School fees are rising, and so are parent expectations.
Our latest research, the School Fees in Australia: 2025 Report, developed in partnership with McCrindle and supported by NAB, Edified and FACTS, reveals that parents are calling for more transparency, flexibility, and digital convenience when it comes to understanding and paying school fees.
Rising fees, rising expectations
Between 2024 and 2025, school fees increased by an average of 6%, with the annual cost now averaging $10,196 per child—and $13,500 by Year 12. For the average family, that adds up to around $14,265 a year.
It’s no surprise then that families are placing even greater importance on knowing the full cost of schooling upfront. In fact, 92% of parents say transparency is extremely important when choosing a school—making it second only to a school’s values and culture.
Yet the report also shows that more than three in five parents have had a negative perception of a school after being hit with unexpected fees, while 73% said they had been surprised by extras like levies or enrolment charges.
Digital-first parents
The research also highlights the changing expectations of a new generation of parents. With Gen Z parents now entering the system, digital-first solutions are no longer a “nice-to-have” but an expectation.
- 56% of parents say online fee calculators are very important when researching schools
- 77% would be more likely to consider a school if all fees were clearly listed online
- 82% believe access to accurate, up-to-date fee information is essential
Tools like the Feesable Fee Calculator are already helping families plan with confidence while enabling schools to build trust and strengthen enrolment pipelines. In the past year alone, over 36,000 families used the calculator, generating more than 13,000 enrolment conversations with schools.
“This research highlights a clear shift in parent expectations, which are increasingly influenced by the demands of a time-poor world. Today’s parents expect clear, accessible, and convenient digital solutions that simplify life’s complex decisions.”
Grant Dusting, Social Researcher and Director of Strategy at McCrindle.
Why this matters for schools
As fees continue to rise, schools that prioritise clarity, accessibility, and innovation in fee communication will be best positioned to meet parents’ expectations and maintain strong enrolments.
The School Fees in Australia: 2025 Report provides schools with fresh data and insights into what families are really thinking, and practical direction for how to respond.
Download your free copy of the report here
If you’d like to explore how these insights can be put into practice—whether through more transparent fee communication, flexible payment options, or digital tools that simplify the parent experience—we’d love to start that conversation with you – get in touch.
Special thanks to our report partners: