Information for parents and guardians

Helping your child choose the right course is a crucial step in their academic and professional journey. There are several steps you can take to guide them; Identify interests and strengths or consider an aptitude test; research career opportunities; attend Open Days; evaluate course content; talk to university representatives and professionals; and financial considerations.

Choosing between TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and university depends on your child’s interests, career goals and learning preferences. Typically, TAFE courses are focused on practical skills that are directly applicable to specific trades and professions. University courses on the other hand are more academically oriented to provide a deeper theoretical understanding of a profession that opens doors to broader career options that require a higher level of education. To work out what’s best for your child, consider their career goals, learning style and long-term goals. Encourage your child to talk to their school career advisors, attend open days and explore both options to ultimately make the best choice that alights with their interests, strengths and career aspirations.

Applications to study at Bond University are open online all year round. There is no application or assessment fee to apply to study at Bond, so your child can apply with no commitment and no obligation to accept their offer if they receive one. Learn more about how to apply.

Depending on your child’s circumstances, your child may be required to submit specific supporting documents with their application which may include academic transcripts, high school report cards, resume, certificates of completion, and more – you can find the full list of supporting document examples here. 

Start by doing some research to see the available scholarships your child is best suited to and read the eligibility criteria to determine which scholarships your child is eligible for. Make note of the scholarships that may be applicable, keeping in mind your child will have the opportunity to apply for more than one scholarship. See our remaining scholarship application tips. 

At Bond, your child can get a head start on their career by completing their degree up to a year ahead of their peers at standard universities. We run on a three-semester-per-year timetable, which means students can finish a 24-subject bachelor’s degree in two years, a master’s degree in one to two years, a double degree in less than four years, or a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in just three years. The benefits include entering the workforce and start earning an income sooner, get a head start on promotions, accelerate their career progression. Learn more about our accelerated degrees.

While Bond’s degrees are accelerated, your child’s workload per semester is no different to the workload at other universities. A full-time study load is equivalent to around 40 credit points – typically four subjects per semester. We fast track our degrees by offering more semesters per year, not through a heavier study load. 

Studying away from home can offer your child a range of benefits that contribute to their personal, academic, and professional growth. From independence and confidence to being more integrated in on-campus student life where they will forge a network of life-long friendships and professional contacts, your child will be better prepared for future challenges by learning life skills and to adapt to new environments and situations. Overall, studying away from home can be a transformative experience that equips your child with the skills and experience needed to success in both their personal and professional lives.

Before the big move, if you’re able to visit campus and book a campus tour or chat with a student, this will make both you and your child feel familiar with their new home. Ensure suitable accommodation on or off campus is arranged before they leave home, and in addition to helping them plan their academic supplies and packing the essentials, be sure to talk to them about budgeting and financial management, and their health and wellbeing.

During the transition, encourage them to attend their orientation week programs and to join clubs and societies – it's a great way to meet new people and to settle into campus life. Be sure to stay connected with your child, check-in regularly with them but also give them the space to stay independent.

Once your child is on campus, Bond offers a range of different support services including our Academic Skills Centre for study support, Career Development Centre, Medical Centre and other support services that you can encourage your child to tap in to. 
 

Bond University offers a variety of services to support your child during their first year of study. Bond's Student Success Advisors are their first point of contact for support and guidance. Our team are to here to connect with and support your child from their initial transition into university through to the end of their studies as needed. Each Student Success Advisor works in partnership with a faculty and understands the programs your child is studying. 

Our Academic Skills Centre is here to help develop academic skills and help your child reach their academic potential. It’s a free, personal service for Bond students, where we work one-on-one to enhance your child’s individual academic ability. The Academic Skills Centre team offers personalised help, with one-on-one sessions, small group workshops, and online resources to improve academic skills. 

For those students who live on campus, they are supported by their building’s Senior Resident Fellow. Additionally, Bond students who are under 18 years have a dedicated support staff appointed as their key point of contact.

There are a range of on-campus and off-campus accommodation options to suit your child’s lifestyle and circumstances.  

Bond offers secure on-campus accommodation with private to shared rooms, all of which include a dining plan, air conditioning, WiFi, laundry facilities and housekeeping services. Living on campus is a great way to cultivate a new network of friends and is very convenient – especially for those who are moving away from home for the first time. Please note spaces are limited and in high demand. For upcoming on-campus accommodation application dates, visit Bond’s Student Housing Portal. See our accommodation fees. 

Bond is situated in the centre of a thriving neighborhood which means there are a range of off-campus accommodation options from studio rooms to apartments, homestay, and shared accommodation, which gives your child the flexibility to choose an option that best suits them. Costs vary depending on location and accommodation type. If you wish to seek advice on off-campus accommodation options, please contact our Accommodation Services Offers via email [email protected].  

The Gold Coast is a safe and welcoming community and is home to students from all around Australia and the world. Here at Bond, we aim to create a safe and secure environment for every student, so that students can enjoy their university experience to the fullest. In addition to 24/7 on-site security, the University has taken a number of measures to support and protect all our students and staff, as well as the wider community surrounding Bond.  Learn more about safety and security.

Beyond your child’s tuition fees, there are additional costs to consider from living costs to tuition resources and materials, clubs and activities, some programs have specific costs associated with undertaking the program, and a student services and amenities fee.

The Bond University Student Services and Amenities Fee aims to provide a balanced, practical approach to funding campus services and amenities of a non-academic nature, such as sporting and recreational activities, student advocacy, employment and career advice, student support services, orientation activities and food services. 

Learn more about additional costs to consider. Unlike most other universities, parking on campus at Bond University is free! 

As private institution, we do not have access to Commonwealth Supported Places. We are a not-for-profit university which means that any excess funds we have are re-invested back into the University for facilities for our students. Commonwealth assistance is offered through the FEE-HELP program. 

Like HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP is an interest-free loan provided by the Australian Government that helps eligible students pay their tuition fees. 

The accumulated tuition HELP debt is indexed according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). FEE-HELP applies to undergraduate study and postgraduate coursework and research study.

Fees for programs at Bond don’t need to be paid upfront, or in full, before your child begins their degree. Fees are paid on a semester-by-semester basis, where students will only pay for the individual subjects they have enrolled in that semester. And if utilising an Australian government loan scheme, like FEE-HELP, students may not need to pay any fees upfront. Learn more about fees and finance options.

We love welcoming new members to the Bond family – including returning alumni, or Bondies whose family members study at Bond. Our loyalty discount enables eligible students to receive a 10 per cent discount on their program, up to the total value of $20,000 AUD per eligible program. Learn more about our loyalty discount, eligibility and how to apply. 

Bond’s offers three semester intakes per year commencing in January, May and September which are 13 weeks (about three months). Semester breaks between our January and May semesters and May and September semesters are usually three weeks long while the December-January break is between four to five weeks long – however this is subject to change depending on the year. View key dates.

Students who completed their diploma while at high school are not able to receive credit (also known as advanced standing) towards their degree. If they completed their diploma after graduating from high school then they may be eligible for credit towards their program at Bond University. 

Learn more about eligibility, when to apply, what documents to include in your application and on applying for credit.

Throughout their studies, your child will have the opportunity to gain real-life experience in their chosen area – or areas – of interest through internships, clinical rotations, capstone projects and work placements coordinated by the Career Development Centre, Faculty advisers and lecturers.

In classes, your child will benefit from your academics’ industry contacts and partnerships to open doors to work experience and internship opportunities, and work on projects directly tied to industry. They’ll also have plenty of opportunities to meet with future employers through introductions at on-campus events, guest lectures, industry conferences and inter-university competitions. Learn how our Career Development Centre empowers career-ready graduates.