How much does it cost to send a child to school in Australia?

The total estimated cost of putting a child through 13 years of school rose 6% this year, according to Futurity Investment Group’s Cost of Education Index. 

This includes school fees and various ancillary expenses, such as outside tuition, uniforms, camps, transport, sports equipment, and electronic devices. 

The index found the national average cost of a government education for a single child will set parents back $92,710, higher than the previous year’s estimate of $87,528. 

Meanwhile, sending a child to a Catholic school is projected to cost a family $195,074, a figure that is also higher than the 2023 estimate of $184,545. 

An independent education was revealed to also cost more this year, averaging $316,944 nationally, up from $300,233 in 2023. 

Futurity Investment Group CEO Sam Sondhi warns of further household budgetary pressures amid rising education costs.

“Households are already stretched by the spiralling cost of living and interest rate pressures,” Mr Sondhi said. 

“With less discretionary money to spend, it’s going to be a challenge for many families to pay for the total cost of education.”

Futurity's survey of 1,525 parents found that while location (35%) is the most important consideration for parents choosing schools for their children, cost (25%) is also one of their major concerns. 

Although the majority or 85% of parents believe education is extremely important for their children, the same percentage also admitted that paying for their child’s education will put a significant dent in their household finances. 

Based on the data gathered by research firm McCrindle for Futurity, the financial strain brought by the costs associated with education is seen to worsen in the coming years.

Mr Sondhi anticipates school fees and ancillary expenses will increase upwards of 14% in the next five years, and by almost 30% in the next decade.

Here’s the breakdown by state: 

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra is the most affordable capital in Australia for a government education, with the index estimating a total of $81,564, which is 12% below the national average. 

The index calculated school fees would make up 4% of the total cost of sending a child to a state school this year, while 96% would go to ancillary costs.

However, the capital is the most expensive for a Catholic education at $208,871, 7% above the national average.

Parents putting a child through an independent school in Canberra are estimated to spend $290,910. 

New South Wales

The index found Sydney the most expensive city for an independent education, with an average expected cost of $377,993.

School fees will make up the most expensive component of an independent education in the city, at 52% versus 48% spent on ancillary costs.

When it comes to Catholic education, Sydney is the least expensive capital city, with a lower-than-national average cost of $188,759. 

In regional New South Wales, families sending their children to Catholic schools are projected to spend $167,595. 

Western Australia

According to the index, Perth is the most affordable city for an independent education at $225,728, which is 29% below the national average.

School fees will make up 54% of the total cost of an independent education for a child starting school in Perth this year. 

In regional Western Australia, the total estimated cost for putting a child through independent school is $209,847, the second most affordable among six states. 

Queensland

Brisbane is one of the most affordable cities for both state and independent education, with estimated total costs of $85,177 (8% lower than the national average) and $277,015 (13% below average), respectively.

Meanwhile, the cost of sending a child to a Catholic school in Brisbane will set parents back $204,197, a figure higher than the national average. 

Regional and remote Queensland is the most affordable for a non-metro independent education, with a 6%-below-national-average cost of $208,164. 

The index also revealed Queensland has the second lowest cost for a government education, with a projected total of $72,670.

Victoria

The total costs for a state and an independent education in Melbourne are forecast to be higher than the national average, at $108,879 and $324,559, respectively. 

School fees make up 5% of the total cost of a government education in Melbourne, while 95% goes to ancillary expenses. 

Falling below the national average, the Victoria capital is one of the most affordable cities for a Catholic education, estimated to set parents back $194,826 for a single child.

South Australia

The cost for a government education in Adelaide falls 5% below the national average, at an estimated $88,186. 

School fees will only make up 11% of the total cost of a state education in the city. 

The index also revealed Adelaide is one of the most affordable cities for an independent education, with a projected cost of $288,586.

Parents will pay more on ancillary costs (52%) than school fees (42%) for an independent education in the South Australian capital.

Tasmania

The index found Catholic schools in non-metro Tasmania are the most affordable, with a forecasted total of $161,042 over 13 years. 

The index calculated school fees would make up 19% of the total cost of a Catholic education for a child starting school in 2024, with 81% spent on ancillary costs.

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Bernadette Lunas

Finance Journalist

Bernadette is a journalist with years of experience covering topics in macroeconomics, real estate, and lifestyle beats for notable print media organisations. She joined the InfoChoice Group in 2024, bringing her passion for writing stories that help Australians make better decisions about money.

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