The Western Australian state government has made further amendments to its decision to charge a $4,000 public school fee for families on 457 visas, after community backlash resulted in multiple delays. Under the new provisions to the school fees, families on 457 visas who are earning $75,000 or less per year will not have to pay the $4,000 per annum fee for their children who are enrolled in a public school, according a report in the ABC.

The report states that the exemptions were revealed as the State Government announced its long-awaited hardship provisions for the more than 3,300 families affected by the new charges from next year. Under the hardship arrangements, families earning less than $75,000 a year will not have to pay.

More than 2,600 families are expected to pay the new fee, delivering about $10 million into the Government's coffers.Education Minister Peter Collier said, "There are around 3,305 families at this stage that will be captured by the school fees. Of that, around 750 will be exempt."

Families can also seek relief from the fees due to exceptional circumstances, such as illness or unemployment. They will be required to approach the Department of Training and Workforce Development to seek an exemption.

According to a parliamentary guide, states and territories may charge fees for the children of workers on subclass 457 visas to attend public schools. New South Wales (NSW) charges $4,500 for kindergarten, $4,500 for junior high schooling and $5,500 for senior high schooling of subclass 457 visa holders. The Australian Capital Territory charges $9,320, $12,500 and $13,900 respectively, although subclass 457 visa holders can apply for an education fee waiver if they are involved in a job that appears on the Skilled Occupation Lists. In 2013, Western Australia announced a $4,000 per year public school tuition fee for children of subclass 457 visa holders but reports suggest this has been revised down to $2,000 for each additional child from the same family, with implementation postponed until 2015. Subclass 457 visa holders in other states and the Northern Territory are exempt from international student fees, but may contribute minor administrative fees as do domestic students.