Australia’s most affordable and expensive cities and states for a Government, Catholic and Independent education have been revealed in new research into the cost of education.
The research has revealed Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city for a Government education.
The Futurity Investment Group Cost of Education Index estimates the total cost of a Government education in Sydney will be $150,323 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a 59 per cent increase compared to last year.
The total cost of a Government education in the New South Wales capital is 22 per cent 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.
School fees and voluntary contributions ($386) will make up just 5 per cent 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).
The research also discovered Canberra is Australia’s most expensive city for a Catholic education.
It is forecast the total cost of a Catholic education in Canberra will be $215,633 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a 3 per cent increase compared to last year.
The total cost of a Catholic education in Australia’s capital is 11 per cent 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 per cent 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).
The Cost of Education Index found 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 per cent compared to last year.
The total cost of an Independent education in the New South Wales capital is 17 per cent 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 per cent 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).
The Futurity Investment Group Cost of Education Index also calculated the total cost of education in regional and remote areas for a child starting school this year and found Queensland is Australia’s most expensive state for a non-metro Government education.
It is forecast the total cost of a Government education in regional and remote Queensland will be $90,267 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a 24 per cent increase compared to last year.
The total cost of a Government education in non-metro Queensland is 11 per cent above the national average ($81,141).
School fees and voluntary contributions will make up just 6 per cent of the total cost of a Government education in regional and remote Queensland, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs.
Non-metro Queensland parents are forecast to spend almost 10 times more on electronic devices ($1,553) than school fees / voluntary contributions ($160) this year, with vocational education ($624), transport ($407) and sports equipment ($217) all adding to the total cost.
The Index also discovered Queensland is Australia’s most expensive state for a non-metro Catholic education.
It is estimated the total cost of a Catholic education in regional and remote Queensland will be $157,805 over 13-years for a child starting school this year, a 4 per cent decrease compared to 2024.
The total cost of a Catholic education in non-metro Queensland is 3 per cent above the national average ($153,144), with school fees ($2,371) making up 39 per cent of the total cost, with the majority spent on ancillary expenses including outside tuition and coaching ($1,234), electronic devices ($701) and electives ($618).
The research also found Western Australia is the nation’s most expensive state for a non-metro Independent education.
It is forecast the total cost of an Independent education in regional and remote Western Australia will be $277,862 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a 32 per cent increase compared to last year.
The total cost of an Independent education in non-metro Western Australia is 14 per cent above the national average ($244,075).
School fees ($4,176) will make up 45 per cent of the total cost of an Independent education in regional and remote Western Australia, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs including outside tuition and coaching ($1,831), transport ($1,062) and electronic devices ($878).
Futurity Investment Group’s Sarah McAdie said the costs associated with education are placing a substantial burden on many Australian families.
“Spiralling cost of living, rent and mortgage repayment pressures mean many households are under considerable pressure,” Ms McAdie said.
“With less discretionary money to spend, it is going to be a challenge for many families to pay for education, including school fees and voluntary contributions, which have all increased in the past year.
But despite the growing costs, Ms McAdie said education remains a priority for parents.
“The research shows they are finding ways to reduce their spending where possible.
“Ancillary spending is down compared to last year, with parents cutting back on outside tuition and coaching, musical instruments and electives.”
She said a growing proportion of parents are also choosing to delay an education opportunity for their child.
Futurity Investment Group commissioned McCrindle to conduct research into the Cost of Education.
The Cost of Education data is the combination of an online survey to 2,385 Australian parents and school income data reported by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
More reading: Latest cost of education figures in Australia revealed (2024)
