‘Money grab’: Devastated parents react to school fee hike of up to 60 per cent

Parents from Aquinas College say they were blindsided by the school’s decision to substantially hike fees, with many now considering pulling their kids out.

A low-cost Melbourne Catholic school has increased fees by up to 60 per cent over the past three years, with irate parents describing it as a “money grab”.

Parents from Aquinas College in Ringwood told the Herald Sun they are “dumbfounded” and “heartbroken” and after learning of the 2026 fee increases, which follow substantial rises in 2025 and 2024.

The 2026 year 12 total fee per student is now $11,540 compared to $9610 in 2025 and $8440 in 2024, with additional increases due to new compulsory levies and reduction in sibling discounts.

Aquinas College has been accused of lifting its fees by more than 60 per cent for some families. Picture: Facebook

The school, in Melbourne’s outer east, has been accused of deceiving parents by communicating the increase in term four, when it is too late to pull out for 2026 without penalty.

One said it was “nothing short of disgraceful. It shows zero regard for the financial reality families are facing, and will push many into genuine financial hardship”.

It comes as many Victorian schools are increasing fees by six to 11 per cent.

Families at Aquinas say sibling discounts, which are common in many Catholic schools, have been reduced from 20 per cent to 5 per cent, compounding the impact of the fee increases.

“What happened to every child deserving a Catholic education? Or is it only for those that can afford it now?” another parent said.

Fees at Ringwood's Aquinas College have increased by between 18 and 29 per cent in 2025 and 2026. Picture: Google Street View

One parent who contacted the Herald Sun said she cried when she learnt of the 2026 fee increase. Her fees for two children have gone from $8416 in 2022 to $22,441.25.

A survey of 383 families from the school, collated by one parent, shows fees have increased by 61 per cent for families with three children, 47 per cent for those with two children and 35.7 per cent for those with one child.

Between 2025 and 2026 alone, the fees have increased by between 18 and 29 per cent, depending on the family type.

The survey, which represents about one third of the total parent population, found 99.1 per cent of respondents object to the size of the fee increase for 2026, with 60 per cent saying it would cause financial hardship. Just under half said they would look at other schools as a result and 40 per cent said they may look at other schools.

A total of 91.6 per cent said they did not think the school took the parents’ capacity to pay when formulating fees, 80 per cent said they did not believe the school’s reasons for the increase and 98 per cent said the school had not properly consulted with them.

The survey noted that “the overwhelming tone of parent feedback is anger, frustration and loss of trust”.

“Parents describe the magnitude, timing and communication of the 2026 fee increase as unethical, insensitive and inconsistent with the school’s Catholic values. Many say they feel deceived and blindsided.”

The letter sent to Aquinas College parents last week.

The letter sent to Aquinas College parents last week.

The school has a Capacity to Contribute score of 104, putting it on the same socio-economic status as Avila College in Mount Waverley, Emmaus College in Vermont South and Sacred Heart College in Newtown, Geelong.

Avila’s total fees are $9675 for year 12 in 2025, Emmaus’ fees are $10,320 and Sacred Heart’s fees are $9165 for year 12 in 2025.

The Aquinas College letter to parents announcing the 2026 fee increases notes the school is “starting stage 1 of our Master Plan, which includes new and upgraded facilities for learning, Food Technology, Music and the Health Centre. The capital levy increase will help fund these improvements and ongoing maintenance, ensuring a safe and inspiring environment for all students and staff.”

David Broadbent, principal, Aquinas College, said: “Each year, the College and our School Advisory Council carefully review our financial position to ensure we can continue to deliver our mission to provide a high-quality, Catholic education, while remaining accessible for our community”.

“Like all Catholic and non-government schools, we rely on parent contributions to bridge the growing gap in government education funding, and to fund critical infrastructure upgrades,” he said.

“We are acutely conscious of the financial pressures facing working families, and the need to balance this with ensuring the immediate and long-term financial sustainability of the College.

“We look at each family’s circumstances individually and often provide support where necessary to ensure continuity of education and care.

“At Aquinas College, our school fees remain below the average annual tuition fees for Catholic secondary schools in greater Melbourne which, in turn, remain some of the most affordable in Australia,” Mr Broadbent said.

Another Catholic school, Mount St Joseph Girls’ College, has also hiked their fees, hitting parents with a jump of more than 10% in 2026.

Families were notified on Tuesday the cost per senior school student is now $6900, up $600 from $6300 in 2025.

Principal Kate Dishon said in a letter sent to parents the rise was due to increasing costs of operating the school.

“The cost of operating our school is increasing in multiple areas including wages,

insurance premiums, regulatory and compliance costs, risk management,

teacher resources and professional learning,” she said.

“A decision to adjust tuition fees is never made lightly, nor without careful and

thorough consideration of our students’ needs and our school’s capacity to

provide an education experience that supports every student to flourish.”

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Originally published as ‘Money grab’: Devastated parents react to school fee hike of up to 60 per cent