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Tuition Costs

tuition-costsCompared to other countries like the United States or the UK, tuition fees tend to be longer in Australia. However, the strong Australian dollar over the last few years has increased costs. In addition, you must factor in the high cost of living in this country. In this section, we will explain tuition structures for both Australians and international students.

Public primary & high school

Most Australians attend public high schools. These are fully funded by the government, and student fees are only charged for extra-curricular activities like field trips (not actual tuition). Many schools have fundraising events to increase revenue.


Private primary & high school

While the government subsidises private schools, known as independent schools, students must pay additional fees. Because private schools are considered better than public schools, parents see these extra fees as an investment.

To send your child to a primary private school costs approximately $2,000-$3,000 per year, while high school ranges between $18,000-$30,000. For some reason, boy’s schools tend to cost more than girls or mixed schools. To board/live at the school will add an additional $20,000 or so.

Non-residents of Australia should add about 30% to the cost of private education.

Catholic schools

Catholic schools are a hybrid between public and private, with the government covering 87% of costs.  Primary school fees run at about 1,000, while high school costs about $2,000 per year.

Higher Education

Australian higher education tuition depends on the program studied, and the type of institution.

The fees also depend on whether you are studying as a Commonwealth supported student (subsidised) or fee-paying student (not subsidised). International students are not subsidised, thus the fees are much higher.

Commonwealth supported students are those who are in an undergraduate program which is highly subsidised by the government. Depending on the program, course fees range from $4,000 $8,000 per year.

International students can expect to pay up to $35,000/year to study at a public university, or as little as $12,000/year at private colleges offering Bachelor and Masters qualifications. If you are an international student, you can get help here.


Unfortunately, international students cannot apply for a student loan in Australia.