Looking at the breakdown, school fees are only a small proportion of what makes up the full cost of education in Western Australia as you need to take expenses into account such as levies, uniforms, technology, textbooks, excursions and camps and transport.

One of the most prevalent barrier to parents’ choice of high schools for their child is cost. Once enrolled, the cost of schooling represents a substantial household expense.

With the right financial strategies and plan in place, reaching your goals may not be as hard as you may think

Contrary to the popular belief that Government schools are free, parents are expected to pay a voluntary financial contribution . The reasoning is that while administration of the standard curriculum program is free, schools can charge parents for ‘essential education items’ and ‘optional extras’.

 
Regardless of school type, the cost of education includes more than just fees and parent contributions. In fact, for parents sending their children to Government schools, these fees may constitute a relatively small portion with other ancillary costs really adding up. Many times, this comes as a “cost shock” for families entering the public schooling system for the first time.
 
For instance, our research shows that for a child starting Government primary school this year, will cost the following:

• School fees: $169

• Ancillary costs such as uniforms, outside tuition and electronic devices: $4,878

For families sending a child to an Independent primary school in Perth this year will pay a total of $12,026 in tuition and ancillary fees such as textbooks, technology devices, unforms and excursions. The ancillary fees account for 46% of the total cost of education.

For families with children in the Perth Catholic primary system, our research estimates the ancillary cost will account for 75% of the total cost of education this year. The tuition fee alone is $2,527 and the ancillary fees will be $7,778.
 

The annual cost of schooling changes over the course of a13-year school period. Secondary school fees are generally higher than for primary. Spending on older children for school camps and items such as sports equipment and musical instruments tends to increase for many.

 
Having a fuller picture of the cost of education and planning ahead can help to avoid, or at least cushion against, nasty surprises.
 
Confidence starts with preparation

The best way to take control of your child’s future is to plan and save to meet future education costs.

Parents who have planned and saved for education will be in a better position in the long run and will be able to explore and afford choice when it comes to their children’s education.

Dedicated education savings and investment products, like Futurity Investment Group’s Education Bonds, can help address the great education funding challenge.

Futurity’s range of Education Bonds allow parents and grandparents to tax-effectively save and invest to accumulate the funding to support their family’s life-long education objectives.

About the research quoted

Data collection for the Futurity Investment Group Cost of Education Index was undertaken by McCrindle.

The Index is a collection of quantitative data collected in an online survey. The survey was sent to 1,525 Australian parents with children in school and had quotas set for a proportionate sample of across the states and territories and school stage (primary or secondary).

Discover more about the Cost of Education in Western Australia

*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 particular period cannot be guaranteed.

Further information about the research methodology, assumptions, and results can be accessed here.