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Wide Bay Burnett private school fees 2024

The cost of sending a child to one of the 22 private primary schools and 14 private high schools across the Wide Bay Burnett varies greatly. Compare each school’s 2024 fees here.

Parents across Gympie, the Fraser Coast, Bundaberg and the Burnett regions are paying thousands of dollars in tuition and fees to send their children through private education. Now the prices of the area’s private and high schools can be revealed.
Parents across Gympie, the Fraser Coast, Bundaberg and the Burnett regions are paying thousands of dollars in tuition and fees to send their children through private education. Now the prices of the area’s private and high schools can be revealed.

Cost of living pressures are being felt across the country with families regularly weighing up which parts of the budget are the most important, perhaps none more so than their children’s education bills.

Prestigious private schools understandably do not come cheap, given the high quality of service parents demand and the standards those running the schools expect to live up to.

There is no shortage of choice across the Wide Bay Burnett either, with 22 private primary schools and 14 high schools spread across the region.

Now we can reveal how the fees of these schools stack up in comparison to the rest for 2024.

All fees are from the 2024 year unless otherwise stated.

Primary schools

All charges are for Year 6 students in 2024 unless otherwise stated.

St Patrick's Catholic Primary School at Nanango was the second cheapest private primary school in the Wide Bay Burnett in 2024.
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School at Nanango was the second cheapest private primary school in the Wide Bay Burnett in 2024.

22. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, Bundaberg

Information on the school’s 2024 fees is unavailable online.

Principal: Monica White

St Joseph’s was among the cheapest private primary school on the Wide Bay Burnett in 2022 thanks to its $1704 cost.

This was made up of a $1320 tuition fee, and a $384 building levy.

Students care for Milbi, the school’s pet turtle, engage in potato growing competitions and are involved in ‘Cut the Glow to Help Turtles Go’ public awareness campaign with Mon Repos Conservation Park.

21. St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Nanango

Principal: Nicole Rutten (acting)

School fees for this Nanango private school come in at $1440.

This includes $720 in fees, a $350 capital levy, a $250 general purpose levy, and a $120 community levy.

20. St Therese’s Catholic Primary School, Monto

Principal: Doiya Knapman

Sending a child to this North Burnett school for Year 6 will come with a cost of $1505.20.

It includes $1505.20 in school fees, an $80 technology levy, and a $70 primary levy.

A donation of $80 per term, or $320 in total, in school building funds.

19. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Murgon

Principal: Tracey Gerrard

This Murgon school is charging $1598 for 2024, including a $316 capital levy and a $250 school levy.

Bus charges for students living at Wondai or Cherbourg are also available, at $30 or $20 per term respectively.

Xavier Catholic College, at Hervey Bay, sits just outside the 10 most expensive private primary schools across the Wide Bay Burnett.
Xavier Catholic College, at Hervey Bay, sits just outside the 10 most expensive private primary schools across the Wide Bay Burnett.

18. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Gayndah

Principal: Bec O’Connor

Parents will be paying $1777 for their students to attend this North Burnett-based private school in 2024.

This fee includes a $952 school fee, a $410 general purpose fee, a $350 capital and maintenance levy, a $200 IT levy, a $120 P&F levy, and a tax deductible $60 library fund.

Facilities include a parish church, multipurpose courts, shaded play areas and two playgrounds.

17. St Mary’s Catholic Primary, Bundaberg

Principal: Bill Goodwin

A year at St Mary’s will cost parents a total $2509, which includes $1505 in tuition fees as well levies of $180 for resource, $130 for technology, $454 for the school building fund, and $240 for school activities.

16. St John’s Lutheran School, Kingaroy

School’s website still lists 2023 fees.

Principal: Karyn Bjelke-Petersen

Parents can expect to pay $2787.50 for a Year 6 student to attend this Kingaroy private school.

This includes an annual fee of $2730, along with a $32.50 activity levy and a $25 P&F levy.

