School database · Canberra

Top private schools in Canberra, 2026

The 13 best private schools in Canberra for 2026, independently ranked. Canberra private school fees range from $7,623 to $50,270 per year — compare every school below by fee band, suburb and sector. Every fee is sourced from each school's official 2026 schedule (linked under each card); we rank on ICSEA, historic VCE/IB results and standout programs, never paid placement. Coverage spans Canberra, Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, Woden and Ainslie. Updated June 2026.

13 schools ranked No paid placements 2026 fees verified Sorted by ICSEA
The Education Desk · Editorial team, schools + fertility + family services · Updated 6 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

In short

Which is the best private school in Canberra?

Our top-ranked private school in Canberra for 2026 is Canberra Grammar School — Canberra Grammar School is one of Red Hill's most established anglican co-educational school. Runners-up: Radford College and Burgmann Anglican School. All 13 providers in this guide serve Canberra and are ranked on verifiable credentials and information transparency, not paid placement.

Based on 13 providers profiled in Canberra, all cross-referenced against the relevant Australian regulator. Independent ranking, no paid placements, no first-party reviews.

Key takeaways

  • Highest ICSEA: Canberra Grammar School (1194), Red Hill.
  • 2026 Year 12 fees range $7,623–$50,270 across 13 schools (median $15,004).
  • 2 schools offer boarding; 5 are co-educational, the rest are single-sex.
  • 6 schools offer the IB Diploma alongside VCE.
  • Apply 12–24 months ahead for most schools; elite-tier (Melbourne Grammar, Scotch, Geelong Grammar) often need application at birth or by age 2 for Year 7 entry.

13 Verified Private Schools in Canberra, Ranked

1

Canberra Grammar School

, Red Hill
Anglican Co-ed Top tier Boarding Est. 1929

Canberra Grammar School is one of Red Hill's most established anglican co-educational school. Founded 1929. ICSEA 1194 (well above the national average of 1,000). Computing and digital innovation program. Tuition: $44,630/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$44,630/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$43,455

ICSEA

1194

Year levels

Preschool-Year 12

Best for: STEM-leaning students and families

Standout programs

  • › Computing and digital innovation program
  • › Fully co-educational since 2018
  • › Boarding houses for senior students
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗
2

Radford College

, Bruce
Anglican Co-ed Mid tier Est. 1984

Radford College sits among Bruce's top anglican co-educational schools. Founded 1984. ICSEA 1184 (well above the national average of 1,000). IB Diploma alongside ACT BSSS pathway. Tuition: $25,950/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$25,950/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$25,050

ICSEA

1184

Year levels

Pre-K-Year 12

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

Standout programs

  • › IB Diploma alongside ACT BSSS pathway
  • › Round Square member school
  • › Largest enrolment in ACT independent sector (2,100+)
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗
3

Burgmann Anglican School

, Forde
Anglican Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1999

Burgmann Anglican School, in Forde, is a long-standing anglican co-educational school. Founded 1999. ICSEA 1158 (well above the national average of 1,000). Two campuses (Valley Gungahlin and Forde). Tuition: $17,000/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$17,000/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$15,900

ICSEA

1158

Year levels

Pre-K-Year 12

Best for: Co-educational families looking for a broad, balanced curriculum

Standout programs

  • › Two campuses (Valley Gungahlin and Forde)
  • › Newest of ACT's leading Anglican schools
  • › Strong NAPLAN performance for the region
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗
4

Canberra Girls Grammar School

, Deakin
Anglican Girls Elite tier Boarding Est. 1926

Canberra Girls Grammar School (Deakin) is recognised as a leading anglican girls (co-ed elc-year 3) school. Founded 1926. ICSEA 1155 (well above the national average of 1,000). IB Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme. Tuition: $50,270/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$50,270/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$46,330

ICSEA

1155

Year levels

ELC-Year 12

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

Standout programs

  • › IB Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme
  • › Up to 80 boarders Years 7-12
  • › Sibling discounts of 7.5%-15%
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗
5

Brindabella Christian College

, Lyneham
Christian Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1980

Brindabella Christian College is one of Lyneham's most established christian co-ed school. Founded 1980. ICSEA 1140 (well above the national average of 1,000). Non-denominational Christian K-12 college with the highest ICSEA of this Canberra group (1140), running a Biblically-integrated curriculum across two campuses (Central, Lyneham; Norwest, Charnwood) plus an early learning centre. Tuition: $14,350/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$14,350/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$13,200

