Before COVID-19 lockdowns,state public schools were gaining an average income of $357 per student for fees,charges and parent contributions. That number has been considerably lower in the years after.
In some parts of Sydney,school fees have increased just 1 per cent. In others,the hikes are in the double digits.
Private school fees across Western Australia have jumped significantly over the past year.
The NSW education secretary asked schools to refrain from asking families to bring in school supplies such as tissues,wet wipes and whiteboard markers.
Six of Perth’s most prestigious schools will charge parents more than $30,000 annually.
New research shows school fees and a host of other major school expenses will increase by a staggering percentage within the next decade as living costs rise.
It costs half a million dollars to put a child through prep to year 12 at Victoria’s most expensive schools – and that’s not including uniforms and books.
The Scots College and SCEGGS Darlinghurst are among the schools charging the highest fees in 2024.
Critics say the fees are designed to stop parents “school shopping” by joining multiple waiting lists,but then withdrawing applications once a spot is secured at a preferred option or after being offered a selective school place.
Demand for scholarship spots at Sydney’s private schools is rising,with at least 20 institutions offering places in year 4 and 5 in a bid to lock in high achievers before they reach high school.
Sydney is the most costly city in Australia for private education,with extras like laptops,musical instruments and uniforms adding up to more than $5000.