The school’s facilities include specialist rooms for science, arts, manual arts and home economics, music program, bike tracks, tennis courts, and undercover basketball courts.

15. St Patrick’s Primary School, Bundaberg

Principal: Mark Fox

In 2024 parents will pay $2797.80 to send their children to St Patrick’s at Bundaberg.

This includes a $1505.20 main school fee, a $420 resource levy, a building levy of $453.60, a technology levy of $130, an iPad levy of $289.

The school curriculum includes music programs and school camps which incur fees too.

Sending a student to Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School for Year 6 will cost a family more than $3500 in 2024.
Sending a student to Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School for Year 6 will cost a family more than $3500 in 2024.

14. St Patrick’s Catholic School, Gympie

Principal: Petrea Hass

Gympie’s least expensive non-public primary school carries an annual fee of $2832.

Included in this price is a $1976 school fee, a $436 capital levy, a $160 student resource levy, a $150 technology levy, and a $110 P&F levy.

St Patrick’s facilities include an information technology hub, and a music room.

13. St Mary’s Catholic College South Burnett, Kingaroy

Principal: Carmel O’Brien

This private school at Kingaroy will cost parents of a Year 6 student at least $2962 in fees and charges.

The price includes a $620 family capital levy and a $150 family P&F levy.

A $720 general levy and $316 ICT levy are included on their fee sheet too.

12. St John’s Lutheran Primary School, Bundaberg

School’s website still lists 2022 fees.

Principal: Jocelyn Bakker (acting)

This central Bundaberg private school will cost at least $3120, including a $2620 tuition fee and a $500 resource levy.

Additional levies include a voluntary $120 P&F levy and a $200 building fund donation.

The school boasts a modern library, purpose-built music and computer rooms, and a large multipurpose hall.

11. Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay

Principal: Simon Dash

The cheapest private primary school on the Fraser Coast, a year at Xavier will cost parents $3187.

This includes $1272 in school fees, a $740 family capital levy, a $645 student levy, a $380 technology levy, and a family P&C levy of $150.

Xavier’s facilities include a theatre, drama and music facility, a performing arts centre and a digital technology workshop area.

Cooloola Christian College, which is in the middle of expanding its Gympie campus offerings, is the sixth most expensive private primary school and the seventh most expensive private high school across the Wide Bay and Burnett.
Cooloola Christian College, which is in the middle of expanding its Gympie campus offerings, is the sixth most expensive private primary school and the seventh most expensive private high school across the Wide Bay and Burnett.

10. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Maryborough

Principal: Michelle White

Having a child attend Year 6 at this Maryborough private school will come with a $3242 bill.

This will include costs of $1132 in tuition, a $875 general year levy, a $555 family capital levy, a $100 family P&F levy, a $100 voluntary library contribution, and an $80 voluntary parish contribution.

Other fees are incurred for students involved in the school’s instrumental music program.

9. Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, Hervey Bay

Principal: Nathan Wilson

This Hervey Bay private school carries a total fee of $3542, which includes a $1116 tuition fee, a $736 family capital levy, a $700 camp levy, a $590 year level levy, and a $400 technology levy.

The school’s facilities include a chapel, a multipurpose hall, senior grassed oval, junior grassed oval, and multipurpose court (tennis, netball and basketball).

8. Bayside Christian College, Hervey Bay

Principal: Brian Grimes

A year at this Urraween private school will cost parents $3620.

This price includes a $2300 tuition fee, and a $1320 resource fee.

7. St James Lutheran College, Hervey Bay

Principal: Luke Schoff

Parents can expect to pay at least $4164 for their students to attend St James Lutheran, which includes $4064 in tuition.

other fees include a $250 voluntary building fund levy, and a $100 compulsive P & F levy.

There are many extra-curricular opportunities available to students including a Dramatic Arts For Youth Program, band and choirs, basketball, chess and soccer clubs, a film and television club and a robotics club.

6. Cooloola Christian College, Gympie

Principal: Ross Waltisbuhl

The primary school section of this Gympie school will cost parents $4170 this year in total, including $3450 in tuition and a $720 general levy.

