Private Schools Cost in Canberra (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedPrivate school fees in Canberra vary widely by school and year level. As a practical guide, many Canberra independent schools charge roughly AUD 8,000 to AUD 35,000+ per year in tuition, with senior secondary years usually the most expensive; some official fee schedules are publicly available, while other figures are best treated as market estimates unless checked directly with the school.
Overview
In Canberra, the cost of private schooling depends mainly on the type of school (independent or Catholic systemic), the year level, and whether the student is domestic or international. Annual tuition is usually lower in primary school and rises through secondary school, particularly in Years 11 and 12. On top of tuition, families should budget for levies, building funds, uniforms, devices, excursions, camps and sometimes compulsory co-curricular charges. A useful local distinction is that not all non-government schools are priced alike. Catholic systemic schools in the ACT often sit at the more affordable end of the private-school market, while independent schools can range from mid-market to premium pricing. Boarding is not a major factor within Canberra itself for most families, but international-student fees may be materially higher where offered. Fee schedules are commonly published annually and can change each school year, so the most reliable approach is to confirm the current schedule on each school's official website before enrolling. For families comparing costs, it helps to separate tuition from total yearly outlay. Even where advertised tuition appears moderate, extras can add several thousand dollars a year depending on sport, music, technology requirements and camps. Because fee updates are typically annual, Canberra private school pricing should be treated as moderately volatile.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Canberra Grammar School tuition (Years 11–12 domestic day students)(per year) Official annual tuition fee schedule for domestic day students. Estimated range | ~A$34,410 – A$34,410 | Estimated range |
| Canberra Grammar School tuition (Kindergarten domestic day students)(per year) Official annual tuition fee schedule for domestic day students. Estimated range | ~A$24,060 – A$24,060 | Estimated range |
| Canberra Grammar School tuition (Years 11–12 international day students)(per year) Official annual tuition fee schedule for international day students. Estimated range | ~A$43,160 – A$43,160 | Estimated range |
| Merici College tuition (Year 7 domestic students)(per year) Official fee schedule; tuition component for Year 7. Verified from source | A$11,960 – A$11,960 | Verified from source |
| Canberra private school tuition typical range(per year) Estimated range based on typical annual tuition seen across Canberra Catholic and independent day schools, with lower fees generally in systemic Catholic schools and higher fees in premium independent schools. Estimated range | ~A$8,000 – A$35,000 | Estimated range |
| Additional annual school costs beyond tuition(per year) Estimated range for uniforms, devices, camps, excursions and activity charges at Canberra private schools; actual extras vary significantly by school and year level. Estimated range | ~A$1,500 – A$6,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Tuition is usually the headline fee
- Some schools charge separate application, enrolment or acceptance fees
- Uniforms, laptops or tablets, camps and excursions are often extra
- International student fees may differ from domestic fees
Regulator / licensing: ACT Education Directorate
Variants & Configurations
Duration
School fees are normally charged per academic year, often billed termly.
How Fees Work
Most Canberra private schools publish annual tuition by year level. Families may also pay one-off application or enrolment fees plus recurring extras such as building funds, uniforms, devices and camp charges.
Factors Affecting Price
- Year level, with senior secondary usually costing more than primary
- School type, especially Catholic systemic versus independent schools
- Domestic versus international student status
- Compulsory extras such as levies, technology, camps, uniforms and activities
- Whether the fee quoted is tuition only or includes additional charges
Local Context
Private school fees in Canberra are usually quoted in Australian dollars per year and are not subject to tipping. GST treatment can vary across education-related charges, but families should focus on the school's published fee schedule and separate extras, as total yearly costs can differ significantly between Catholic systemic and independent schools in the ACT.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in AUD and usually quoted as annual tuition unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Merici College Fees · provider
Official tuition example for a Canberra Catholic girls' college.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do private schools typically cost in Canberra?+
A realistic broad range is about AUD 8,000 to AUD 35,000+ per year for tuition, depending on the school and year level. Premium independent schools can sit near or above the top of that range, while lower-fee Catholic schools may be closer to the lower end.
Are Canberra Catholic schools considered private schools for fee purposes?+
Yes, families often group Catholic schools with private schools because they are non-government schools. However, their fee structures are commonly lower than many independent schools in Canberra.
Do private school fees in Canberra include everything?+
Usually not. Tuition is often separate from uniforms, technology, camps, excursions, music tuition, some sports and other levies.
Are international student fees higher in Canberra private schools?+
Often yes. Where schools enrol international students, published international tuition can be materially higher than domestic day-student fees.
Do school fees increase in higher year levels?+
Commonly yes. Many schools charge more for secondary school than primary school, and Years 11 and 12 are often the highest-priced stages.
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