Gold Coast school fees: 2021 full list revealed

Gold Coast’s most expensive school fees for 2021 have been revealed, with some parents set to pay well over $24,000 annually. SEE THE FULL LIST

AT least half-a-dozen Gold Coast private schools are freezing fees for this year as the financial pain from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bite.

Many others are increasing the cost of tuition by 1 per cent.

A Gold Coast Bulletin analysis can reveal that tuition fees – which can cost families of upwards of $20,000 a year – have stagnated in an effort to take the financial sting off of the pandemic.

Other local schools are also seeking to maintain student numbers following a brutal year by keeping increases low, with an average annual fee jump of just 1.1 per cent, well down from the average hike of 3.2 per cent in 2020.

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Schools that have held prices include A.B. Paterson College, All Saints Anglican School, Assisi Catholic College, St Andrew’s Lutheran College, St Hilda’s School and Trinity Lutheran College.

The largest fee hike on the Gold Coast was 4.4 per cent – or $145 price rise – for junior years at Tamborine Mountain College (TMC) to a total of $3425 in annual inclusive tuition.

Fees for middle and senior year students at TMC are increasing 1.7 per cent.

Aquinas College followed with a price increase of 3 per cent, or $150 a year.

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Assisi College Students, April McFaul 11 and Mia McFaul 13 from Coomera, getting excited to go back to school. Their mum is pleased the school decided against any fee rises in 2021. Assisi College remains one of the most affordable in the city. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The most expensive fees on the Gold Coast remained at The Southport School where parents of Year 12 students are expected to pay $24,000.

The elite school, which had dozens of boarding students delayed from returning due to COVID-19 last year, has increased fees by 1 per cent for 2021.

Hillcrest Christian College, which had the biggest increase in fees last year, has since changed its website. Its fees for 2021 have not been made public.

Assisi Catholic College principal Michael Laidler said schools are always trying to look out for their community during difficult times, which is why the board decided to hold any price rises this year.

“We were able to do it because we have been smart with our money and have seen an increase in enrolments, so it made sense to ease off this year,” Mr Laidler said.

“COVID has really made people struggle, so the consensus among the leadership team was any fee rise was unreasonable.

“We will obviously have to tighten the purse strings here and there but have been able to offer a cut in fees for two terms last year as well.

“I think it is a matter of weighing it up and helping out where you can.”

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Parents at The Southport School were spared any significant fee hikes in 2021. Pic Tim Marsden

Trinity Lutheran College council chair Paul Kleinshcmidt echoed the sentiment in a letter to parents about fees.

“We were all in this together,” Mr Kleinshcmidt said.

“At a time of continuing economic uncertainty and business vulnerability, through continued efforts and efficiencies in the college’s financial planning, we have been able to maintain the current fee structure into 2021.”

Independent Schools Queensland executive director David Robertson said fee decisions were likely to vary from school to school in 2021, given the disproportionate effect COVID-19 had had on different industries, regions and families.

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David Robertson, head of independent Schools Queensland said some schools took a real hit to the back pocket in 2020.

Financial pressures were still evident for many independent schools unable to hold off increases, as some faced a drop in revenue from a loss of international students.

“Boards are in the unenviable position of having to ensure their independent schools remain sustainable in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty and rising education costs, including staff wages,” Mr Robertson said.

LAST YEAR’S FEES: SEE THE 2020 SCHOOL FEES LIST

“They are making difficult decisions in difficult times.

“Adding to the financial pressures of many independent schools will be a reduction in Commonwealth funding from 2022 with the introduction of the Direct Measure of Income into the school funding model. In addition, a number of independent schools are continuing to provide fee relief to families impacted by the drought, which continues to devastate 67.4 per cent of the state, and also to families facing hardship as a result of the economic fallout from COVID-19.

“Families should speak directly with their independent school if they need assistance.”

Queensland independent schools are expected to welcome about 130,000 new and returning domestic students in 2021, including 23,500 on the Gold Coast.