Adelaide’s Prince Alfred College reveals 2025 year 12 fee will top $32,000 as St Mary’s costs soar

Tuition fees at some Adelaide private schools have surged by as much as eight per cent for next year, raising concerns about the affordability of private education.

Private schools have handed parents fee hikes of up to eight per cent for tuition next year, and the cost at one elite campus will surpass $32,000.

Putting a child through year 10, 11 or 12 at Prince Alfred College in 2025 will cost families $32,640 – making it the most expensive fee revealed so far.

It is an increase of 5.7 per cent on the 2024 fee of $30,870, and the second year in a row the school has hiked its charges by a similar amount.

The school has increased its fees by more than 11 per cent in two years, which equates to about $3500 higher since 2023, when it charged $29,190.

Prince Alfred College was contacted for comment.

Putting a child through year 10, 11 or 12 at Prince Alfred College in 2025 will cost families $32,640. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

However, the largest percentage increase published online by an Adelaide school so far is at St Mary’s College.

The year 12 tuition fee at the CBD campus will rise 8.1 per cent next year, from $9800 to $10,600.

Parents of students at Immanuel College, in Novar Gardens, will also feel the squeeze with a 6.4 per cent fee hike, from $22,276 to $23,716.

Prince Alfred College principal David Roberts. Picture: Supplied

New Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) chief executive Anne Dunstan. Picture: Supplied

A series of other schools will raise Year 12 fees by around five per cent, including:

– St John’s Grammar School in Belair.

– Concordia College in Highgate.

– St Aloysius College in the city.

– Loreto College in Marryatville.

– St Ignatius’ College in Athelstone.

Gleeson College was among schools that will not charge more than they did in 2024.

St Michael’s College increased fees by about 4.5 per cent.

Pembroke School has not yet released its new fees schedule. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Other schools, such as University Senior College and Tatachilla Lutheran College increased their fees by about one per cent.

Pembroke School, which topped the 2024 list with $31,251 for year 12, is among the top schools that has not yet released its new fees schedule.

Association of Independent Schools of South Australia chief executive Anne Dunstan said their members, including Prince Alfred College, “work closely with their families” on school fees.

“These families often make significant sacrifices to ensure their children can attend a school that aligns with their values and aspirations,” Ms Dunstan said.

Economic pressures such as rising inflation, utility costs and operational expenses are factored into school fees.

About 70 per cent of an independent school’s income is allocated to staffing costs.

There is growing uncertainty about government funding of private schools “fuelled by calls from some politicians to cut or reduce funding to our students”, she said.

“These proposals risk creating instability for families already facing cost-of-living pressures and would further strain schools’ ability to provide the resources and support students need to provide,” Ms Dunstan said.

In SA, approximately 54,000 students are enrolled in an independent school.

Catholic Education SA (CESA) executive director Dr Neil McGoran said in 2025, the majority of its 101 schools will continue to freeze their fees for the fourth consecutive year.

“CESA remains committed to supporting families experiencing financial pressures,” Dr McGoran said.

In 2024, Pembroke overtook St Peter’s College as Adelaide’s most expensive private school.

It charged a 6.2 per cent increase on the $29,418 fee in 2023 – the largest percentage increase among 37 top schools surveyed by The Advertiser.