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Education and Investment
Cost of education for children starting school in 2030
Welcoming a child into your family is an exciting time, and there are so many special milestones to look forward to. First smile, first tooth, first steps, first day of pre-school and then the first day of school. Choosing a school for your child is a big decision and one driven by a number of factors. Recent research commissioned by Futurity Investment Group found the top considerations of parents when choosing a school were teacher quality (27%), a holistic approach to education (16%) and an innovative approach to education (14%). However, the research also revealed the biggest barrier preventing parents from sending their child to their preferred school was cost (26% of parent surveyed).
What will education cost in 2030?
Exclusive new research estimates the total cost of education in Australia will increase by 13% in the next five years, and by almost 30% by 2035.
Independent
The total cost of an Independent education in Australia over 13-years for a child born this year and starting school in 2030 is estimated to be $396,810, a $46,652 jump compared to 2025. ($350,158).
School fees ($9,889) are estimated to make up 47% of the total cost of an Independent education for a child born this year, with the remainder spent on ancillary expenses including sport, music, art ($3,472), outside tuition ($2,091), electronic devices ($1,773) and uniforms, textbooks, stationary ($1,549).
Catholic
It is estimated the average total cost of a Catholic education in Australia will be $219,393 over 13-years for a child starting school in 2030, a $25,727 increase compared to this year.
The research estimates school fees ($3,292) will make up 27% of the total cost of a Catholic education for a child born this year, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs including sport, music and art ($3,070), uniforms, textbooks, stationary ($1,783), electronic devices ($1,645) and outside tuition ($1,410).
Government
It is estimated average total cost of a Government education will be $139,643 over 13-years for a child born this year and starting school in 2030, a $16,349 jump compared to 2025 ($123,294).
It is estimated school fees / voluntary contributions ($481) will make up just 5% of the total cost of a Government education for a child starting school in 2030, with the remainder spent on ancillary costs including extra-curricular activities (sport, music, art - $3,115), electronic devices ($1,617), school necessities (uniforms, textbooks, stationary - $1,570) and outside tuition ($1,459).
How much will my child’s education cost?
Visit our cost of education calculator on the website to estimate how much your child’s education will cost.
How to start saving for the cost of education
Funding education may require careful financial planning. It makes sense to start planning as early as possible. That’s where Education Bonds can help.
Education Bonds are a tax effective investment for education. Education Bonds offer a unique Education Tax Benefit which amounts to an additional $30 for every $70 withdrawn from the Bond’s earnings and it offers a range of tax-free avenues.
Furthermore, the capital and the earnings balances are maintained within the Bond, allowing you to withdraw capital at any time, if required, without any tax implications.
Ask your Financial Adviser how an Education Bond could help you to fund the education you dream of for your child or grandchild.
How we can help
If you have questions about how we can help you, speak with your Financial Adviser about Futurity’s Education Bond range or get in touch with us.
Methodology and assumptions
Futurity Investment Group commissioned McCrindle to conduct the research.
The research is the combination of an online survey to 2,385 Australian parents and school income data reported by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
School income per student data from fees, charges and parent contributions have been used as an estimate of tuition fee/parent contribution. School income data is sourced through the ACARA My School Finance Data Collection and references the 2022 financial year. An estimate of the cost of tuition has been brought forward to 2042 based on the following CPI assumptions (2026 (5.1%), 2027 (3.8%), 2028 onwards (2.5%)). An estimate of ancillary costs has been brought forward to 2042 based on the following CPI assumptions (2026 (3.17%), 2027 (2.83%), 2028 onwards (2.5%)).