The college’s facilities include a $2.8 million STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Centre and Arts precinct, along with a graphics and technology hub and an arts precinct decked out with LED lighting and full multimedia capabilities.

A Year 6 education at Riverside Christian College at Maryborough comes at a cost of $4350 in 2024.
A Year 6 education at Riverside Christian College at Maryborough comes at a cost of $4350 in 2024.

5. Riverside Christian College, Maryborough

Principal: Michelle Gouge

A Year 6 education at this Maryborough school will cost $4350 in 2024.

Using the school’s bus service for the duration of the year will add at least $1165 to the final total.

In addition to the school’s Maryborough campus, which boasts a range of facilities including a library and after school care, Riverside has an option for distance education too.

4. Bundaberg Christian College, Bundaberg

Principal: Paul Thompson

This college at Windermere carries a cost of $4496, including a $3940 tuition fee and $554 yearly levy.

A key feature of the college’s primary school system is letting students study year levels outside age restrictions.

3. Victory College, Gympie

School’s website still lists 2023 fees.

Principal: Alwyn Prinsloo

The final Gympie private school on the list, a year at Victory College will cost parents at least $4798.26

The fees are not broken down any further on the school’s website.

College bus fees for students start at $970.96 per year for one student.

A major drawcard for the college is its equestrian centre, which is joined by other services including three ovals, a large indoor sports stadium, a multipurpose auditorium and a lecture theatre.

2. Fraser Coast Anglican College, Hervey Bay

Principal: Joe Wright

The college at Wondunna is the second most expensive in the Wide Bay Burnett with a price tag of $5868, including $4994 for tuition, a $546 year levy and a $328 tech levy.

The extensive list of facilities on offer at the college include a library and resource centre, covered multipurpose area, art and drama classrooms, industrial technology building, science laboratories, and a purpose-built technology precinct with computer laboratories.

St Luke’s Anglican at Bundaberg charged the highest fees of the Wide Bay Burnett’s private schools in 2024, with a Year 12 education coming with an $8752 price tag.
St Luke’s Anglican at Bundaberg charged the highest fees of the Wide Bay Burnett’s private schools in 2024, with a Year 12 education coming with an $8752 price tag.

1. St Luke’s Anglican School, Bundaberg

Principal: Matthew Hughes

The most expensive primary school in the Wide Bay Burnett carries a 2024 student cost of $7287.

Included in this is a $6137 tuition fee and a $1150 capital levy.

The school is built on 21ha, incorporating landscaped gardens, extensive outdoor sporting facilities, an indoor gymnasium and modern classrooms.

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High schools

All charges are for Year 12 students in 2024 unless otherwise stated.

14. St Patrick’s College, Gympie

School’s website still lists 2023 fees.

Principal: Mark Newton

This Gympie college ranks as the cheapest high school in the Wide Bay Burnett with to a total annual cost of about $3705.

This is made of fees including $2452 for tuition, a $423 general student levy, a $240 camp levy, a $440 e-learning levy and a $150 student activity levy.

Some subjects attract levies as well, depending on the student’s choices.

Facilities include a learning resource centre, a college chapel, e-Learning and IT support, tuckshop and pastoral area on the ground floor.

13. St Mary’s College, Maryborough

Principal: Tameika Grist

Student education for Year 12 at this Maryborough secondary school will require a payment of $4421.

This fee includes a $2196 tuition fee, $755 resource levy, a $700 capital levy, $495 technology levy, a $165 cam and retreat levy, and a $110 general purpose levy.

Certificate courses can also be undertaken by students at additional cost.

12. St John’s Lutheran School Kingaroy

School’s website still lists 2023 fees.

Principal: Karyn Bjelke-Petersen

Sending a senior student to this Kingaroy private school will cost parents about $4440, the latest available school fees show.

These costs include a $4275 annual fee, $50 activity levy, $25 P&F levy, and a $90 technology levy.

