The Futurity Investment Group Cost of Education Index estimates the total cost of a government school education in Sydney will be $150,323 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a 59 per cent increase compared to last year.

The total cost of a government education in the NSW capital is 22 per cent above the national average ($123,294) and $28,217 more expensive than Perth ($122,106), Australia’s second most expensive city for a Government education.

School fees/voluntary contributions ($386) will make up just 5 per cent of the total cost of a Government education for a child starting school in Sydney this year, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs including electronic devices ($1134) outside tuition and coaching ($1040), school uniforms ($506) and sports equipment ($476).

The Cost of Education data is the combination of an online survey involving 2385 Australian parents and school income data reported by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

School income per student data from fees, charges and parent contributions have been used as an estimate of tuition fee/parent contribution, while average school income per student from fees, charges and parent contributions have been reported by state, school sector, school level, and school location/remoteness.

The research, conducted by McCrindle and commissioned by Futurity Investment Group, revealed that Canberra is Australia’s most expensive city for a Catholic education.

It is forecast the total cost of a Catholic education in Canberra will be $215,633 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a 3 per cent increase compared to last year.

The total cost of a Catholic education in Australia’s capital is 11 per cent above the national average ($193,666) and considerably more expensive than Melbourne ($198,291) and Sydney ($197,349).

School fees ($3334) will make up 46 per cent of the total cost of a Catholic education for a child starting school in Canberra this year, with the remainder spent on ancillary expenses including outside tuition and coaching ($1234), electronic devices ($833), school excursions ($607) and school uniforms ($325).

The Index found that Sydney is also the most expensive city in the country for an independent school education.

It is estimated the total cost of an independent education in the Harbour City will be $411,108 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a jump of 9 per cent compared to last year.

The total cost of an independent education in the New South Wales capital is 17 per cent above the national average ($350,158) and well ahead of Melbourne ($388,618) and Brisbane ($369,646).

The Index calculated school fees ($9838) will make up 55 per cent of the total cost of an Independent education for a child starting school in Sydney in 2025, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs, including outside tuition and coaching ($2512), musical instruments ($1467), electronic devices ($1099) and school excursions ($875).

Futurity Investment Group’s Sarah McAdie said the costs associated with education are placing a substantial burden on many Australian families.

“Spiralling cost of living, rent and mortgage repayment pressures mean many households are under considerable pressure,” McAdie said.

“With less discretionary money to spend, it is going to be a challenge for many families to pay for education, including school fees and voluntary contributions, which have all increased in the past year.

McAdie explained that despite the growing costs, education remains a priority for parents.

“The research shows they are finding ways to reduce their spending where possible,” she said.

“Ancillary spending is down compared to last year, with parents cutting back on outside tuition and coaching, musical instruments and electives.

“A growing proportion of parents are also choosing to delay an education opportunity for their child.

McAdie said parents who have planned and saved for education will be in a better position in the long run and will have the opportunity to explore and afford choice when it comes to their children’s education.

The Index calculated the total cost of education in regional and remote areas for a child starting school this year and found Queensland to be the most expensive state for a non-metro Government education.

It is forecast the total cost of a Government education in regional and remote Queensland will be $90,267 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2025, a 24 per cent increase compared to last year.

The total cost of a Government education in non-metro Queensland is 11 per cent above the national average ($81,141).

School fees / voluntary contributions will make up just 6 per cent of the total cost of a Government education in regional and remote Queensland, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs.

Futurity Investment Group chief executive Sarah McAdie says with less discretionary money to spend, it is going to be a challenge for many families to pay for education, including school fees and voluntary contributions, which have all increased in the past year.

Non-metro Queensland parents are forecast to spend almost 10 times more on electronic devices ($1553) than school fees / voluntary contributions ($160) this year, with vocational education ($624), transport ($407) and sports equipment ($217) all adding to the total cost.

The Index also discovered Queensland is Australia’s most expensive state for a non-metro Catholic education.

It is estimated the total cost of a Catholic education in regional and remote Queensland will be $157,805, a 4 per cent decrease compared to 2024.

The total cost of a Catholic education in non-metro Queensland is 3 per cent above the national average ($153,144), with school fees ($2371) making up 39 per cent of the total cost, with the majority spent on ancillary expenses including outside tuition and coaching ($1234), electronic devices ($701) and electives ($618).

Western Australia is the nation’s most expensive state for a non-metro independent education, according to the research.

It is forecast the total cost of an independent education in regional and remote Western Australia will be $277,862, a 32 per cent increase compared to last year.

The total cost of an Independent education in non-metro Western Australia is 14 per cent above the national average ($244,075).

School fees ($4176) will make up 45 per cent of the total cost of an independent education in regional and remote Western Australia, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs including outside tuition and coaching ($1831), transport ($1062) and electronic devices ($878).

* Futurity Investment Group is a financial services organisation which provides solutions to help their clients fund life-long education.