Vic Parents to Pay Most for Schooling in 2025

Aussie parents can expect to pay an average of $15,000 in school-related expenses this year.

Victoria tops the list of the highest school expenses in the coming year at $18,700, followed by New South Wales, with parents expecting to fork over $16,000. Next on the list was South Australia with an estimated spend of almost $13,500.

Western Australians will pay out $13,200 in 2025 and Queenslanders $12,600.

The survey from iSelect revealed the proportion of respondents who are paying for private education is only 31%. While 3% have children in public and private school, the majority 66% send their children to public school.

But Sydney remains the most expensive state to educate a kid over the life of their education. The total cost of a Government education in the New South Wales capital is 22% above the national average ($123,294) and $28,217 more expensive than Perth ($122,106), Australia’s second most expensive city for a Government education.

The Cost of Education Index from Futurity investment group found School fees / voluntary contributions ($386) will make up just 5% of the total cost of a Government education for a child starting school in Sydney this year, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs including electronic devices ($1,134) outside tuition and coaching ($1,040), school uniforms ($506) and sports equipment ($476).

Canberra is Australia’s most expensive city for a Catholic education a $215,633 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a 3% increase compared to last year.

The total cost of a Catholic education in Australia’s capital is 11% above the national average ($193,666) and considerably more expensive than Melbourne ($198,291) and Sydney ($197,349).

School fees ($3,334) will make up 46% of the total cost of a Catholic education for a child starting school in Canberra this year, with the remainder spent on ancillary expenses including outside tuition and coaching ($1,234), electronic devices ($833), school excursions ($607) and school uniforms ($325).

Sydney is also Australia’s most expensive city for an Independent education.

It is estimated the total cost of an Independent education in the Harbour City will be $411,108 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a jump of 9% compared to last year.

The total cost of an Independent education in the New South Wales capital is 17% above the national average ($350,158) and well ahead of Melbourne ($388,618) and Brisbane ($369,646).

The Index calculated school fees ($9,838) will make up 55% of the total cost of an Independent education for a child starting school in Sydney in 2025, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs, including outside tuition and coaching ($2,512), musical instruments ($1,467), electronic devices ($1,099) and school excursions ($875).