11. Bayside Christian College, Maryborough

Principal: Brian Grimes

The second cheapest high school in the Wide Bay, a year at Bayside will cost $4700.

This fee includes $2700 in tuition, and a $2000 resource fee.

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Fees listed on St Patrick’s College at Gympie show it was charging the lowest price for Year 12 students of all the Wide Bay Burnett’s private secondary schools.
Fees listed on St Patrick’s College at Gympie show it was charging the lowest price for Year 12 students of all the Wide Bay Burnett’s private secondary schools.

10. St Mary’s Catholic College, Kingaroy

Principal: Carmel O’Brien

A Year 12 student at this Kingaroy private school will cost parents at least $4800 in 2024.

This includes a $2508 tuition fee, a $620 family capital levy and a $150 family P&F levy.

A $675 general levy and $660 ICT levy and $187 subject levy are part of the education fees too, while elective subjects will draw further costs.

9. Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay

Principal: Simon Dash

Attending this Hervey Bay private school’s secondary classes will cost $4985, plus the cost of whatever specialty subjects are being studied.

This price includes a $2580 school fee, and $800 student levy, a $740 family capital levy, a $715 technology levy, and a $150 family P&C levy.

8. Riverside Christian College, Maryborough

Principal: Michelle Gouge

This Maryborough school will cost the parents of a Year 12 student $5015, with the possibility of up to $1165 being incurred for the school’s express bus service.

7. Cooloola Christian College, Gympie

Principal: Ross Waltisbuhl

The last of the three Gympie private schools and the most expensive for high school students in the region with a total annual fee of $5480.

This fee includes $4490 for tuition fee and $1350 for a general levy.

The price of a Year 12 education at Bundaberg Christian College in 2024 was about in the middle of the pack for secondary schools.
The price of a Year 12 education at Bundaberg Christian College in 2024 was about in the middle of the pack for secondary schools.

6. Bundaberg Christian College, Bundaberg

Principal: Paul Thompson

Sending a student to this private school will cost parents at least $5562 in 2024.

It includes a $4856 tuition fee, a $366 yearly levy, and a $340 laptop hire.

Subjects incur additional charges.

High school students can take part in the Hoof ‘n’ Hook program, which educates students on the value of the beef industry.

This includes judging cattle and attending shows, which puts them in touch with leading industry experts.

5. Shalom Catholic College, Bundaberg

Principal: Dan McMahon

Sending children in their final year before graduation to Shalom will cost parents $5643.

This fee includes $3222.40 for tuition, $1971 for levies, and $450 for laptop costs.

4. Victory College, Gympie

School’s website still lists 2023 fees.

Principal: Alwyn Prinsloo

Sending high school students to this Gympie private college costs $6180.50 a year.

It website does not provide a breakdown of the fees which make up this cost.

3. St James Lutheran, Hervey Bay

Principal: Luke Schoff

This Hervey Bay private school carries a total $6712 annual fee, which includes a $6612 tuition cost and a $100 compulsive P & F levy.

A voluntary $250 building levy can be paid too.

Shalom Catholic College at Bundaberg scraped into the top five most expensive private high schools, with Year 12 school fees costing parents $5463.
Shalom Catholic College at Bundaberg scraped into the top five most expensive private high schools, with Year 12 school fees costing parents $5463.

2. Fraser Coast Anglican College, Hervey Bay

Principal: Joe Wright

The second most expensive private high school on the Wide Bay carries a $7995 price tag for its senior students.

Included in this is a $7010 tuition fee, an $865 year levy, and a $120 technology levy.

1. St Luke’s Anglican School, Bundaberg

Principal: Matthew Hughes

The most expensive high school in the Wide Bay, this Bundaberg college will cost at least $8752 a year.

Included in this cost are a $7602 tuition fee, and $1150 capital levy.

Extra costs can be incurred for music fees and book hires.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gympie/wide-bay-burnett-private-school-fees-2024/news-story/dd78262aebe2de5271331b6a2d70c5bc