Families in the Illawarra region are bracing for a significant financial hit as new research forecasts the steep cost of sending a child to school in 2026. The comprehensive analysis reveals a sharp divide between public and private education expenses, placing immense pressure on household budgets.
Public School Costs Climb to Nearly $95,000
According to the latest Cost of Education Index, the parents of a child starting public school in the Illawarra in 2026 can expect to pay $94,842 over the next 13 years. This represents a substantial increase of $5,394 from the $89,448 estimated at the start of 2025.
While this regional figure is lower than the projected $106,567 for a public education in Sydney, it still constitutes a major financial commitment. The index, commissioned by Futurity Investment Group, indicates that families in regional NSW will spend an average of $280 per child on voluntary school contributions this year. However, the larger expenses come from areas like outside tuition, coaching, elective subjects, vocational training, and transport.
Sarah McAdie from Futurity Investment Group highlighted the growing strain on families. "Education costs place a significant burden on families amid other rising costs, such as housing," she said.
Private School Fees: A Hefty Premium for Independent Education
The financial picture becomes far more daunting for families considering independent schooling. The forecast 13-year cost for an independent education in regional NSW, including fees, uniforms, transport, excursions, and technology, is a staggering $233,853.
In the Illawarra, specific institutions command even higher fees. Based on 2026 prices, parents sending a child to The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS) for their entire schooling can expect to pay up to $336,870 in tuition and levies alone.
Annual fees at TIGS will start at $18,510 for kindergarten—a rise from $17,260 in 2025—and climb to $31,890 for senior high school years, marking a 7 per cent annual increase. A school spokesperson explained that fee hikes are tied to wage increases, the education sector's Consumer Price Index, and major capital works, adding that "every attempt is made to keep fee increases to a minimum without compromising the quality of teaching and learning."
Other independent schools in the region also show significant costs for a full 13-year education:
- Shellharbour Anglican College: $131,740 (2026 prices).
- Illawarra Christian School, Cordeaux Heights: $119,990.
- Cedars Christian College, Farmborough Heights: $112,512.
- Amity College, Shellharbour: $45,400 (excluding technology and subject levies).
The research found that school fees will constitute almost half of all independent education costs in regional NSW for 2026, with other essential expenses making up the remainder.
Catholic Education: Fees Versus Total Cost
The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDOW) provides a more moderate fee structure. Annual fees and levies range from $3,218 for primary students to $4,054 for those in Years 11 and 12. Based on these figures, the total fee cost for a 13-year Catholic education in the Illawarra would be approximately $44,290.
However, fees can vary between schools. For instance, Year 12 fees in 2026 are $5,179 at Holy Spirit College in Bellambi and $5,138 plus subject fees at St Joseph's Catholic High School in Albion Park.
The total cost picture is broader when additional expenses are factored in. The Cost of Education Index forecasts that a full 13-year Catholic education in regional NSW, including transport, uniforms, devices, and extracurriculars, will reach $209,111. Notably, less than a third of this total in 2026 will be attributed directly to school fees.
CEDOW states on its website that government funding does not cover the full cost of education, compelling them to charge fees. "We take the financial commitment of our families very seriously and strive to keep fees as low as possible, while maintaining our high standards," it said. The diocese also offers concessions for families in genuine financial hardship, assuring that enrolment will not be affected by an inability to pay.
Independent Catholic high schools in Wollongong, such as St Mary Star of the Sea College and Edmund Rice College, would cost roughly $72,576 and $74,580 respectively for a six-year high school education.
Methodology and Broader Impact
The findings of the Cost of Education Index are based on interviews with 2,500 parents across Australia and data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). The report underscores the difficult choices and financial planning required of Illawarra families, who must balance the aspiration for quality education against the reality of soaring living costs.
With fee increases consistently outpacing general inflation, the data for 2026 serves as a crucial planning tool for parents and a stark indicator of the economic pressures facing Australian households in the education sector.