ICSEA

1140

Year levels

K-12 (ELC-12)

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

Standout programs

  • › Non-denominational Christian K-12 college with the highest ICSEA of this Canberra group (1140), running a Biblically-integrated curriculum across two campuses (Central, Lyneham; Norwest, Charnwood) plus an early learning centre
  • › Began in 1980 as O'Connor Christian School (an outreach of the O'Connor Uniting Church) with 29 students; split from the church and became Brindabella Christian College in 1998
  • › Outdoor Education elective program (Years 9-12) and a 1:1 device program; now operated under Christian Community Ministries (CCM) following a 2025 change of administration
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: Fee year 2025. Year 11-12 tuition $14,350/yr (total fees and levies $15,450) and Year 7-8 tuition $13,200/yr (total $14,600) from the official 2025 BCC fee schedule PDF. The 2026 schedule is hosted on an authentication-walled Shar

6

Marist College Canberra

, Pearce
Catholic Boys Lower-fee Est. 1968

Marist College Canberra sits among Pearce's top catholic boys schools. Founded 1968. ICSEA 1132 (well above the national average of 1,000). Marist Brothers tradition of holistic education. Tuition: $15,004/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$15,004/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$13,014

ICSEA

1132

Year levels

Year 4-Year 12

Best for: Families seeking an established single-sex boys education

Standout programs

  • › Marist Brothers tradition of holistic education
  • › Strong rugby and cricket programs
  • › Member of Associated Southern Colleges
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗
7

Daramalan College

, Dickson
Catholic Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1962

Daramalan College, in Dickson, is a long-standing catholic co-educational school. Founded 1962. ICSEA 1106 (well above the national average of 1,000). Run by Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Tuition: $15,040/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$15,040/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$12,796

ICSEA

1106

Year levels

Year 7-Year 12

Best for: Music-strong students and families

Standout programs

  • › Run by Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
  • › Strong performing arts and music program
  • › Co-ed across all year levels since 1996
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗
8

Merici College

, Braddon
Catholic Girls Lower-fee Est. 1959

Merici College (Braddon) is recognised as a leading catholic girls school. Founded 1959. ICSEA 1101 (well above the national average of 1,000). Authorised IB World School offering both the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) - one of very few ACT schools running the full IB pathway alongside the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. Tuition: $7,623/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$7,623/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$6,116

ICSEA

1101

Year levels

7-12

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

Standout programs

  • › Authorised IB World School offering both the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) - one of very few ACT schools running the full IB pathway alongside the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate
  • › Canberra's oldest Catholic girls' school (founded 1959 as Canberra Catholic Girls' High School), established as an archdiocesan college staffed by six religious congregations and named for St Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursulines
  • › Catholic systemic college, so day tuition is very low (Year 12 about $7,623/yr) with the same five-college sibling-discount structure
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: Fee year 2026. From the official 2026 Merici fee schedule PDF: Year 12 tuition $7,623, college levy $7,347, camps/retreats $337 = total $15,307 (charged over three terms), plus $625-per-family facilities levy. Year 11 tuition $7,6

9

Trinity Christian School Canberra

, Wanniassa
Christian Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1980

Trinity Christian School Canberra is one of Wanniassa's most established christian co-educational school. Founded 1980. ICSEA 1095 (well above the national average of 1,000). Christian parent-controlled school. Tuition: $15,388/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$15,388/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$14,355

ICSEA

1095

Year levels

K-Year 12

Best for: Families wanting a service-leadership and faith formation focus

Standout programs

  • › Christian parent-controlled school
  • › Three sub-schools: Junior K-5, Middle 6-8, Senior 9-12
  • › Motto: Love, Nurture and Service
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗
10

St Clare's College

, Griffith
Catholic Girls Lower-fee Est. 1965

St Clare's College sits among Griffith's top catholic girls schools. Founded 1965. ICSEA 1087 (well above the national average of 1,000). Catholic systemic girls' college run in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition (founded 1965 as Catholic Girls' High School Griffith, renamed St Clare's in 1980); part of the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn fee system, so day tuition is far below independent-school levels. Tuition: $7,623/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$7,623/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$6,116

