Full private school uniform costs revealed: Scotch College tops list of most expensive

One of Adelaide’s top private schools has revamped its uniform and parents are set to save but most will be lucky to have change from $1000. See the price tags.

One of Adelaide’s top private schools has revamped its uniform and parents are set to save.

Prestigious boys school Christian Brothers College has decided to scrap mandatory summer and winter clothing, meaning parents will have fewer items to pay for this year.

It comes as analysis by The Advertiser found parents of Scotch College students are paying the most for a uniform at more than $1400 for girls.

At the other end of the spectrum a handful of schools offered a complete wardrobe for less than $700.

The most affordable was a boys uniform at Samaritan College in Whyalla which came in at $532.

At Christian Brothers College, in the Adelaide CBD, a full boys uniform, including sports clothing, costs $1011.

Principal David Johnston said, following a change announced last year, students would now be able to wear any item – such as shorts or long pants – “all year round”.

The all-boys uniform design and colour has also been simplified.

Mr Johnston said the change, made after surveying parents, should help ease cost-of-living pressures for families.

“We work hard to maintain prices as low as we can for our community,” he said.

Students will have a two-year grace period to wear the old uniform before the new items are made mandatory.

Melissa Jones, whose 11-year-old son Teague will start Year 7 at the college next week, said the uniform change would mean “a little bit of cost saving for parents”.

“If boys prefer the short sleeve shirt they can wear that all year round and they don’t have to wear the long sleeve,” the 50-year-old from Tea Tree Gully said.

“It’s a big layout at the beginning but they wear that every day for two or three years so you really get your money’s worth.”

SACE RESULTS: SEE HOW YOUR SCHOOL STACKS UP

Melissa Jones with 11-year-old son Teague who will soon start high school at Christian Brothers Colleague. Picture: Keryn Stevens

After revealing the state’s most expensive and cheapest private schools, for 2024, The Advertiser analysed uniform prices at 19 independent and Catholic Schools across SA.

Costs at all schools were higher for girls once dress and skirt prices were included.

The bill at some campuses was particularly low because students were not made to wear formal blazers, which were consistently the most expensive item in uniform catalogues.

Some schools offered optional extras which enable students to show their school pride, including underwear in the school green of Mercedes College.

UNI GUIDE: THE ATAR YOU NEED TO GET INTO YOUR DREAM COURSE

The price analysis was based on the cost of a summer and winter uniform, and sports uniform, for male and female students.

Common items included in the analysis were girls dresses and skirts, shirts and shorts or trousers for both boys and girls, as well as a tie, jumper and blazer.

Most total costs also covered a school bag, hat and sports clothes including shorts, trackpants, polo shirts and jackets.

Prices were based on senior school uniforms and the largest sizes available.

After Scotch College, parents at Concordia College are paying the highest price for a girl’s uniform ($1388), followed by St Aloysius College ($1337).

The most expensive boys uniform was also at Scotch College, at about $1200, followed by Rostrevor College ($1167).

There were seven schools with boys uniforms under $1000 including Tenison Woods College, Sacred Heart College and Blackfriars Priory School.

Samaritan College and Tenison Woods College were the only schools selling a girls uniform costing less than $1000.

St Peter’s Boys and Girls Colleges, Pembroke School and Loreto College were among schools which did not provide a uniform list.

Spokeswomen for Pulteney Grammar School and Walford Anglican School for Girls said they were reviewing their uniforms and did not provide current pricing.

Originally published as Full private school uniform costs revealed: Scotch College tops list of most expensive