High demand means applications for 2025 and 2026 have already closed at some private schools

Top private schools are turning away students who have been on waiting lists for a decade as parents spend thousands in non-refundable fees to try to secure a spot.

Parents are being asked to pay more than $10,000 in non-refundable fees to secure places at top Victorian private schools years before their child even sets foot on campus.

It comes as competition for some of the most prestigious schools is so intense that schools are turning away students who have been on waiting lists for up to 10 years, the Herald Sun can reveal.

Applications for 2025 and 2026 have already closed at schools such as Scotch College and Caulfield Grammar due to high demand.

This is despite tuition fees increasing by up to eight per cent for 2024, bringing the total cost of 13 years of private school to more than $300,000.

Scotch College’s applications for 2025 and 2026 have closed. Picture: Tony Gough

One of the most expensive schools to secure a place is the exclusive Fintona Girls’ School, which charges $150 in an application fee, $1800 in a non-refundable enrolment fee and an additional term of fees ($8572 in year 12). The latter fee could be paid years ahead of the place being taken up and is not refundable if the family’s circumstances change.

More schools are now asking for prepayment of fees regardless of when the student is taking up the place. This includes Scotch College, which asks for a $250 application fee and a $1500 enrolment fee which are both non-refundable. This is in addition to a $5400 holding fee which is credited to the first term’s fees.

Ruyton Girls’ School charges $4310 to secure a place, which is comprised of a non-refundable application fee of $110, entrance fees of $400 to the Ruyton Foundation, a non-refundable, non-deferrable fee of $2000 deducted from the first account and $1500 fees in advance credited to the final fee statement when the student leaves the school. A non-refundable fee of $300 is also payable to the Old Ruytonians Association.

At Geelong Grammar there is a $350 non-refundable application fee followed by an enrolment fee of $2500 students prep to year 12, excepting year nine at Timbertop where the enrolment fee is $5000.

Geelong Grammar has a $350 non-refundable application fee followed by an enrolment fee of $2500 students prep to year 12.

With places often allocated two years in advance, parents at schools such as St Catherine’s College in Toorak, Trinity Grammar and Wesley College are paying more than $4000 to accept a position.

As well as application and enrolment fees, parents are usually required to pay a term’s fees in advance, usually in September the year before starting. A growing number of schools, including Geelong Grammar, Scotch College and Caulfield Grammar, now have annual year 12 fees topping $40,000, so a term’s fees can reach more than $10,000. This will blow out the initial commitment to more than $15,000 upfront at many schools.

Not all schools charge this much.

Ivanhoe Grammar charges $120 for an application fee and $1400 for a non-refundable capital levy to secure a position.

Caulfield Grammar’s year 12 fees are more than $40,000. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Principal Gerard Foley said such deposits “can benefit both schools and families”.

“When we enrol a student, we would like to think that they are committed to an Ivanhoe education. By charging a fee that is credited against tuition fees at the appropriate time, we can plan budgets, programs and class sizes with confidence, providing certainty for our students and families,” he said.

Tracey Taylor, acting CEO of Independent Schools Australia, said many factors go into an independent school’s decision about fees.

“It is up to each school to determine the most appropriate fees for the education, facilities and services they provide. Every independent school is different,” she said.

Fintona Girls' School is one of the most expensive schools to secure a place.

Kate Hill, Futurity investment Group CEO said enrolment fees generally serve two purposes.

“Firstly, they secure a student’s place at a school of their parents choosing. They also allow a school to assess and plan for student demand.”

“Enrolment fees are similar to any other non-refundable deposit. If you make a sizeable financial commitment, you are less likely to shop around and more likely to commit.”

“Similar to school fee increases, enrolment fee increases are impacting parents. In some instances, parents are forking out $8,000 as an enrolment fee to secure a place for their child. This cost is placing more of a burden on parents who are already stretched by the spiralling cost of living,” she said.

A number of schools do not disclose their application and enrolment fees, with parents only accessing the full fee details once they have started an online application. These schools include Eltham College, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, Melbourne Grammar and Mentone Girl’s Grammar.

Originally published as High demand means applications for 2025 and 2026 have already closed at some private schools