See what scholarships are on offer at South Australia’s top private schools in 2025

Want an elite Adelaide education without the price tag? Time is running out to apply for sought-after scholarships, see the last-minute application guide.

Parents have just days left to try to secure sought-after scholarships for their children at Adelaide’s top private schools.

While most offer subsidised tuition for academic excellence, some campuses are providing unique opportunities for children with specific skills – including playing rare musical instruments.

From 2026 elite St Peter’s College will award a new specialist instrument scholarship to students in years 5 to 10 to take up playing the tuba, oboe or bassoon.

The college will hold auditions in term 1 of 2026, but the deadline for most 2026 scholarships is fast approaching.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL LIST OF SCHOLARSHIPS

Many close on January 16 or 17 and entrance exams will be held from February 1.

Imogen McCullough will move from a public school to the private system this year after winning a principals’ scholarship at Walford Anglican School for Girls.

The 15-year-old attended Norwood International High School from years 7 to 9 before deciding to apply for a sporting scholarship at Walford in January last year.

The Wattle Park teen was unsuccessful but six months later applied successfully for a principal’s scholarship.

It provides a 40 per cent subsidy on the $32,520 fee for year 10 tuition.

Keen rower Imogen McCullough initially applied for a sporting scholarship at Walford Anglican School for Girls but was later awarded a principal’s scholarship. Picture: Tim Joy

Imogen’s father John McCullough said his daughter applied for the scholarship because she “wanted to push herself forward”.

The family was also attracted to the school’s sports science subject – something Imogen wants to pursue as a career – as well as its rowing program and small class sizes, the 51-year-old said.

Imogen had already been training with Walford’s rowing team since the start of term 4 last year.

“I really think I can take myself to the next level,” she said.

“Walford has opened everything up to me.”

A project director at a capital investment firm in Melbourne, Mr McCullough said “the money wasn’t an issue” with school fees, but the subsidy would help.

Walford Anglican School for Girls principal Dr Deborah Netolicky said the principal’s scholarship “provides opportunities for young women of good character who show leadership, achievement and participation”.

“Conducting scholarship interviews is one of my favourite parts of the principal job because it is an uplifting chance to hear from young people about themselves,” Dr Netolicky said.

Analysis of scholarships offered by the state’s independent and Catholic schools by The Advertiser shows academic, music, performing arts and “general excellence” are the most common categories, guaranteeing discounts on tuition fees of between 25 and 100 per cent.

Others are offered as a one-off grant or funded by foundations or charities.

Many schools offer old scholar scholarships to children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren of previous graduates.

There are also scholarships offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and those enrolling as boarding students.

A handful of schools have already closed applications, including Trinity College and Pembroke School.

Originally published as See what scholarships are on offer at South Australia’s top private schools in 2025