Every figure below comes from a school's own published fee schedule for 2026, not an estimate or a survey. 1,016 non-government schools, 8,453 year-level rows. Medians by state, sector and year level, the shape of the distribution, and what sits at the top of the market.
Updated 23 July 2026
Less than the headlines suggest for most families. Across 1,016 non-government schools with published 2026 fee schedules, the median Year 7 day tuition is $10,052 at Independent schools and $5,150 at Catholic schools, and 60% of schools charge under $10,000 at Year 7.
The ACT has the highest median Year 7 fee ($14,264), followed by Victoria ($10,056). Queensland and Tasmania have the lowest medians, helped by large low-fee Catholic systems.
Among published 2026 schedules, the highest Year 12 day tuition is $52,470 (Cranbrook School). 25 schools charge $40,000 or more at Year 12.
Almost always. At schools publishing both figures, Year 12 tuition is a median 1.57 times the Year 1 fee at the same school, a median step-up of $4,070 a year.
Usually. 660 schools separately publish compulsory levies (building funds, technology and capital charges) with a median of $1,185 a year on top of tuition, and uniforms, camps and devices add more.