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Cost of Children | Child Education | Education Costs

Education Costs

Lets take a journey through the average education a child might encounter and calculate the costs involved. Please note that these prices are only estimates derived from a few of the many school fee structures available on the internet. As such they are not conclusive and operate simply as a rough guide. Non-government (private) schools are also difficult to determine as some schools receive higher funding from the government (e.g. Catholic Schools) and this has a direct impact on their fee base.

Childcare fees
We all want the best care for our children and that means starting with a childcare centre which will provide quality facilities and staff for learning through play, not just care.

This is the general cost of childcare for a child from 6 months to 3 Years:
Per year: $9,100-$13,000 (or $35 -$50 per day).
Equates to a total of: $22,750-$32,500 for 2.5 years.
http://www.issupport.qut.edu.au/student/familysuppor/childcare.jsp

Kindergarten fees
Once a child has reached their 3rd birthday it’s time for Kindergarten/ Early Learning Centre until he or she reaches the junior school age of 5. You may typically send your child for 2-5 days a week and the prices are not too dissimilar to that of childcare fees.

This is the general cost of Kindy for a child from 3 Years to 5 Years:
Per year: $13,780 (or $53 per day)
Equates to a total of $27,560 for 2 years.
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~htkinder/fees.html
http://www.families.qld.gov.au/childcare/publications/documents/
pdf/census_2001_kin.pdf

Primary School fees
Junior Primary marks the official beginning of a child’s next 12 years of schooling. By now you would have already made the big decision of whether private or public schooling is best for the child. Primary school years will vary between states and schools but most typically go anywhere between Reception/Kindy right through to Year 8.

Private Junior Primary School fees
This is the general cost of Junior Primary School for a child from 5 Years to 12 Years:
Per year: $7,458
Equates to total of: $59,664 for 8 years.
http://www.sthildas.qld.edu.au/enrolments/schfees.htm

Public Junior Primary School fees
This is the general cost of Junior Primary School for a child from 5 Years to 12 Years:
Per year: $161
Equates to total of: $1288 for 8 years
http://sa.democrats.org.au/parlt/spring2000/1005_d.htm

Please remember that this does not include other necessary expenses like uniforms, after school care, stationary, books, excursions and extra curricular activities such as music lessons or sporting equipment and clothing.

Secondary School fees
Starting Secondary school is another stage in a child’s life where a decision needs to be made as to which school will best suit your child. Often this decision is made with both the parents and the child determining the outcome.

Private Secondary School fees
This is the general cost of private Secondary school for a child from 13 Years to 18 Years:
Per year average: $11,014
Equates to a total of: $55,070 for 5 years
http://www.stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au/frames.html

Public Secondary School fees
This is the general cost of public Secondary school for a child from 13 Years to 18 Years:
Per year: $215
Equates to a total of: $1075 for 5 years.
http://sa.democrats.org.au/parlt/spring2000/1005_d.htm

Once again this does not include other necessary expenses like stationary, books, uniforms, excursions and extra curricular activities such as music lessons or sporting equipment and clothing. For example, the additional cost for a private school student may be as much as $3,160 per year.

Post Secondary Education and fees
Much of the research we are seeing today on tertiary education basically indicates that career choice is directly impacted by the level of qualifications a person has.

A person can gain qualifications at TAFE, where they will more than likely receive a certificate or diploma.

In a university, a person will receive an undergraduate degree. TAFE fees are considerably lower but you will be expected to pay for them upfront whereas university fees can be paid later under HECS. You need to be sure however, that HECS exists in 15-18 years time when your child might enter university!

TAFE fees
For a TAFE diploma (not including materials and other fees) the cost is approximately $1,200 per year.
http://www.tafe.sa.edu.au/institutes/regency/it_studies/dipit.html

University fees
Under HECS, a University degree at Band 2 (not including materials and other fees) the cost is $5,367 per year. That is assuming that the HECS structure remains as is when your child attends school! This cost covers an undergraduate degree. Should a person pursue a post-graduate degree like a Masters or PhD the costs continue.
http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/Main/FeesLoansAndScholarships/Undergraduate/
CommonwealthSupportForYourPlaceAndHECS-HELP/WhatYouPay.htm#4

Education costs, in summary
So, taking into account that this is a rough estimate of fees, with not all expenses included, a child’s education journey might cost anywhere between $7,653 (without childcare) up to $190,895 for a full time private education including a University degree.

Carly Schwerdt
B.Vis Comm (Hon), B.Ed (Specialisation)

Other links within this site that might be helpful:

• Cost of children
• Child education
• Education and careers
• School expenses
• Uni fees and expenses
• HECS-HELP info
• TAFE fees and expenses
• Education savings

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