How much it costs to secure a spot at dozens of Adelaide’s top private schools

Many Adelaide private colleges charge parents hundreds of dollars just to reserve a spot – and for some it’s much, much more. See how widely the costs vary.

Schools are charging parents up to $3000 in enrolment fees in an attempt to weed out families who aren’t genuine about securing places.

A survey by The Advertiser found many independent and Catholic schools charge an enrolment fee – which is often hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dollars – to accept a position at their campus.

Sometimes all or part of the fee is deducted off the tuition fees for the student, once they start at the school.

Most also charge a small fee to apply for a place at the school.

Of the schools surveyed, Scotch College had the most expensive enrolment fee, at $3000 – but two-thirds of this is credited against tuition fees.

In Adelaide’s south, Woodcroft College charges a $60 application and $700 enrolment fee, while Gleeson College at Golden Grove charges a $50 application and $155 enrolment fee, and the Hills Christian Community School in Verdun charges a flat $350 enrolment fee.

At St Peter’s College, it costs $100 to apply and $2500 to accept a position, with

$550 of the enrolment fee for membership to the St Peter’s Old Collegians.

At traditional rival Prince Alfred College, the costs are $100 and $1250, which also includes lifelong membership of the Old Scholars Association.

Association of Independent Schools of South Australia chief executive Carolyn Grantskalns said application and enrolment fees were “designed to demonstrate intent”.

She said schools fielded lots of inquiries and could end up with waiting lists 300 students long.

“Obviously schools need to have some idea of how many students might want to start in a particular year,” Mrs Grantskalns said. “(Enrolment fees) are a sign of genuine interest.”

She said paying an enrolment fee also signalled the beginning of a relationship between the family and the school, where parents were sent information and invitations to events.

Scotch College in Torrens Park. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Scotch College admissions director Carrie Cousar said the school’s $3000 enrolment charge included a $2000 “holding fee” that contributed to the provision of classroom spaces, educational facilities and infrastructure and teaching staff.

Half of the remaining fee is for life membership to the Scotch College Old Collegians Association and the other $500 is to cover administrative costs.

If a family withdrew from a position at the Torrens Park school and gave a term or more notice, she said the holding fee was refunded.

The $500 Old Collegians Life Membership fee is returned in all instances, she said.

Catholic Education South Australia director Neil McGoran said application fees were charged by some schools “largely to cover administration costs”.

“Not every enrolment application ends with an admission to the school, as families sometimes change their school preferences for varying reasons,” Dr McGoran said.

SA Director of Catholic Education Dr Neil McGoran says enrolment fees help schools cover their administration costs. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

The 2020 St Peter's College vs Prince Alfred College intercol. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Dr McGoran said the setting of these fees rested with the schools.

“Some schools will deduct the application fee from Term 1 fees to assist families,” Dr McGoran said.

“Families under financial hardship may have application fees waived entirely.”

Woodcroft’s Head of College Sharon Warren said application fees covered administration costs, while the enrolment fee indicated a “commitment to the school by a family”.

“This is important to ensure that the college can meet the needs of all students,” Mrs Warren said.