday–Thursday and 3:00pm on Friday, following extra-curricular activities.
School day structure
The school day typically runs from 8:15 am to 3:20 pm, Monday through Friday. On Mondays, bus pick-up times differ slightly, and the Learning Resource Centre and canteen remain open for students after classes.
Bus service details
Bus service details
AISHK provides a comprehensive bus service covering a wide range of routes across Hong Kong. Many students use the service daily, though families also make use of the convenient Kowloon Tong MTR and nearby transport hubs. The school notes that its community comes from diverse districts, not just Kowloon side.
Bus service details
A bus service is available for students, organised through external transport providers. Parents register directly with the contracted bus companies, and the school website provides details of available routes and operators.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees A one-time Application Fee of HKD 1,500 is required for all new applications and is non-refundable. If an assessment is required, an additional Assessment Fee of HKD 500 per student applies. Families wishing to remain on the waitlist for another year must pay an Application Renewal Fee of HKD 500.
Reservation & Capital Levy A Reservation Deposit of HKD 25,000 is payable upon acceptance of an offer. This is credited to tuition on commencement and is refundable only if cancellation is made within seven days of payment. An annual Capital Levy of HKD 21,840 per student is billed at the start of each academic year.
Tuition Fees (Per Year) Reception: HKD 148,800 Preparatory – Year 6: HKD 173,800 Years 7 – 10: HKD 200,500 Years 11 – 12 (HSC): HKD 210,400 Years 11 – 12 (IBDP): HKD 252,800
Fees may also be paid by term: three equal instalments (e.g., HKD 37,200 per term in Reception) or by 10 monthly Autopay instalments (February–November).
Additional Fees The school notes costs such as uniforms and optional activities are charged separately. No information on textbook or examination fees is publicly provided.
Transportation Fees AISHK operates a school bus service with multiple routes across Hong Kong. Fees are invoiced directly by the provider, and arrangements vary by route.
Sibling Discount A 10% discount is applied to the third child and any subsequent siblings, calculated from the youngest child upwards.
Refund Policy One full term’s written notice (three months) is required for withdrawals. Without sufficient notice, one term’s fees are charged. For mid-year withdrawals, the full year’s capital levy remains payable.
Payment Options Credit card: accepted only for the Application Fee. Bank transfer / Autopay: required for tuition, capital levy, and other school fees.
Fee details
Application Fees A non-refundable application fee of HKD 2,800 is required for all new applicants. Once an offer is made, a refundable deposit equivalent to two months of tuition must be paid to secure the place. Half of this deposit is credited toward the first month’s tuition, and the remaining half is credited toward the final month if appropriate notice of withdrawal is given.
Tuition Fees (Per Year) Years 7 – 10: HKD 181,100 Year 11: HKD 159,400 Years 12 – 13: HKD 167,600
Fees are billed in 10 equal monthly instalments and paid by direct debit. Fees are payable for any month in which a student attends classes for at least one day.
Additional Fees Uniforms, stationery, and examination fees (for GCSE, IGCSE, IB, and BTEC) are billed separately. Parents may also be charged for school trips, activities, or optional services. There are no boarding or meal plan fees, as the school operates on a day-school basis.
Refund Policy The application fee is non-refundable. The refundable portion of the deposit is returned once all outstanding payments are cleared and proper notice is given. Monthly tuition fees are not refunded for partial attendance or school closures.
Payment Options All fees are payable through bank direct debit, as required by the English Schools Foundation. Other payment methods, such as cash or card, are not accepted.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) follows the Australian curriculum from Reception through Year 10. Teaching is organised into subject areas based on the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) Key Learning Areas, covering English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Technology, Creative Arts, and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education. From Year 7 onwards, students also access a range of electives that prepare them for senior study. In Years 11 and 12, students may choose between two pathways: the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Mandarin is taught daily in Primary, with Chinese and French offered as language pathways in Secondary, leading to HSC or IB qualifications. The school year follows the Australian academic calendar, beginning in late January and ending in mid-December.
Curriculum details
The school follows the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7–9, offering a broad range of subjects including languages, sciences, humanities, design, and the arts. In Years 10–11, students work toward Cambridge IGCSE or GCSE qualifications, with the option to pursue BTEC Level 2 vocational courses. In the senior years (Years 12–13), students can choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP), or BTEC Level 3 qualifications. Instruction throughout the school is in English, with additional language options that include French, German, Spanish, and Chinese. The curriculum is designed to provide a balanced academic and vocational pathway across all secondary levels.
1. Application submission Families begin by completing the online application form on the AISHK website. Supporting documents include a copy of the child’s birth certificate, passport, visa documentation, school reports for the previous two years, and any specialist reports if relevant. Applications are accepted up to two years before entry. An Application Fee must be paid at this stage.
2. Application review The Admissions Office reviews submitted documents and may request additional information. Decisions at this stage are based on available places, school reports, and, if applicable, results of assessments. For Reception and Preparatory classes, the school also considers gender balance when allocating places. Priority is given to siblings, followed by Australian and New Zealand passport holders.
3. Assessment and interview Depending on year level and background, applicants may be required to sit an assessment or interview. Reception and Preparatory candidates participate in a play-based group assessment, while applicants from Years 1–11 complete written assessments aligned with the Australian curriculum. Students from non-English-speaking backgrounds may need to provide AEAS test results to demonstrate their English readiness.
4. Offer of place Successful applicants receive a formal Letter of Offer by email. To secure the place, families must pay the Reservation Deposit within the specified timeframe. The Reservation Deposit is credited to tuition upon commencement, subject to the school’s refund policy.
5. Confirmation and enrolment The Head of Primary or Head of Secondary formally approves the admission. At this stage, families are provided with joining information, orientation details, and school policies. Students then prepare to start in line with the Australian academic year (January–December).
Admissions
1. Application Submission Parents apply online through the English Schools Foundation (ESF) admissions portal during the published application period. A non-refundable application fee must be paid at the time of submission, and each applicant receives an application number for tracking.
2. Assessment and Interview Applicants may be invited to complete an age-appropriate assessment and, in some cases, a short interview. This helps the school determine readiness for an English-medium learning environment and ensure appropriate placement within the ESF system.
3. Offer of Place Successful applicants receive an official offer by email. To secure the place, parents must pay a refundable deposit equivalent to two months’ tuition within the stated deadline and submit the required enrolment documents.
4. Registration and Confirmation Once payment and paperwork are complete, the child’s enrolment is confirmed. Families receive information about orientation, uniforms, and school bus registration before the start of the term.
5. Transition and Induction Before classes begin, the school organises induction sessions to help new students settle into the academic and social environment. Orientation materials and support details are shared through the parent portal.
Scholarships
Scholarships
AISHK offers Academic Scholarships for senior students. These are competitive and based on demonstrated academic excellence, with details provided directly by the Admissions Office. Families interested in scholarships are encouraged to contact the school for eligibility requirements and application timelines. The website confirms availability but does not publish specific award amounts or duration.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
AISHK operates a date-based waitlist when year groups are full. Priority on the list is given to siblings of current students, followed by Australian and New Zealand passport holders, and then students of other nationalities. For Reception and Preparatory, the school also considers gender balance to ensure even class composition. Applications may be renewed annually with an Application Renewal Fee (HKD 500).
Waitlist
KGV operates a waitlist for applications received after the central enrolment window or when year groups reach capacity. Students are placed on the waitlist according to ESF priority categories (such as current ESF siblings or corporate debenture holders) and the date of application. Offers are made as spaces become available, following the same priority guidelines.
