Gold Coast school fee hikes revealed: Full list

School fees on the Gold Coast are rising faster than stagnant pay packets with some parents now paying fees of up to $24,000 a year.

SCHOOL fees on the Gold Coast are rising faster than stagnant pay packets with some parents now paying fees of up to $24,000 a year.

A Bulletin analysis shows private school fees have jumped on average 3.2 per cent for the new school year.

By comparison, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said wages in the private sector rose 2.2 per cent last year.

Hillcrest College is responsible for the city’s steepest school fee price hike, with parents of Year 12 students asked to fork out an extra $836, or 8.9 per cent, on the $9364 charged last year for inclusive fees.

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However, the school said the rise was a one off as it includes the roll out of a new $600 computer program levy for senior year.

Parents with children in other year levels at the Hillcrest College will pay 2.5 per cent more than they did last year.

Schools across the Coast have raised fees.

Assisi College, which had the smallest fee hike in 2019, has raised this year’s fee 6.1-7.7 per cent for primary and secondary grades, up $335 for senior students.

Parents at The Southport School and Saint Hilda’s School are forking out $24,195 (up $819 or 3.5 per cent) and $20,696 (up $700 or 3.5 per cent) respectively for inclusive fees for Year 12 students.

Tamborine Mountain College’s fee hike of 1.7 per cent, or $110, for senior students is the lowest in the region.

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Gold Coast mother Sandy Kane said private school fees were always a struggle, but worth it.

With a seven-year-old at Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School and a Year 9 student at Trinity Lutheran College, Ms Kane said it was worth shopping around.

“I do think it is worth it, not only for the education but the network of friends.

“We are not doctors or lawyers, a lot of people like us work very hard.”

Ms Kane said she every price hike was explained to parents and bills broken down.

“I have found the Catholic system is the cheapest option from primary schools, but it really depends on what you want for each child and what the school offers.

Parents say it’s worth shopping around.

“Don’t assume because a school is priced the same that there no difference, it can be worth while driving 5km down the road.”

Executive director of Independent Schools Queensland David Robertson said fee increases of 2-3 per cent were in line with the consumer price index.

“The cost of providing a high-quality school education continues to increase, driven by rising wages, the employment of more specialist and support staff and technology and administration costs,” he said.

“In setting tuition fee levels, independent school boards are mindful of current economic conditions and carefully consider the capacity of their parents to absorb increases in tuition fees.”