Head-to-head · 2026
Brindabella Christian College vs Radford College
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Canberra. Sourced from each school's published schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 6 June 2026.
Looking for just one school's fees and full profile?
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: Brindabella Christian College is Christian; Radford College is Anglican.
- Gender: Brindabella Christian College is co-ed; Radford College is co-educational.
- Year 12 fees differ by $11,600: Brindabella Christian College is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 44: Radford College draws from a more advantaged community.
- Both schools are in Canberra, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Brindabella Christian College | Radford College |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Lyneham, Canberra | Bruce, Canberra |
| Sector | Christian | Anglican |
| Gender | co-ed | co-educational |
| Year levels | K-12 (ELC-12) | Pre-K-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1140 | 1184 |
| Year 12 fee | $14,350 | $25,950 |
| Year 7 fee | $13,200 | $25,050 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1980 | 1984 |
| Religion | Christian (non-denominational) | Anglican Church of Australia |
All fees verified 6 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Brindabella Christian College
Standout strengths
- ›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
Brindabella Christian College is an independent, non-denominational Christian co-educational K-12 day school in Lyneham (with a Norwest campus in Charnwood), founded in 1980 as O'Connor Christian School. It serves around 1,100-1,170 students and has the highest ICSEA (1140) of this Canberra group. Year 11-12 day tuition is about $14,350 a year (2025 official schedule), with a total of about $15,450 including the year levy plus a $1,800-per-family capital levy.
See full profile →Radford College
Standout strengths
- ›IB Diploma alongside ACT BSSS pathway
- ›Round Square member school
- ›Largest enrolment in ACT independent sector (2,100+)
Anglican co-educational school in Bruce, Canberra. IB Diploma alongside ACT BSSS pathway
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Brindabella Christian College or Radford College?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Radford College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Brindabella Christian College is more affordable. Both are in Canberra. The most meaningful comparison is on culture, programs, transport and entry pathway for your specific child – visit open days and talk to current parents.
What are the 2026 fees for Brindabella Christian College and Radford College?
Brindabella Christian College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $14,350 (Year 7: $13,200). Radford College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $25,950 (Year 7: $25,050). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Brindabella Christian College vs Radford College?
Brindabella Christian College has an ICSEA score of 1140; Radford College has 1184. The Australian median is 1000. ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the school community – it correlates with academic outcomes but does NOT measure teaching quality or value-add. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool.
Which school is older, Brindabella Christian College or Radford College?
Brindabella Christian College is the older school (founded 1980 vs 1984 for Radford College).
Do Brindabella Christian College or Radford College offer boarding?
Brindabella Christian College: Day school only. Radford College: Day school only.
Next step
Model the 6-year cost for either school
Project Year 7-12 tuition with 4.5% annual indexation. Add boarding, levies and sibling discounts. Compare side-by-side.
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