Western Chinese Language School Closure Leaves Families with Losses and Questions

The sudden closure of the Western Chinese Language School in Melbourne has left over 300 students, including those studying for their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) in Chinese, without a school. Parents like Sarah, who has chosen to use a pseudonym to protect her child’s identity, are not only seeking new educational arrangements but are also facing significant financial losses, with some families out of pocket by hundreds of dollars in prepaid tuition fees.

The school, which had been operating for more than 17 years, was placed into voluntary administration on June 9, citing financial difficulties, including ongoing liabilities and a historical underpayment liability exceeding $400,000. Teachers, too, are affected, with some owed wages for May and concerns over long-term underpayment issues.

The closure has raised governance concerns, echoing past issues with transparency and compliance in similar community language schools. Teachers from another affected school, Xin Jin Shan Chinese Language and Culture School, have previously highlighted underpayment allegations and governance transparency issues, with little resolved despite years of complaints.

The Victorian Education Department, which had provided the Western Chinese Language School with $82,593 in 2025, has ceased its funding agreement. While alternative provisions have been made for VCE students, the sudden closure has left a trail of disruption, with parents questioning the lack of oversight and warning signs that might have been missed.

As investigations continue, the incident underscores broader challenges in regulating community language schools and protecting the interests of students, parents, and staff.