Geelong · VIC · 3220

Catholic Schools in Geelong, VIC

Comparing catholic schools in Geelong? Browse the providers we list serving Geelong and the surrounding Geelong area, typically $4,000-$10,000/yr. Credentials and pricing shown where published — independent, no paid placements.

See top Geelong private schools ranked

Best Catholic schools in my area?

Australian private school fees in 2026 vary by school tier: Elite Year 12 fees range from $42,000-$55,000/year (Geelong Grammar, Scotch College, Melbourne Grammar, Sydney Grammar). Mid-tier independent schools: $25,000-$38,000/year. Catholic systemic schools: $4,000-$10,000/year. Year 7-9 typically 30-40% lower than Year 12. Boarding adds $25,000-$45,000/year on top of tuition. Total cost of private education K-12: $400,000-$650,000 for elite schools, $150,000-$300,000 for mid-tier, $40,000-$120,000 for Catholic. Always factor in uniforms, IT, camps, music tuition (add $5,000-$15,000/year).

1.4M

Australian non-government school students

~2,750

Independent + Catholic schools nationwide

205

Schools in our 2026 database

$3,488 to $55,380

Year 12 fee range across our database

Geelong at a glance

Geelong (3220) is a regional city, bayside suburb of Geelong, VIC, approximately 75 km from the Geelong CBD. Home to around 170,000 residents with a median age of 40 and a median household income of $1,700/week (ABS Census 2021). The median detached house price is approximately $750k (2026).

Population

170,000

Median age

Median income / wk

$1,700

Km from CBD

How to use the Private Schools directory

Browse the listings

Each profile shows credentials, location, services and pricing where it's publicly published.

Verify the credentials

Confirm current registration directly with the relevant Australian regulator before engaging.

Contact them directly

We don't take enquiries. You reach out to providers using their own contact details.

Top private schools in the Geelong catchment

Verified 2026 fees, ICSEA scores, and standout programs for 11 private schools across Geelong. School data sourced from official 2026 fee schedules and the ACARA MySchool register.

Geelong Grammar School

, Corio

Anglican Co-ed Elite tier Boarding Est. 1855

Anglican co-educational school in Corio, Geelong. Compulsory Year 9 'Timbertop' wilderness boarding campus (Mansfield)

Y12 fee 2026

$55,380/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$45,740

ICSEA

1149

Year levels

ELC to Year 12

Boarding: $93,840/yr (additional to tuition)

Best for: Compulsory Year 9 'Timbertop' wilderness boarding campus (Mansfield)

Standout programs

› Compulsory Year 9 'Timbertop' wilderness boarding campus (Mansfield)
› Founder of the Positive Education movement in Australia
› Australia's most expensive school; one of Asia-Pacific's best-known boarding schools

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

The Geelong College

, Newtown

Uniting Church (formerly Presbyterian) Co-ed Top tier Boarding Est. 1861

Uniting Church (formerly Presbyterian) co-educational school in Newtown, Geelong. Heritage co-ed boarding option founded 1861

Y12 fee 2026

$38,540/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$30,172

ICSEA

1130

Year levels

ELC to Year 12

Boarding: $31,080/yr (additional to tuition)

Best for: Heritage co-ed boarding option founded 1861

Standout programs

› Heritage co-ed boarding option founded 1861
› Strong rowing tradition (Head of the River)
› Year 12 fees billed over three terms only

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Kardinia International College

, Bell Post Hill

Independent (secular) Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1996

Independent (secular) co-educational school in Bell Post Hill, Geelong. IB World School: Primary Years Programme + IB Diploma alongside VCE

Y12 fee 2026

$17,887/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$13,947

ICSEA

1119

Year levels

ELC to Year 12

Best for: IB World School: Primary Years Programme + IB Diploma alongside VCE

Standout programs

› IB World School: Primary Years Programme + IB Diploma alongside VCE
› Three campuses with school bus included in fees
› More educationally advantaged than 96% of Australian schools

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Sacred Heart College Geelong

, Newtown

Catholic Girls Lower-fee Est. 1860

Catholic girls school in Newtown, Geelong. One of Victoria's largest Catholic secondary schools for girls (~1,420 students)

Y12 fee 2026

$5,140/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$4,615

ICSEA

1095

Year levels

Year 7 to Year 12

Best for: One of Victoria's largest Catholic secondary schools for girls (~1,420 students)

Standout programs

› One of Victoria's largest Catholic secondary schools for girls (~1,420 students)
› Sisters of Mercy heritage (founded 1860)
› Edstart payment-plan partnership

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: School publishes 2026 fees only inside a downloadable booklet not indexable. Figures last publicly cited 2023.