ICSEA

1087

Year levels

7-12

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

Standout programs

  • › Catholic systemic girls' college run in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition (founded 1965 as Catholic Girls' High School Griffith, renamed St Clare's in 1980); part of the Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn fee system, so day tuition is far below independent-school levels
  • › Years 7-12 single-sex education for girls with strong vocational pathways alongside the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate / ACT Scaling Test (AST) for ATAR-track Year 11-12 students
  • › Sibling discounts across the five systemic ACT colleges (St Mary MacKillop, John Paul II, St Clare's, Merici, St Francis Xavier): 20% second child, 50% third, 100% fourth
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: Fee year 2026. Year 12 tuition is $2,541 per term billed over three terms = $7,623/yr; total annual Year 12 fees (incl. college levy) approx $13,200 plus a $625-per-family facilities levy. Year 7 tuition $6,116/yr. ICSEA 1087 from

11

St Francis Xavier College

, Florey
Catholic Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1976

St Francis Xavier College, in Florey, is a long-standing catholic co-ed school. Founded 1976. ICSEA 1070 (well above the national average of 1,000). Largest Catholic systemic co-educational college serving the Belconnen and Gungahlin areas (about 1,320 students), founded 1976; very low day tuition (Year 12 about $7,624/yr) under the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn fee system. Tuition: $7,624/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$7,624/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$6,115

ICSEA

1070

Year levels

7-12

Best for: STEM-leaning students and families

Standout programs

  • › Largest Catholic systemic co-educational college serving the Belconnen and Gungahlin areas (about 1,320 students), founded 1976; very low day tuition (Year 12 about $7,624/yr) under the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn fee system
  • › Full Years 7-12 ACT Senior Secondary pathway with the AST/ATAR track plus broad vocational (VET) offerings
  • › Registered Training Organisation activity (AVETARS-listed) delivering nationally recognised VET qualifications on campus
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: Fee year 2026. Year 11 and Year 12 annual tuition $7,624 (matches the shared CE systemic scale: Yr 7-8 $6,115, Yr 9-10 $6,282, Yr 11-12 $7,624). Source: goodschools.com.au fee data (2026) plus the SFX official fee-schedule page (n

12

St Edmund's College Canberra

, Griffith
Catholic Boys Lower-fee Est. 1954

St Edmund's College Canberra (Griffith) is recognised as a leading catholic boys school. Founded 1954. ICSEA 1067 (well above the national average of 1,000). Edmund Rice Education Australia network. Tuition: $10,700/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$10,700/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$7,500

ICSEA

1067

Year levels

Year 4-Year 12

Best for: Families seeking an established single-sex boys education

Standout programs

  • › Edmund Rice Education Australia network
  • › First Catholic boys' secondary college in ACT
  • › War memorial heritage from 1954 founding
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗
13

St Mary MacKillop College

, Isabella Plains
Catholic Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1998

St Mary MacKillop College is one of Isabella Plains's most established catholic co-ed school. Founded 1998. ICSEA 1059 (well above the national average of 1,000). The largest secondary school in the ACT (about 1,800-2,000 students) across two campuses: Padua (Wanniassa) for Years 7-9 and St Peter's (Isabella Plains) for Years 10-12. Tuition: $7,623/year (Year 12, 2026).

Y12 fee 2026

$7,623/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$6,116

ICSEA

1059

Year levels

7-12

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

Standout programs

  • › The largest secondary school in the ACT (about 1,800-2,000 students) across two campuses: Padua (Wanniassa) for Years 7-9 and St Peter's (Isabella Plains) for Years 10-12
  • › Catholic systemic co-educational college in the Tuggeranong Valley, formed in 1998 from the amalgamation of Padua High School (est. 1978) and St Peter's Catholic College (est. 1989); named for Australia's first saint, Mary MacKillop
  • › Very low day tuition under the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn fee scale (Year 12 about $7,623/yr) with the five-college sibling-discount structure
See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: Fee year 2026. From the official 2026 MacKillop fee schedule PDF: Year 12 tuition $2,541/term billed over three terms = $7,623/yr, college levy $1,036/term, total annual Year 12 fees (with school facilities levy) $11,751; Year 7 t

