More Parents Paying for Out of School Tuition

A Government education is seen as an economical option but with many parents buying out of school tuition, it isn’t without significant expense.

Melbourne is Australia’s most expensive city for a Government education, it will cost $102,807 over 13 years for a child starting school in 2023. Melbourne parents are forecast to spend three times more on outside tuition ($1,350) than school fees ($368) this year, with electronic devices ($1,013), musical instruments ($781), textbooks ($337) and school camps ($303) also adding to the total cost.

School fees make up just 5% of the total cost of a Government education for a child starting school in Melbourne this year, with 95% spent on ancillary costs.

A Government education in Melbourne is 17% above the national average ($87,528) and considerably more expensive than Canberra ($77,002) and Brisbane ($80,419).

Canberra is Australia’s most expensive city for a Catholic education with the total cost to be $197,667 over 13 years for a child starting school in 2023, 7% above the national average ($184,545) and considerably more expensive than Sydney ($178,478) and Melbourne ($184,366).

Canberra parents will spend more on outside tuition ($2,979) than school fees ($2,781) this year, with electronic devices ($863), musical instruments ($787) and transport ($534) also adding to the total cost of a Catholic education.

School fees will make up 26% of the total cost of a Catholic education for a child starting school in Canberra this year, with 74% spent on ancillary costs.

Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city for an Independent education where it will take $357,931 educate a child over 13-years starting in 2023.

The total cost of an Independent education in Sydney is 19% or $57,698 above the national average ($300,233) and considerably more expensive than Brisbane ($262,531) and Perth ($213,889).

School fees ($8,920) are forecast to be the most expensive component of an Independent education for a child starting school this year in Sydney, well ahead of electronic devices ($2,708) outside tuition ($1,767), musical instruments ($818) and school uniforms ($501).

School fees will make up 52% of the total cost of an Independent education for a child starting school in Sydney in 2023, with 48% spent on ancillary costs.

Non-metro New South Wales is Australia’s most expensive region for a Government education.

The total cost of a Government education in regional and remote New South Wales will be $82,823 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2023, 9% above the national average ($75,795) and considerably more expensive than non-metro Queensland ($68,597) and non-metro Western Australia ($70,774).

Regional and remote New South Wales parents are forecast to almost ten times more on outside tuition ($1,017) than school fees ($104) this year, with musical instruments ($1,880) electronic devices ($1,368), transport ($389) and school camps ($375) also adding to the total cost of a Government education.

The total cost of a Catholic education in regional and remote Western Australia, the nation’s most expensive region for a Catholic education, is forecast to be $165,889 over 13 years for a child starting school in 2023, $2,311 above the national average ($163,578).

It’s estimated outside tuition ($2,475) will be the most expensive component of a Catholic education for a child starting school in non-metro Western Australia this year, ahead of school fees ($1,576), electronic devices ($1,060), musical instruments ($663) and school camps ($585).

Non-metro South Australia is the country’s most expensive region for an Independent education; $238,625 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2023, 14% above the national average ($209,584) and considerably more expensive than regional and remote Queensland ($196,876).

School fees ($2,529) are forecast to be the most expensive component of an Independent education for a child starting school this year in non-metro South Australia, ahead of outside tuition ($1,767), electronic devices ($1,078), transport ($978) and sports equipment ($851).

The findings were published in the Futurity Investment Group Cost of Education Index and Group Executive, Kate Hill said the total cost of education has risen at nearly double the rate of inflation over the past decade.

“School fees, outside tuition, school camps, transport, uniforms, electronic devices and sports equipment are demanding a far greater share of the family budget than in the past,” Ms Hill said.

“With less discretionary money to spend, it’s going to be a challenge for some families to pay for education.

“Parents who have planned and saved for education will be in a better position in the long run and will be able to explore and afford choice when it comes to their children’s education."

Image by Nicola Barts