Full list: Adelaide’s most expensive private schools in 2025 ranked

The skyrocketing cost of private education in South Australia has hit a staggering new high with the state’s most expensive surpassing $33k. Search the fees.

Pembroke School has retained the title of Adelaide’s most expensive private school, becoming the state’s first to raise its year 12 fee above $33,000.

Latest fee information published online shows parents will be charged $33,120 to put a child through year 10, 11 or 12 at Pembroke School in 2025.

Last year the Kensington-based school overtook St Peter’s College as Adelaide’s most expensive private campus when it lifted its fee to $31,251.

St Peter’s charged $31,190 for 2024.

St Peters College will charge $32,910 for year 12 in 2025. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

This year St Peter’s is charging $32,910 – still below the cost at Pembroke.

The Advertiser has analysed the 2024 and 2025 fees at almost 30 private schools charging at least $10,000 for year 12 tuition.

Based on today’s figures, a parent enrolling a child in reception at Pembroke this year would have to pay more than $348,500 for 13 years of schooling.

Pembroke School declined to comment on the fee increase when contacted by The Advertiser.

This year there are eight schools charging more than $30,000 for year 12.

At least 12 have increased fees by between 5 and 6 per cent.

The largest percentage increase published online by an Adelaide school is at St Mary’s College, in the CBD, where the year 12 tuition fee rose 8.2 per cent to $10,600.

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The most affordable school on the list is Woodcroft College, in Morphett Vale, which is charging $10,550 for year 12.

Marty Fox is both a teacher and parent at the school.

FULL LIST OF ADELAIDE’S CHEAPEST PRIVATE SCHOOLS

He and wife Lauren chose to move their children - Zara, now in year 12, Elsa, year 10, and Max, year 6 - from a public primary school.

“Outside of the mortgage it is the second-largest cost in our family budget,” Mr Fox, 50, said.

“As a parent, cost of living is going up so much and you’re always wanting to get value for money.”

Mr Fox said the expense of private school fees was worth it to see his children “shine” at a faith-based school.

“Since coming to Woodcroft I’ve seen a massive jump in their personal confidence,” said the art, design and religion teacher.

Marty Fox teaches at Woodcroft College, with his children Elsa, Maxwell and Zara. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Elsewhere, Westminster School has informed parents of a 6.9 per cent fee hike, taking its year 12 tuition cost to $28,728.

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

Seymour College has increased its fee by 5.6 per cent in 2025, to $32,400.

Walford Anglican School for Girls has raised its fee by 5.4 per cent, to $32,520 in 2025.

Parents of St Peter’s Girls School students will pay similar – $32,300 for year 12, up 5.2 per cent.

Immanuel College, in Novar Gardens, has increased its year 12 fee to $23,716 in 2025. Picture: Matt Loxton

In contrast, University Senior College increased its fees by one per cent.

About 54,000 South Australian students are enrolled at an independent school.

Association of Independent Schools of SA chief executive Anne Dunstan has said rising inflation, utility costs and operational expenses are factored into school fees.

About 70 per cent of a school’s income is allocated to staffing costs, she said.

Catholic Education SA’s 101 schools teach about 52,000 students.

In 2025, the majority will freeze their fees for the fourth consecutive year, Catholic Education SA executive director Dr Neil McGoran has said.

Originally published as Full list: Adelaide’s most expensive private schools in 2025 ranked