Geelong Lutheran College

, Armstrong Creek

Lutheran Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1962

Geelong Lutheran College is a co-educational P-12 Lutheran school operating across two Geelong campuses: St John's Newtown (Prep-6, founded 1962) and the larger Armstrong Creek campus (Prep-12, opened 2009). The two schools formally merged into one college with two campuses in 2023. Official 2026 fees run from $5,635 (Prep) to $12,730 (Year 12), with Year 7 at $9,490, and the school offers sibling and early-payment discounts. ICSEA 1077.

Y12 fee 2026

$12,730/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$9,490

ICSEA

1077

Year levels

Prep-12 (Armstrong Creek); Prep-6 (St John's Newtown)

Best for: Two-campus Lutheran college (St John's Newtown, est. 1962, Prep-6; Armstrong Creek, opened 2009, Prep-12) with first Year 12 cohort graduating in 2014

Standout programs

› Two-campus Lutheran college (St John's Newtown, est. 1962, Prep-6; Armstrong Creek, opened 2009, Prep-12) with first Year 12 cohort graduating in 2014
› 1:1 Laptop Program from Years 5-12 plus a Year 12 'Universities' live-in experience built into core tuition
› VCE electives in Outdoor & Environmental Studies, Systems Engineering, Product Design & Technology and Food Studies, with on-campus VET music and VET subsidies up to $500

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: Fee year 2026. Fully verified. Year 12 day tuition $12,730 and Year 7 $9,490 from the official 2026 Fee Schedule PDF (glc.vic.edu.au/assets/2026-fees.pdf, updated Dec 2025). ICSEA 1077 per Cluey Learning (sourced from ACARA MyScho

St Joseph's College Geelong

, Newtown

Catholic Boys Lower-fee Est. 1935

Catholic boys school in Newtown, Geelong. Largest Catholic boys' school in regional Victoria

Y12 fee 2026

$8,100/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$8,100

ICSEA

1075

Year levels

Year 7 to Year 12

Best for: Largest Catholic boys' school in regional Victoria

Standout programs

› Largest Catholic boys' school in regional Victoria
› Christian Brothers / Edmund Rice Education Australia tradition
› Includes Notebook Computer hire in tuition fee

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Covenant College

, Bell Post Hill

Christian Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1979

Covenant College is an independent, co-educational, non-denominational Christian school in Bell Post Hill, Geelong, founded in 1979 as Geelong Christian School. It is parent-controlled and serves around 735 students from three-year-old Kindergarten through to VCE (Foundation-Year 12). Distinctive offerings include an on-campus Trade Skills Centre, a Netball Academy and a Missions Program. Published tuition is roughly $7,430 in Year 7 and $7,910 in Year 12. ICSEA 1070.

Y12 fee 2026

$7,910/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$7,430

ICSEA

1070

Year levels

Foundation-12 (plus 3yo Kindergarten)

Best for: On-site Trade Skills Centre delivering hands-on VET and vocational pathways alongside VCE

Standout programs

› On-site Trade Skills Centre delivering hands-on VET and vocational pathways alongside VCE
› Dedicated Netball Academy plus a strong music and performing arts program
› Missions Program and 'Covenant Warriors' co-curricular program reflecting its Christian, parent-controlled ethos

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: Fee year current (most recent published, year not stated by source). Verified with caveat on fee year. Year 12 $7,910 and Year 7 $7,430 sourced from Good Schools Guide (data supplied by the school); the source does not state the e

Saint Ignatius College Geelong

, Drysdale

Catholic (Jesuit tradition) Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 1997

Catholic (Jesuit tradition) co-educational school in Drysdale, Geelong. Bellarine Peninsula Jesuit-tradition Catholic college

Y12 fee 2026

$7,300/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$6,900

ICSEA

1057

Year levels

Year 7 to Year 12

Best for: Bellarine Peninsula Jesuit-tradition Catholic college

Standout programs

› Bellarine Peninsula Jesuit-tradition Catholic college
› Year 7 students purchase MacBook ($1,900) for use through to Year 12
› Years 8-12 charged at the same flat tuition rate

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Clonard College Geelong

, Herne Hill

Catholic Girls Lower-fee Est. 1956

Catholic girls school in Herne Hill, Geelong. Brigidine Sisters / Kildare Ministries heritage

Y12 fee 2026

$4,840/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$4,840

ICSEA

1033

Year levels

Year 7 to Year 12

Best for: Brigidine Sisters / Kildare Ministries heritage

Standout programs

› Brigidine Sisters / Kildare Ministries heritage
› Single flat annual tuition rate covering curriculum + IT + camps + excursions
› Geelong's primary Catholic systemic girls' school option

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Geelong Baptist College

, Lovely Banks

Baptist Co-ed Lower-fee Est. 2002

Geelong Baptist College is a small, low-fee, co-educational Baptist school at Lovely Banks, about 10km north of central Geelong, founded in 2002 on the former Chanel College site. It serves roughly 310-370 students from Foundation to Year 12 with a strong family focus and an open enrolment policy. From 2026 it moves to an all-inclusive flat fee of $1,800/year for Foundation-Year 6 and $3,500/year for Years 7-12, plus sibling discounts of 20-40%. ICSEA 1015.

