Australian Parents Face Rising Education Costs Across Public and Private Schools

New research highlights the financial burden of school expenses, with significant cost variations between states and school types.

Parents in Australia collectively spend $23.5 billion annually on education-related expenses, with costs rising across public and private schools.
In Brisbane, the total cost of a 13-year public education is estimated at $101,064, while private schooling can exceed $369,000 depending on the institution.
WA saw a sharp increase in education costs, with independent schooling costs rising by 33% over last year's predictions, though the state remains the most affordable for private education nationally.
Hidden and ancillary costs, including uniforms, technology, excursions, and extracurricular activities, are adding significant financial pressure on families, averaging $1555 per public school student annually.
Rising costs are leading to increased stress among parents, with younger parents and those in high-cost states like Queensland reporting the highest levels of financial anxiety.