尽管生活成本危机加剧，澳大利亚选择私立学校的学生比例仍在上升。私立学校学生占比从2006年的13%升至2025年的17%，而公立学校学生比例同期从67%下降至63%[1]。平均而言，私立学校年费用约为8,973澳元，但在新南威尔士州和维多利亚州等地区，12年级学费分别达到15,674澳元和20,923澳元[1]。
家庭为支付这笔费用承受巨大压力。超过50%的私立学校学生家庭报告难以支付学费，其中28%被迫削减医药、食品和交通等基本开支[1]。75%的相关家庭在过去一年调整了家庭预算，20%则向其他家庭成员寻求财务支持[1]。
选择私立学校的根本原因指向公立学校资金短缺。除澳大利亚首都领地外，其他州和领地的公立学校目前未能获得最低教学资源标准规定的资金[1]。澳大利亚研究所的调查显示，38%选择私立学校的家长表示，如果本地公立学校获得充足资金，他们会改为选择公立学校[1]。
Despite widespread financial hardship, Australian families continue to opt for private schooling at increasing rates, even as they struggle with mounting education costs. The proportion of students enrolled in private schools has grown from 13% in 2006 to 17% in 2025, while public school enrollment has declined from 67% to 63% over the same period.[1]
Private school fees have become a significant burden for families navigating the cost-of-living crisis. Average annual private school expenses, including additional costs, reach approximately A$8,973, with fees in some regions substantially higher—New South Wales averaged A$15,674 for Year 12 students in 2024, while Victoria recorded A$20,923.[1] The financial strain is evident in family responses: 75% of private school families adjusted their household budgets in the past year, and over 50% reported difficulty affording fees.[1] To cope, 28% of households cut spending on essentials such as medical care, food, and transportation, while 20% sought financial support from other family members.[1]
The persistent shift toward private education reflects deeper concerns about public school resources. Research from the Australia Institute found that 38% of families choosing private schools would select public schools if their local public institution received adequate funding.[1] Currently, public schools across all states and territories except the Australian Capital Territory remain underfunded relative to the Schooling Resource Standard, highlighting systemic resource gaps that drive families toward private alternatives despite their financial constraints.[1]
