Data reveals how much top Adelaide private school fees have risen in a decade

Imagine if your school fees spiked 40 per cent in 10 years – that’s the reality for parents at one elite Adelaide private school. But by 2033 the most expensive schools could charge $38,000. See the list.

Parents are paying as much as 40 per cent of their take-home pay to put a child through year 12 at Adelaide’s top private schools.

Analysis has also revealed how much fees have increased over the past decade – and how much they could rise by 2033.

The Advertiser compared Year 12 tuition fees charged this year and in 2013 by 12 independent and Catholic schools and found they had blown out by between $3160 and $8360.

The biggest increases over that period were at Walford Anglican School for Girls (39.7 per cent more), St Peter’s Girls’ School (37.2 per cent) and Pulteney Grammar School (36.6 per cent).

The smallest fee increases were at Mercedes College and Rostrevor College (both about 28 per cent) and Scotch College (29 per cent).

At half of the schools analysed, year 12 tuition fees would take up about 42 per cent of the wage of an average parent working full-time, after tax.

At the other six schools it varies between 20 and 39 per cent.

The Advertiser used Australian Bureau of Statistics data on the average weekly wage earned by South Australians working full-time, and the Australian Taxation Office tax calculator, to conduct in its analysis.

In 2013 the take-home wage was about $55,560. That has risen to about $70,060 today.

From left, Walford Anglican, St Peter’s, and Scotch College.

Separate modelling done by education investment service Futurity has examined how much school fees could rise by 2033.

Futurity estimates that for a year of secondary schooling in 2033 Adelaide parents will pay – on average – $15,685 in tuition fees in the independent system, $5626 in the Catholic sector and $1132 at a public school.

The Futurity figures show an average 29 per cent fee increase at secondary schools between 2023 and 2033.

This could mean the most expensive independent school on the list of 12 analysed by The Advertiser could be charging just short of $38,000 – at $37,990 for year 12 by 2033 – while fees at the most expensive Catholic school could rise to $23,245.

Futurity Investment Group CEO Kate Hill said increases of just a few per cent could equate to “hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a year”.

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

Catholic Education SA director Neil McGoran said schools were “committed to keeping school fees as low as possible and ensuring a Catholic education is affordable and accessible to all”.

“We’re particularly aware of the pressure on family budgets in this current climate of rising interest rates,” he said, citing initiatives including fee reductions or a low-income fee for some families and a free mid-year intake for reception students.

Association of Independent Schools of SA chief executive Anne Dunstan said fees were “not limited” to covering the costs of tuition and teachers, and also factored in maintenance, infrastructure and technology.

“Schools are subject to same economic pressures as other organisations and the rest of society, including inflation and rising costs of utilities,” she said.

“Independent schools work hard to maintain fees at affordable levels so that they can deliver a quality education for all students.”

The Advertiser contacted the 12 schools where it analysed fees.

Westminster Principal Simon Shepherd said setting school fees was “a complex process that respectfully considers the impact on our families while ensuring we uphold our mission to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students”.

St John’s Grammar School Principal Richard Anderson said the school balanced investing in facilities, technology and student and staff wellbeing with sound financial management and “minimising the financial impacts on our families over the past decade”.

“We firmly believe that an affordable and accessible education, combined with first-class resources and facilities, will empower our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” he said.

Yes, private education costs more – but it’s worth it

Psychologist Jodie Benveniste, the mother of year 12 St John’s Grammar School student Jet Dixon, said the cost of a private school is “an investment in your child and their future”.

The fee for year 12 at St John’s has increased by more than 32 per cent from 2013 to just shy of $19,000.

“It isn’t a decision that’s made lightly because you do have to pay more than a public school but we feel like it’s been worth it,” Ms Benveniste, 52, of Belair said.

She highlighted the “great community” and “very committed teachers” as aspects of the school which set it apart.

“The educators care and put a lot of effort and love into what they do,” Ms Benveniste said.

“As a parent, you do feel like your kids are supported to find their pathway, what kind of interests them and where they want to go after school.”

Jodie Benveniste with year 12 student Jet, who goes to St John’s Grammar. Picture Dean Martin

And Jet, 17, who wants to study engineering when he leaves school, agrees with his mother.

“They really integrate students and parents and teachers in a way that makes it beyond a school,” he said.

“I’ve not been to a public school … but I just think you notice that everyone cares, they care how well you’re doing, they care how you’re feeling. I think that’s unique to St John’s and it’s invaluable.”

Jet said he feels supported by his school in deciding his future.

“They’ve got so many support structures to ensure there’s a smooth transition from my school to whatever you want to do.

“For me that’s university but for a lot of people that’s not what they want to do but the school’s still there to support whatever you want to do.”