Pulteney Grammar hikes Year 12 school fees to more than $33,000
A top Adelaide private school’s fees have soared to more than $33,000 with an increase greater than inflation, making it the second most expensive college in the state.
An elite Adelaide private school has raised its costs for year 12 to more than $33,000 with a fee increase greater than inflation.
Co-ed Pulteney Grammar School has advised its community of a 5.5 per cent fee increase for year 12 in 2026, to $33,074, making it the second most expensive college in the state.
The same fee also applies for students in years 10 and 11.
In a letter notifying the school community about the fee increase, Pulteney Grammar principal Greg Atterton said the board of the South Tce school considered “rising costs across staffing, facilities, ICT infrastructure and co-curricular programs”.
“The board is mindful of the financial pressures on our community and has strived to keep this increase as low as possible,” Mr Atterton said.
“Our commitment remains to provide an education where every student is known, challenged and supported; and to sustain high standards of learning, wellbeing and opportunity.
“Each year, the board of governors carefully reviews the school’s fee structure to ensure it continues to balance affordability for families with the resources required to uphold this commitment.”
The “measured adjustment”, Mr Atterton said, ensured the school could “continue to invest wisely in our people, programs and facilities while safeguarding the school’s long-term sustainability”.
The increase came after “a year marked by academic excellence, personal growth and community connection”.
St John’s Grammar, in Belair, also revealed its 2026 fees, with an increase of about 5.7 per cent.
Next year, parents at the school will pay $22,385 for years 10 to 12.
Other schools to release their fee schedule include Immanuel College ($25,020), Loreto College Marryatville ($22,845) and Saint Ignatius’ College ($22,483).
The school with the greatest percentage increase to be released so far is St Mary’s College.
Year 12 tuition there will cost $11,525 next year, up 8.7 per cent from the $10,600 it charged in 2024.
That followed a 8.1 per cent rise the previous year.
Pembroke School, which is currently the most expensive in the state, is among the top schools still to release new fees schedules.
The Kensington Park institution overtook St Peter’s College as Adelaide’s most expensive private school in 2024.
This year Pembroke School charged $33,120 for year 12.
About 54,000 students are enrolled in independent schools across the state.
The Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) says about 70 per cent of an independent school’s income is allocated to staffing costs.
About 52,000 students are enrolled at 101 schools under Catholic Education SA (CESA).
CESA has frozen fees at the majority of campuses for the past four years.
Originally published as Pulteney Grammar hikes Year 12 school fees to more than $33,000
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