Private Schools in Canberra, side by side · Click any header to sort
Provider ⇅ Sector ⇅ Gender ⇅ Year 12 fees (2026) ⇅ ICSEA ⇅ Boarding ⇅
Canberra Grammar School AnglicanCo-ed$44,6301194Yes
Radford College AnglicanCo-ed$25,9501184No
Burgmann Anglican School AnglicanCo-ed$17,0001158No
Canberra Girls Grammar School AnglicanGirls$50,2701155Yes
Brindabella Christian College ChristianCo-ed$14,3501140No
Marist College Canberra CatholicBoys$15,0041132No
Daramalan College CatholicCo-ed$15,0401106No
Merici College CatholicGirls$7,6231101No
Trinity Christian School Canberra ChristianCo-ed$15,3881095No
St Clare's College CatholicGirls$7,6231087No
St Francis Xavier College CatholicCo-ed$7,6241070No
St Edmund's College Canberra CatholicBoys$10,7001067No
St Mary MacKillop College CatholicCo-ed$7,6231059No

Pricing and availability data checked against public sources at time of publication. We do not host first-party reviews; star ratings have been removed from this directory pending a moderated review-collection process.

Private school fees in Canberra, by band

Elite · $45k+

1 school — e.g. Canberra Girls Grammar School

Premium · $30k–45k

1 school — e.g. Canberra Grammar School

Mid-tier · $20k–30k

1 school — e.g. Radford College

Lower-fee · $10k–20k

6 schools — e.g. Burgmann Anglican School, Brindabella Christian College, Marist College Canberra

Catholic systemic · under $10k

4 schools — e.g. Merici College, St Clare's College, St Francis Xavier College

See every Canberra school's 2026 fees, ranked →

Private schools in Canberra, by suburb

SuburbSchoolsICSEA
Griffith St Clare's College, St Edmund's College Canberra 1067–1087
Red Hill Canberra Grammar School 1194
Bruce Radford College 1184
Forde Burgmann Anglican School 1158
Deakin Canberra Girls Grammar School 1155
Lyneham Brindabella Christian College 1140
Pearce Marist College Canberra 1132
Dickson Daramalan College 1106

Best Canberra private schools by type

Top Catholic schools in Canberra

Top Anglican schools in Canberra

Top girls' schools in Canberra

Top boys' schools in Canberra

Boarding schools in Canberra

Boarding & international students in Canberra

2 Canberra private schools offer boarding. Boarding schools are the main pathway for regional, interstate and international families — CRICOS-registered schools enrol international students on a subclass-500 visa (international tuition typically runs 1.3 to 1.7 times domestic).

Canberra Grammar SchoolCanberra Girls Grammar School
International student guide → · Boarding schools →

How we rank private schools in Canberra

We rank schools on objective, publicly verifiable data: 30% ICSEA score (the ACARA Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage, a strong correlate of academic outcomes), 30% historic VCE/IB results where school medians are publicly disclosed, 20% breadth of standout programs (academic, music, sport, outdoor, languages), 10% facility and pastoral care, and 10% transparency and access (published fees, scholarship availability, open day cadence). Fees in this guide come from each school's published 2026 schedule (linked under each card). Compare Private Schools does not accept payment to list or rank schools.

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Common questions

FAQs: private schools in Canberra

Which is the highest-ranked private school in Canberra for 2026?

By ICSEA (the strongest publicly-available correlate of academic outcomes), Canberra Grammar School in Red Hill ranks first among Canberra private schools we cover, with an ICSEA of 1194. Year 12 fees for 2026 are $44,630. However, "best" is highly child-specific, fit, single-sex vs co-ed preference, religious orientation, and travel time matter as much as raw academic data. Visit at least 3 open days before deciding.

How much do Canberra private schools cost in 2026?

Canberra private school Year 12 tuition for 2026 ranges from $7,623 to $50,270 per year across the 13 schools we cover (median $15,004). Junior school fees are typically 30–40% lower than Year 12. Boarding adds a further $25,000–$45,000 per year on top of tuition. Don't forget capital levies, building fund contributions, IT, uniforms, camps, and music tuition, these can add $5,000–$15,000 per year.

When should I apply for a private school place in Canberra?

For mid-tier independent and Catholic schools, 12–24 months before entry is standard. For elite-tier independents (especially Year 7 boys' schools), waiting lists can be years long, many parents apply at birth or by age 2. Year 9 and Year 11 entry typically have more availability than Year 7. Always check each school's specific application deadlines on their website.

What is ICSEA and why does it matter?

ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is published by ACARA via MySchool.edu.au. It measures the socio-educational advantage of a school's student community on a scale where 1,000 is the national average. Most Canberra private schools score 1,150–1,210. ICSEA is a strong correlate of NAPLAN and ATAR outcomes, but it measures the family advantage students bring to the school, not the school's teaching quality. Use it as one input alongside ATAR results, programs, culture and fit.

What are the best Catholic schools in Canberra?

Leading Catholic schools in Canberra by ICSEA include Marist College Canberra, Daramalan College, Merici College, St Clare's College. Catholic systemic schools are typically the most affordable private option ($4,000–$10,000/year), while Catholic congregational schools (Jesuit, Loreto, Mercy) sit closer to independent fee levels. See the full Canberra ranking above for fees and ICSEA on each.

Which Canberra private schools offer boarding?

2 of the Canberra private schools we cover offer boarding, including Canberra Grammar School, Canberra Girls Grammar School. Boarding suits regional, interstate and international families — see our boarding guide for the full state-by-state list.

Can international students enrol at Canberra private schools, and what does it cost?

Yes — CRICOS-registered Canberra private schools (especially boarding schools) enrol international students on a subclass-500 student visa. International tuition typically runs 1.3–1.7× the domestic rate, and under-18s need approved welfare/guardianship (a school-issued CAAW or a nominated guardian). We're building a school-by-school international fee and CRICOS database; in the meantime each school's overseas-student fees are on its own admissions page.

What are the most affordable private schools in Canberra?

The lowest Year 12 tuition among Canberra private schools we cover starts around $7,623 per year — generally Catholic systemic and lower-fee Christian/Lutheran schools. Fee-band breakdown and example schools are shown above. Remember to factor in levies (technology, building fund, camps, uniforms) which add roughly 8–15% on top of headline tuition.

How much do private schools cost in Australia in 2026?

Elite independent schools (Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar, Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College): $42,000-$55,000/year for Year 12. Mid-tier independents: $25,000-$38,000/year. Catholic systemic schools: $4,000-$10,000/year. Boarding adds $25,000-$45,000 on top. Year 7-9 fees typically 30-40% lower than Year 12. Total K-12 cost: $400,000-$650,000 for elite schools, $40,000-$120,000 for Catholic systemic. Add $5,000-$15,000/year for uniforms, IT, camps, music tuition.

When should I apply for a private school?

Elite schools (Scotch, Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar): apply at birth or before age 2 for Year 7 entry. Waiting lists at top schools are 1,000+ children. Mid-tier independents: apply 2-4 years before entry year. Catholic systemic: 12-24 months before entry year. Most competitive entry points: Reception (limited places open most spots), Year 7 (start of secondary, biggest intake), Year 11 (VCE/HSC start). Apply to 4-8 schools simultaneously to maximise options.

What's ICSEA and how does it relate to school quality?

ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) measures the socio-economic background of a school's community. Average is 1000. Elite private schools typically score 1180-1230. ICSEA correlates strongly with academic outcomes, but it measures family advantage, not school teaching quality. To assess teaching quality, look at "value-added" data (how much the school improves students above their starting point), Education Department websites publish this. A school with ICSEA 1200 should produce strong results; a school with ICSEA 1100 producing strong results is doing more impressive teaching.

Are private school scholarships realistic to get?

Top elite schools: 5-15 academic scholarships per year for Year 7 entry, 200-500 applicants. Highly competitive, typically requires top 1% performance on ASCAS test plus interview. Mid-tier schools: easier scholarships available, often 30-50% fee reduction. Music scholarships at most schools: less competitive than academic, requires 5+ years instrument experience and grade 6-7 AMEB level. Sport scholarships: rare, mostly for boarding. Financial assistance (means-tested): 5-30% of places at most schools. Apply to 3-5 schools simultaneously to maximise chances.

Catholic vs Independent, which should I choose?

Catholic systemic schools (parish-funded): $4,000-$10,000/year, generally similar academic outcomes to mid-tier independents, religious instruction (Catholic but increasingly inclusive), community-focused, lower socio-economic mix. Independent schools (privately governed): $25,000-$55,000/year, broader extracurricular options, smaller classes, more international students, stronger university preparation, higher ATAR outcomes. Catholic congregational schools (Loreto, Xavier, Mary MacKillop College, etc.) bridge the two, Catholic ethos but independent governance, fees $20,000-$35,000. Many families choose Catholic for primary, independent for secondary.

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