[flighty]

Are private schools popular in Australia? Do they offer a significantly better education than the state schools, in other words, are they worth the money? What are typical fees for primary schools and secondary schools? Thanks.

[PamInPerth]

You would need to budget between $10,000 to $20,000 a year for school fees. Also bear in mind that many private schools are over subscribed and have long waiting lists so it may not be as simple as turning up and getting a place.

I'll see if I can find some concrete examples of fees for you.

Whereabouts in Australia are you planning to settle?

Private schools generally achieve better results than the state schools - though some state schools have an excellent reputation and get great results. State schools usually have catchment areas and as long as you live in that area your child will automatically qualify for a place.

[PamInPerth]

I'm not sure if you are planning to settle in Perth but this website will give you lots of information about private schools in WA, http://www.ais.wa.edu.au/search-school/index.cfm. If you click on the individual school then you get a more detailed page and school fees are listed at the bottom for each school.

Most private schools also have their own websites too.

[FamousFive]

Interesting piece in Melbourne's newspaper today about school fees:

Elite schools will charge parents more than $21,000 for a year 12 student in 2010. Geelong Grammar, for example, will charge $27,700 (up 5.5 per cent); Lauriston Girls' School, $22,960 (up 4.5 per cent); Scotch College, $22,572 (up 4.8 per cent); and Haileybury, $21,955 (up 4 per cent).

At Scotch College the cost of educating a prep child will rise 4.8 per cent to $18,102, while at Methodist Ladies' College year 12 fees will increase 7.5 per cent, to $20,115.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/private-school-fees-race-ahead-of-inflation-20100106-lubx.html

[Cliff]

School fees in Brisbane are rising too:

Parents could spend more than $5800 a year sending their teenager to a Queensland state high school, according to new estimates.

The bill jumps to about $17,000 a year for private high schooling. Fees at Churchie and Brisbane Girls' Grammar School have gone up by 8 per cent to $15,272 and $16,180 respectively. Moreton Bay College has lifted its fees 10 per cent to $11,500.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26560594-3102,00.html

[Martha]

I know you were enquiring about primary and secondary schools but I'd just like to add about the waiting lists for preschools. The best time to put your preschoolers name on a waiting list is when you are pregnant. Otherwise you may not get the child in to the preschool of your choice and have to use babysitters or a preschool with a lesser rating, which could also be an hour or more out of your way if you live in Sydney.

[PamInPerth]

Parents could spend more than $5800 a year sending their teenager to a Queensland state high school, according to new estimates.



Seems a very high figure for state high school fees - $1000 is a more average figure for costs, certainly in WA.

[Housewife]

Seems a very high figure for state high school fees - $1000 is a more average figure for costs, certainly in WA.

I agree, don't know where $5,800 comes from - was the article including school trips abroad!!

[Maguire]

I would say that yes, going to a private school is worth it. Chirchy and Nudgee College are both good boarding/day Boy schools St. Margrets is a good girls school. for them you would need a budget of around about 10-30k Per year. Plus trips overseas that the students will be making. Depending on what subjects they are doing this could be quite often.

Don't forget that if you send you child boarding then during the holidays they will often wish to travel abroad or interstate to see friends.

Private schools are worth it because of the Sport and wide curricular that public schools in Australia simply don't offer.

[fran]

It's not always easy to enrol your child in a private school - there can be a long waiting list. It's best to plan ahead, decide on a school and put their names down as soon as you can. For good state schools, mostly to enrol you would need to live in the catchment area.

[Thongs of Praise]

Are private schools popular in Australia? Do they offer a significantly better education than the state schools, in other words, are they worth the money?

In the main, they do offer a better education than the state schools. The top notch state schools do offer a very good education though. Usually you need to pay a hefty premium to get in the neighbourhoods where you've got the right to send your children to these schools. You pays your money...

[Martha]

Some of the private schools have a bursary program on offer as well, so if you are sincerely in need for your child to attend a certain school - Performing Arts, Religious etc. then you will need to consult with the principal and get them on side. (bursary or not).