Ballarat parents pay $140,000+ private schools

Ballarat parents are forking out thousands more to send their children to private school in 2025, as fees at some colleges top $140,000.

Parents in Ballarat are being asked to splurge more on a private school education in 2025 than ever before.

The cost of private and catholic schools is rising with some schools increasing their fees by as much as 13 per cent for a full six year high school education.

Ballarat Grammar School is the most expensive in the region, where parents of kids starting year seven this year can expect to pay an astounding $142,820 for them to get to year 12 — an $11,740 increase compared to kids who started high school last year.

Although the tuition includes a Netbook levy of $640, there is a non-refundable application fee of $250 for each child and an additional non-compulsory building fund donation is asked of parents, at a price of $240.

Ranking 159th in the state for NAPLAN in 2024, Ballarat Grammar outperformed other schools in the region.

However, while fees are high, students’ scores did not match Ballarat Clarendon College, where VCE students received the highest median study score in the state last year.

BALLARAT CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

The cheapest school in the region is Ballarat Christian College.

Tuition from year 7 to twelve will cost parents a minimum of $43,140 in 2025.

Guardians who enrolled their children in 2024 were asked to pay $38,960 — $4180 less than the current costs.

New parents have been asked to pay $200 for the application process in addition to a

refundable bond of $500 per family.

Included in tuition fees is an IDP levy, which covers students’ devices with insurance, warranty, additional software and servicing.

In 2024, students at Ballarat Christian College obtained a median study score of 25.

The College was ranked 268th in the state for NAPLAN (4th in the region) with a year 9

average score of 567.8.

BALLARAT CLARENDON COLLEGE

The region’s highest ranking school in terms of VCE and NAPLAN results, will raise prices the least in 2025.

Setting parents back a minimum of $129,660 in 2025, Ballarat Clarendon College is the second most expensive independent school in the region.

With a 5.1 per cent increase, the school raised its tuition by $6300 from 2024.

For new students in years 7-9, school-owned laptops are required. These devices require a levy of $150 each term for three years. At the end of this period however, students will own the laptop.

A $150 registration fee is to be paid in addition to a confirmation deposit of $3000 ($2800 is

deducted in fee instalments).

Although prices remain high, Ballarat Clarendon is one of the highest performing schools in

Victoria.

For NAPLAN, the college was ranked as fifth in the state, with an average year 9 score of 670.8.

In 2024, almost half of the cohort achieved an ATAR over 90, placing them in the top 10 per cent of the state.

DAMASCUS COLLEGE

With a six year high school tuition costing parents $44,280, Damascus College remains one of the least expensive private schools in Ballarat.

Increasing prices by 6 per cent, the school added $2650 to their fees in 2025.

The tuition fee includes the cost of administration, subject levies, camps, excursions and

incidentals, however optional aspects of the College’s programs are not included.

An additional technology levy for students has been added in 2025. Students in years 8, 9, 11

and 12 will pay $320, while those in years 7 and 10 pay $420.

The school has been outperformed by other public schools in the region for NAPLAN.

With an average year 9 score of 550, Damascus College was ranked 387th in Victoria last year.

A median study score of 29 was obtained by students undertaking VCE in 2024.

LORETO COLLEGE

A high school education at Loreto College has increased by 13.34 per cent for kids starting year 7 in 2025, compared to those who started last year.

Schooling will set parents back almost $60,000 ($57,450 to be exact).

Included in those fees is a $650 technology levy, but an additional maintenance levy of $600 per family is also required.

Tuition fees cover costs relative to administration, subject levies, camps and excursions.

However optional aspects including music tuition, participation in the rowing program, optional camps and excursions are charged separately.

Additionally, a non-refundable application fee of $100 is required per child. If a child is accepted into the college, an additional payment of $300 must be made (non-refundable).

Obtaining an average study score of 31 for VCE students in 2024, Loreto College outperformed more expensive schools in the region.

Ranking 178th in the state (and third in the region) for NAPLAN, year 9 students achieved an average score of 582.4.

ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE

Parents starting their boys in year 7 can expect to pay upwards of $54,040 at St Patrick’s

College.

With an increase of 11.5 per cent (or $5600), this boys school is among the most expensive in the region.

Laptop levies of $500 are included in tuition fees along with additional resource fees.

A capital levy of $1,150 per family has remained unchanged from 2024.

Ranking 272nd in the state for NAPLAN, St. Patrick’s College was outperformed by cheaper

alternatives in 2024 — such as Ballarat Christian College.

For VCE results, the college holds an average study score of 28 for 2024.