Sydney has emerged as the most expensive city in Australia for education in 2025, according to Futurity Investment Group’s Cost of Education Index. The report highlighted significant increases in the costs of Government, Catholic, and independent schooling across the nation, with expenses reaching tens of thousands of dollars for a child’s 13-year education journey.
For Government schools, Sydney is the costliest at $150,323 over 13 years, reflecting a 59% increase from 2024. This amount is 22% above the national metropolitan average of $123,294. By comparison, Brisbane offers the most affordable metropolitan Government education at $101,064, albeit up 19% from last year.
Catholic education expenses are highest in Canberra, where parents face an estimated $215,633 for a child starting in 2025. This figure is 11% above the national average of $193,666. Adelaide stands out as the least expensive city for Catholic education at $185,548, representing a 6% decrease from 2024.
For independent schools, Sydney leads again, with costs forecast at $411,108, up 9% from last year. Perth ranks as the most affordable city for this sector, with expenses at $300,109 .
Regional and remote variations
Outside metropolitan areas, education costs also show notable trends. Queensland is the most expensive state for regional Government schooling, with costs reaching $90,267, 11% above the national regional average. Regional Western Australia has the priciest independent education at $277,862, a 32% rise from 2024.
Source: Futurity Investment Group
Breakdown of costs
The report reveals that ancillary expenses, including electronics, coaching, uniforms, and transportation, make up a significant portion of education costs across all sectors. For instance, only 8% of Government school costs stem from fees, with 92% attributed to other expenses.
For Catholic schools, fees account for 39% of costs, while independent schools see fees comprising 56% of total expenses. The remaining amounts cover additional requirements like musical instruments, excursions, and elective classes.
Financial impact
The escalating costs are placing a strain on families, Sarah McAdie of Futurity Investment Group highlighted. “Spiraling cost of living, rent, and mortgage repayment pressures mean many households are under considerable pressure,” she 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.”
Despite this, education remains a priority, with many parents adjusting spending habits or delaying educational opportunities, McAdie noted.
The Cost of Education Index was developed using data from an online survey of 2,385 parents and school income reports from the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. These findings underscore the challenges parents face and the need for strategic financial preparation.