Catholic · girls · Canberra
Merici College
Merici College is a Catholic systemic girls' college (Years 7-12) in Braddon, inner-north Canberra. Founded in 1959, it is Canberra's oldest Catholic girls' school and an authorised IB World School (MYP and Diploma Programme). ICSEA 1101, around 680 students. Year 12 day tuition is about $7,623 a year (billed over three terms); total annual Year 12 fees including levies are about $15,932 plus a $625 facilities levy.
In short
Is Merici College a good private school?
Merici College is a catholic girls private school based in Braddon, Canberra. ICSEA 1101 (Australian median is 1000). 2026 Year 12 tuition is $7,623. Merici College is a Catholic systemic girls' college (Years 7-12) in Braddon, inner-north Canberra. Founded in 1959, it is Canberra's oldest Catholic girls' school and an authorised IB World School (MYP and Diploma Programme). ICSEA 1101, around 680 students. Year 12 day tuition is about $7,623 a year (billed over three terms); total annual Year 12 fees including levies are about $15,932 plus a $625 facilities levy.
Profile information cross-referenced against public sources at time of publication. Verify a provider's current credentials directly with the relevant Australian regulator before engaging.
Key takeaways
- Merici College is a Catholic school in Braddon, Canberra (girls).
- ICSEA score: 1101 (the Australian median is 1000; well above median).
- 2026 Year 12 tuition: $7,623 (Year 7: $6,116).
- Day school only.
- Founded in 1959.
Request info from Merici College
Leave your details and we'll help you get Merici College's prospectus, current fee schedule and enrolment dates. A real person, no obligation, no spam.
Thanks — we're on it.
Check your email shortly. We'll be in touch with information on Merici College within one business day.
Merici College fees · 6-year projection
Merici College fees 2026: what you can expect to pay through 2031
Based on Merici College's current Year 12 fee of $7,623, here's what fees could look like over the next 6 years under three indexation scenarios. Most Australian independent schools index fees between 3.5% and 6% annually.
| Year | Low (+3.5%) | Mid (+4.5%) | High (+5.5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (current) | $7,623 | $7,623 | $7,623 |
| 2027 | $7,890 | $7,966 | $8,042 |
| 2028 | $8,166 | $8,325 | $8,485 |
| 2029 | $8,452 | $8,699 | $8,951 |
| 2030 | $8,748 | $9,091 | $9,444 |
| 2031 | $9,054 | $9,500 | $9,963 |
| 6-year total (mid) | $51,204 |
Projection methodology: starting from Merici College's published 2026 fee, compounded annually at 3 indexation rates representing low / mid / high typical scenarios for Australian independent schools. Actual fees depend on the school's own indexation policy + economic conditions; this is illustrative rather than guaranteed. Excludes uniforms, technology levies, camps, additional services + boarding (unless shown separately).
Planning tip: for a Year 7 entry in 2027, the 6-year tuition-only total is approximately $51,204 (mid scenario). Compare against scholarship pathways + public alternatives before committing.
NAPLAN context
Merici College's NAPLAN benchmark
2025 national + state means for Year 9 — the benchmark to compare against Merici College's individual school result on MySchool.
National Y9 Reading
567.7
2025 mean (all students)
ACT state mean
579.4
Australian Capital Territory Y9 Reading mean
National Y9 Numeracy
572.6
2025 mean (all students)
For Merici College's actual NAPLAN figures, use MySchool. It publishes the school's per-domain mean, % in each proficiency band, Year 5 → Year 9 student gain, and "similar schools" comparison (the right metric for value-add).
View Merici College on MySchoolNew to NAPLAN reading? Read our parent's guide — what each year level + domain measures, the parental-education premium, and what to look for on MySchool.
Fee history
How Merici College's fees have moved 2018 → 2026
The 9-year tuition trajectory for a Year 12 student. Compare against the national fee-inflation tracker to see how this school's pace stacks up against the wider sector.
Year 12 fee history
Merici College
2018 → 2026 tuition fee progression (AUD, tuition only)
+42.1%
8-year change
$5,364
2018 fee
$7,623
2026 fee
4.5%
Per year (CAGR)
Pre-2026 figures are computed by applying the ABS secondary-education price index (Cat 6401.0) backwards year-by-year from the school's verified 2026 fee. Audit sample shows estimates within ±5% of actual fees for most schools. Per-school verified historical chains will be added as we complete audits of each school's annual reports.
Location + links
Find Merici College
Braddon, Canberra, Australia.
Plan with Merici College
Tools to dig deeper into this school
Sibling cost calculator
2-4 children at Merici College
Open →
Add to shortlist
Compare side-by-side
Open →
Scholarships guide
10 types + ACER testing
Open →
School finder quiz
Find similar schools in 60s
Open →
Open day timing
When to plan visits
Open →
University destinations
G8 + ATAR cutoffs
Open →
Read the annual report
7 sections + red flags
Open →
Head-to-head
Compare Merici College side-by-side
Canberra
More schools in Canberra
Canberra Grammar School
Red Hill
Radford College
Bruce
Burgmann Anglican School
Forde
Canberra Girls Grammar School
Deakin
Marist College Canberra
Pearce
Daramalan College
Dickson
Catholic
More Catholic schools
girls · Canberra
Other girls schools in Canberra
What Merici College offers
Compare
Alternatives to Merici College
Common questions
Merici College FAQs
What are Merici College's 2026 fees?
Merici College's 2026 fee schedule lists Year 12 tuition at $7,623, with Year 7 at $6,116. Fees typically index 3.5–6% annually — model 6-year totals using our calculator before committing. Additional levies (technology, camps, uniform, capital) usually add 8–15% on top of the headline tuition.
What is Merici College's ICSEA score?
Merici College has an ICSEA score of 1101. The Australian median is 1000; ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the parent community (not academic value-add). Schools at 1150+ are top decile nationally. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool and updated each calendar year.
Does Merici College offer boarding?
Merici College is a day school. For boarding alternatives in Canberra, see our city ranking.
Where is Merici College based?
Merici College is primarily based in Canberra, Australia, and serves clients across Canberra and surrounding areas. Check with the provider directly for specific service-area coverage.
What are the alternatives to Merici College?
Our independent ranking of the top private schools in Australia includes Melbourne Grammar School, Scotch College, Wesley College. Each has different strengths — see our comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.
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.
For school registrars
Is this your school?
Claim Merici College to verify 2026 fees + scholarship rounds + program updates. We do not sell leads. We do not charge per enquiry.
Claim this profileFree, takes about two minutes.