Y12 fee 2026

$3,500/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$3,500

ICSEA

1015

Year levels

Foundation-12

Best for: Among the most affordable private schools in Greater Geelong, with an all-inclusive flat fee of $3,500/year for Years 7-12 and $1,800/year for Foundation-Year 6 under the new 2026 structure

Standout programs

› Among the most affordable private schools in Greater Geelong, with an all-inclusive flat fee of $3,500/year for Years 7-12 and $1,800/year for Foundation-Year 6 under the new 2026 structure
› Generous sibling discounts of 20% (second child) and 40% (third+), making it accessible for larger families
› Small, close-knit semi-rural campus (~310-370 students) on the former Chanel College site at Lovely Banks, ~10km from central Geelong, with a chaplaincy and house pastoral structure

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Note: Fee year 2026. Verified. New 2026 fee structure: Foundation-Year 6 $1,800 and Years 7-12 $3,500 per annum (all-inclusive), confirmed by the school's fee schedule via Good Schools Guide and the school's own 2026 fee references. Yea

Christian College Geelong

, Highton

Christian (non-denominational) Co-ed Mid tier Est. 1980

Christian (non-denominational) co-educational school in Highton, Geelong. Five campuses across Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast

Y12 fee 2026

$21,944/yr

Y7 fee 2026

$16,404

ICSEA

—

Year levels

Prep to Year 12

Best for: Five campuses across Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast

Standout programs

› Five campuses across Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast
› Devices and digital subscriptions included in tuition Years 4-12
› 23-route private bus fleet across the region

See full profile → School site ↗ Fee source ↗

Common questions

Private Schools FAQs, Geelong

How much do private schools cost in Geelong (Geelong) 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.

Are private schools worth the cost?

Research is mixed. Australian Productivity Commission analysis shows private schools deliver 5-8 ATAR points improvement over government schools on average, but much of this is explained by socio-economic background, not teaching quality. Top selective government schools (NSW: Sydney Boys/Girls High, James Ruse; VIC: Melbourne High, Mac.Robertson) consistently outperform top private schools at zero cost. Private school benefits are real (network, extracurriculars, smaller classes, pastoral care) but financial cost is significant, $500,000 invested at age 5 instead would be worth $1.5M+ at age 18 for university and house deposit help.

How do I find the best school for my child?

Visit open days at 5-8 schools matching your geographic and budget criteria. Talk to current parents (often more revealing than school marketing). Ask schools for: median ATAR (or NAPLAN value-added data for primary), retention rate from Year 7 to 12, specific strengths in your child's areas of interest, pastoral care approach, school culture. Match school strengths to your child, academic powerhouse for high achievers, more pastoral schools for sensitive children, sport-focused for athletic kids, music-strong for musicians. Don't just pick the highest-fee school.

What's the application process for private schools?

Standard process: 1) Register interest at school website (often $50-$200 fee), 2) Submit application form with academic reports and references (12-24 months before entry typically), 3) Sit assessment test (Cooperative Scholarship Test, AAS test, or school-specific), 4) Attend family interview, 5) Receive offer or waitlist position. Many schools require non-refundable enrolment fee ($1,500-$5,000) to secure place. Most schools require 1 term notice plus a fee of one term's tuition if you change your mind after enrolment.

Other private schools services in Geelong

Independent Schools

$25,000-$55,000/yr

Boarding Schools

$50,000-$95,000/yr total

International Baccalaureate

$28,000-$55,000/yr

Single Sex Schools

$25,000-$50,000/yr

Religious Schools

$8,000-$45,000/yr

More Resources

Best Private Schools in Geelong → Latest guides → How we rank

See all best private schools in Geelong → Full Geelong ranking

Also Serving Nearby Suburbs

Catholic Schools Highton Catholic Schools Grovedale Catholic Schools Leopold Catholic Schools Lara Catholic Schools Drysdale Catholic Schools Clifton Springs Catholic Schools Ocean Grove Catholic Schools Barwon Heads