How much does a public school education in Australia really cost?
According to a report released this week, the total cost of a government education will be $92,710 over 13 years for a child starting school this year – or $7,132 a year.
The report was based on a survey of 1,500 people and was prepared by Futurity Investment Group. Futurity is described on their website as “Australia’s leading issuer of tax-effective, life-event Education Bonds”, an investment designed to help people save for the cost of education.
However, analysis of actual school costs suggests the true cost could be much lower, with one education expert suggesting the data appeared to be “really inflated”.
As Futurity’s own report notes, the analysis includes “ancillary costs” such as the cost of voluntary services like private tutoring and private music lessons.
These ancillary costs make up the bulk of the total education cost estimate, with school fees representing 4% of the cost of education for a child starting a government education this year. For children starting at Catholic schools, fees make up 23%, and for those starting at independent schools, fees make up 55%.
Here’s the breakdown of costs that Futurity provided to Guardian Australia:
The two most expensive items – outside tuition and musical instruments – are optional. The third most expensive item, “electronic devices”, is listed as $771 a year – the equivalent of the cost of a medium-tier laptop every year over 13 years.
It is also not clear why the cost for transport is so high. Futurity’s report cites an average cost of $559 a year in Sydney. However, New South Wales school students are entitled to free public transport if they live further than walking distance from their school, and are entitled to subsidised public transport even if they live within a specified minimum distance.
It is also unclear what would be included in the “vocational” category, and if the “tuition fees” category differs from “outside tuition”.
There is also quite high variation in costs between cities, which may be due to small sample sizes at the capital city level. According to the data, parents in Melbourne pay $1,000 more than other capitals for “electives” and more for electronic devices than elsewhere.
Guardian Australia asked Futurity for more information about these categories and sample sizes, but the group did not provide any further detail. Guardian Australia also asked if it was misleading to include optional education costs in “the total cost of a government education”.
Futurity replied: “The index accurately reflects the feedback from Australian parents with children in school.
“It’s important to remember Futurity’s Investment in Education Index reflects the estimated total cost of education for a child starting school this year. In addition to school fees, typical ancillary costs, including outside tuition, software and electronic devices, uniforms, transport, sports equipment and musical instruments are also factored in.”
Futurity also provided further information about the survey methodology, but did not provide answers to specific questions.
How much do parents need to pay?
A professor in the school of education at RMIT, Dr Ange Fitzgerald, said the data appeared to be “really inflated”.
“I worked in the public school system as a principal and I know students can access their education for free – and good-quality education,” she said.
“Government schools have to cover anything to do with students learning within the cost of a school – they can advertise fees but parents don’t have to pay them.
“I don’t think we should be concerned [by the data]. I’m concerned about data like this making people concerned … it becomes its own energy.”
Fitzgerald said the Futurity figures “always surprised” her, pointing to the ancillary costs which were “individual family decisions” rather than a need.
“They’re lovely add-ons, but not a must-have,” she said.
Two of the ancillary costs – camps and excursions – she noted were important to a student’s social experience and personal growth. But she said many states and territories had funding schemes in place where families could access up to $300 for the activities.
“There’s mechanisms so students don’t miss out,” she said.
“Education is free and there’s no reason to pay. Principals and school leaders are working really hard to make sure there are holistic education programs kids can access within the budget.”
Of particular concern, Fitzgerald said, was the reported spending on outside tuition – outpacing school fees in some sectors including for Catholic schools.
“I’m really concerned about it, it’s a cycle we don’t want to get ourselves into,” she said. “Not just financially, but students don’t need to be going to school all day then continue outside.
“We should be valuing young people having free time and engaging with friends.”
So what is the actual cost to parents of kids attending public schools, without including tutoring, music lessons and other optional items?
The number can vary depending on the number of kids enrolled, schooling level, voluntary school fees and other contributions, school camp costs, and how much you are willing to spend on a computer or other devices.
Children’s education charity the Smith Family estimates annual primary school costs at about $2,300 a year – not including optional fees like tutoring, home computers and school photos.
Cost of school essentials remains too high for some families
Regardless of the number, there’s no doubt that additional costs associated with schools are too high for some families. The Smith Family interviewed about 2,200 families with disadvantaged children receiving support from the group.
The survey found 88% believed they wouldn’t be able to afford everything their children needed for school in 2024, including digital devices, internet access, uniforms and shoes. One in six (16%) believed their children would miss out on internet access needed for schoolwork.
Its chief executive, Doug Taylor, said back-to-school costs added up for vulnerable families – particularly while managing household expenses like rent, petrol and bills.
“The families we support make impossible decisions every day about how to prioritise the limited resources they have,” he said.
“The cost of these essentials have all risen rapidly, meaning educational essentials like uniforms, books, a laptop and the internet are increasingly hard to afford.”
