Parents are choosing independent schools even as fees rise

Amid the cost of living crisis, parents are increasingly choosing to send their kids to independent schools. See how fees have changed across 28 leading schools in south east Australia.

Rising private school fees are not deterring parents from choosing independent schools, with enrolments growing despite the increasing hit to families’ hip pockets.

An analysis of 28 leading independent and Catholic secondary schools in southeast Australia by The Weekly Times found that boarding and tuition fees for Year 12 students have increased an average of 5.1 per cent from 2024 to 2025.

This follows a 5.26 per cent increase from 2023 to 2024.

In 2023 the number of enrolments in independent schools grew 3.8 per cent according to Independent Schools Australia and, while 2024 results are not yet out, ISA chief executive Graham Catt said the trend was certainly continuing.

“Independent schools continue to be incredibly diverse. And in that diversity, the very strong feedback from parents is that they can find a school that is the best fit for their child,” he said.

“A large part of growth comes from that alignment in values, and obviously parents are choosing schools based on academic outcomes.

“But the other thing we’re seeing change is the increase in kids managing issues like anxiety. We’re seeing increases in the number of children with ADHD for example, who might need some additional support, and who might not fit so easily into mainstream schooling.”

Among the list of 28, the median cost for year 12 tuition and boarding was $66,700, up from $62,289 last year.

The most expensive school on the list was again Geelong Grammar at $88,500 for the annual fee, while Xavier College had the biggest rise of 9.1 per cent.

Caulfield Grammar School and Prince Aldred College were the only two schools of the 28 to have decreased their Year 12 prices, down 1.9 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.

While fees have mostly increased across the board, Mr Catt said the median school fee for independent schools sits under $6000 a year, and “that surprises people”.

“It’s somewhat at odds with some of the perceptions people have. About 60 per cent of parents who choose independent schools are actually low to middle income earners,” he said.

“But if you have two or three children attending an independent school, that’s a significant part of the family budget. (Families) are genuinely making sacrifices so that they can continue to attend that school of their choice.

“We know families are very consciously prioritising their child’s education, and really, really believe in the school of their choice, but more parents are finding it challenging to actually support their choices as cost of living increases.”

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