Research reveals Melbourne is Australia’s most expensive city for both a government and independent education.
Exclusive new research has revealed the total cost of a government, Catholic, and independent education in Melbourne are all above the national average, with the Victorian capital home to Australia’s most expensive government and independent education. The Futurity Investment Group Cost of Education Index 2026 forecasts the total cost of a government education in Melbourne will be $121,202 over 13 years for a child starting school in 2026, a six per cent increase compared to 2025.
Government education costs in Melbourne
The total cost of a government education in Melbourne is seven per cent above the national average ($113,594) and considerably more expensive than Perth ($102,600), and Sydney ($106,567), Australia’s most affordable cities for a government education.
School fees/voluntary contributions ($694) will make up just 13 per cent of the total cost of a government education for a child starting school in Melbourne in 2026, with the remainder spent on ancillary expenses including outside tuition and coaching ($1031), transport ($393), school camps ($372), and uniforms ($265).The research, commissioned by Futurity, is based on the feedback of 2500 parents with school-aged children, and independent Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) data. Additional ancillary cost options including before- and after-school care, school clubs, and fundraising donations were included in the 2026 index to provide an even more accurate total cost of education projection.
Independent education costs in Melbourne
The Cost of Education Index 2026 found Melbourne is also Australia’s most expensive city for an independent education. The research discovered the total cost of an independent education in Melbourne has increased 12 per cent in the past year to $435,902.
The total cost of an independent education in Melbourne over 13 years for a child starting school this year is 18 per cent above the national average ($369,594), and considerably more expensive than Adelaide ($304,997) and Canberra ($322,939), Australia’s most affordable cities for an independent education.
School fees ($12,265) will make up 65 per cent of the total cost of an independent education for a child starting school in Melbourne in 2026, with the remainder spent on ancillary expenses including school camps ($1158), outside tuition and coaching ($1139), transport ($890), and musical instruments ($838).
Catholic education costs in Melbourne
The index also found that the total cost of a Catholic education in Melbourne has jumped 25 per cent in the past year to $247,999. The total cost of a Catholic education over 13 years for a child starting school in 2026 in Melbourne is $825 above the national average ($247,174) and considerably more expensive than Canberra ($211,493), and Sydney ($223,919), Australia’s most affordable cities for a Catholic education.
School fees ($2622) will make up 40 per cent of the total cost of a Catholic education for a child starting school in Melbourne in 2026, with the remainder spent on ancillary expenses including electives ($2270), musical instruments ($951), outside tuition and coaching ($725), and transport ($617).
Education costs in regional and remote Victoria
The Cost of Education Index 2026 also calculated the total cost of education in regional and remote areas for a child starting school in 2026 and found Victoria is one of Australia’s most expensive regions for a non-metropolitan government and independent education.
It is forecast the total cost of a government education in regional and remote Victoria will be $103,629 over 13 years for a child starting school in 2026, a 33 per cent increase compared to 2025.
The total cost of a government education in non-metropolitan Victoria is three per cent above the national average ($100,395). School fees/voluntary contributions will make up just seven per cent of the total cost of a government education in regional and remote Victoria, with the remainder spent on ancillary expenses.
Non-metropolitan Victorian parents are forecast to spend almost three times more on outside tuition and coaching ($1033) than school fees/voluntary contributions ($370) in 2026, with transport ($393), musical instruments ($341), school uniforms ($265), and sports equipment ($212) all adding to the total cost.
The index also revealed the total cost of an independent education in regional and remote Victoria is 10 per cent above the national average. It is forecast the total cost of an independent education in regional and remote Victoria will be $245,793 over 13 years for a child starting school in 2026, a one per cent decrease compared to 2025.
School fees ($4920) will make up 45 per cent of the total cost of an independent education for a child starting school in non-metropolitan Victoria in 2026, with the remainder spent on ancillary expenses including school camps ($1138), outside tuition and coaching ($1119), transport ($875), and musical instruments ($823).
The index also found the total cost of a Catholic education in regional and remote Victoria has jumped 43 per cent in the past year. It is forecast the total cost of a Catholic education in regional and remote Victoria will be $216,975 over 13 years for a child starting school in 2026, three per cent below the national average ($223,874).
School fees ($1859) will make up 31 per cent of the total cost, with the majority spent on ancillary expenses including electives ($1840), musical instruments ($771), outside tuition and coaching ($588), and school uniforms ($270).
Under pressure: cost-of-living pressures also impact education
Futurity Investment Group’s Sarah McAdie says the costs associated with education are placing a significant burden on many Australian families. “An astonishing 45 per cent of parents reported they are having fewer children because of the cost of raising a child,” Sarah says. “Escalating cost of living, rent and mortgage repayment pressures mean many households are stretched to breaking point. The majority of parents (57 per cent) rely of the support of others to pay for their child’s education, including grandparents.
“Futurity’s Cost of Education Index 2026 revealed 71 per cent of parents have reduced their ancillary spending in the past year by purchasing second-hand uniforms or sports kits and extending the life of laptops and other technology.
“Parents who have planned and saved for education will be in a better position in the long run and will have the opportunity to explore and afford choice when it comes to their child’s education.”
Total estimated cost of education for a child starting school in 2026*
*Estimates of future long-term education costs projected over a 13-year period are provided as a guide only and are population weighted. Being estimates, the actual cost of education for a particular child or school sector or period cannot be guaranteed.
Futurity Investment Group’s Cost of Education Index 2026 discovered:
Government (nationally)
Catholic (nationally)
Independent (nationally)
Source: Futurity Investment Group’s Cost of Education Index 2026