Brisbane Boys’ College unveils 7.5 per cent fee hike, total bill to hit $30k

Parents sending children to two of Brisbane’s best schools will have to pay more than $30,000 in fees and levies next year, the first time the $30k barrier has been broken. A third GPS school will charge a total of $29,662, as inflation hits hard.

Brisbane Boys’ College in Toowong. Picture: Tara Croser

Leading Toowong school, Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC), this afternoon (Thursday, November 24) broke the bad news to parents that fees will jump 7.5 per cent next year.

With various levies included, it is now one of at least two Queensland schools to have total fees and levies cracking the $30,000 mark.

Brisbane Grammar School, in Spring Hill, will still be the most expensive in the state with annual fees for Years 7-12 jumping to $30,320 next year, not including a $1310 tech levy.

Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), in East Brisbane, will raise its fees to $27,016, but with other levies the total average cost to parents next year will be $29,662.

Last year there was a large cost gap between BBC and Churchie, but in 2023 that will shrink to one of the smallest gaps in recent years.

BBC is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar upgrade program, including a $14 million Middle School building. Source: Hutchinson Builders

Most Queensland private schools significantly hiked fees this year, including seven per cent jumps for Cannon Hill Anglican College, All Hallows’ School in the CBD and Brigidine College in Indooroopilly.

It is expected most, if not all, will significantly raise their fees again in 2023, with St Patrick’s at Shorncliffe confirming two months ago that it would lift fees about 10 per cent over the next two years.

The school bought adjacent 1800s homestead Goldicott House to help accommodate its expansion. Picture: Supplied

Education expert Jack Stevens, whose company Edstart works with schools to manage fees processes, said the price hikes would be felt “across the board”.

BBC’s fees included curricular camps and excursions, unlike at many private schools, although special excursions such as a trip to Scotland earlier this year for Pipe Band members attending the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo were extra.

Currciular excursion fees were often steep at other leading schools, which have in previous years gone on expensive camps to Europe and elsewhere.

The BBC fees did not cover its building fund or technology levy. With those included the total bill for parents next year would be $30,048 for Years 7-12.

Headmaster Andre Casson has wide support for his changes since taking over at the school. Picture: Supplied

This year BGS fees were $29,000. BBC parents this year had to find $25,468 for each child in Years 7-12 and last year $24,724.

That equated to rises of just over 3 per cent in each of the past two years at BBC, among the lowest increases in Brisbane.

“(Our) 2023 fees will increase by 7.5 per cent,’’ principal Andre Casson said in the letter to parents.

“We understand that we find ourselves in challenging economic times.

“A high CPI (inflation) combined with increasing interest rates, factors that have not been part of our economic environment for some time, have created upward pressure on many of the expense lines across the college.

“It is important that we are prepared and have the flexibility to cover any unforeseen financial challenges that may arise in 2023 due to the current inflationary environment and the uncertain economic outlook.

“In addition, we are investing more into our staff to ensure we maintain the highest quality and calibre of teachers, especially in a time of considerable teacher shortages worldwide.’’

Mr Casson also pointed out the school’s major capital works program, which would continue into next year.

“These projects will allow us to provide our young men with the best environment possible to meet their academic and wellbeing needs,’’ he said.

“The college is committed to investing in and maintaining its resources.

“Additionally, we look forward to sharing our strategic plan and master plan with our community in due course.

“Given these budget pressures and the above considerations, we have focused on balancing our increasing costs whilst still ensuring tuition and boarding fees are at an appropriate level for the college and our BBC community.

“To that end, we have sought to increase fees at the minimum required amount to cover additional costs.

BBC would continue an early payment offer for those who wished to pay a full year’s fees in advance, at a discount of 2.5 per cent on tuition fees.

To take up that option, full annual fee payment must be received by December 9.