Perth pays for private school

Perth is among the country’s most expensive cities for private schooling but one of the most affordable for independent education, a report shows.

Data from Futurity Investment Group (FIG) published this morning has estimated the total cost to send a child to a government school in any of the national capital cities from 2024 as $92,710, compared to $87,538 estimated for a child starting school in 2023.

FIG’s Investment in Education Index estimated the total cost of education for a child starting Catholic school in any of the country’s capitals in 2024 as $195,074. The figure is $300,233 for independent schooling.

The index shows the total estimated cost of education for a child starting in public school in Perth is $90,785, up from the $85,701 estimated for a 2023 start.

A 13-year education at a Catholic school in Perth has been estimated at $202,286 compared to the $191,397 last year, while total estimated cost of education for independent schooling is $225,728, up from $213,889 in 2023.

Perth is the third most expensive city for Catholic education, trailing behind Melbourne and Sydney at $108,879 and $94,819, respectively, and behind the national metro average estimate of $92,710.

However, FIG found that Perth remained the most affordable Australian capital city for an independent education.

“The Futurity Investment Group Investment in Education Index estimates the total cost of an Independent education in Perth will be $225,728 over 13 years for a child starting school in 2024, an increase of $11,839 compared to last year,” the group said.

“The total cost of an independent education in the Western Australia capital is 29 per cent below the national average ($316,944) and considerably cheaper than Sydney ($377,993) and Melbourne ($324,559), Australia’s most expensive cities for an independent education.

“[Annual] school fees ($6,818) are forecast to be the most expensive component of an independent education for a child starting school in Perth this year, well ahead of outside tuition ($1,873), transport ($793) and musical instruments ($636).”

Futurity Investment Group chief executive Sam Sondhi said households were already stretched by the spiralling cost of living and interest rate pressures.

“With less discretionary money to spend, it’s going to be a challenge for many families to pay for the total cost of education, which has jumped 6 per cent in the past year,” he said.

“It’s forecast school fees and a host of major school expenses including outside tuition, school camps, transport, uniforms, electronic devices and sports equipment will increase upwards of 14 per cent in the next five years, and by almost 30 per cent in the next decade.

“Parents who have planned and saved for education will be in a better position in the long run and will be able to explore and afford choice when it comes to their children’s education.”

FIG’s sampled 1,525 Australian parents for its index.

According to the WA Department of Education, there are 1,143 schools in the state, 829 of them public.