Sector · 66 schools

Catholic schools in Australia (2026)

Catholic schools split into two groups: (1) Catholic systemic — parish-run primary and secondary colleges, $4k–$10k, accessible to most Catholic families and many non-Catholic; (2) Catholic congregational/independent — Jesuit (Xavier, Riverview, Loyola), Christian Brothers (St Joseph's), Mercy, Loreto and others — $20k–$48k. Our database currently focuses on the congregational/independent tier.

The Education Desk · Editorial team, schools + fertility + family services · Updated 13 May 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

Characteristics

What sets Catholic schools apart

  • Two distinct tiers: systemic ($4k-$10k) and congregational ($20k-$48k)
  • Religious order tradition often shapes school culture (Jesuit, Mercy, Edmund Rice, etc.)
  • Daily/weekly Mass + religious education
  • Strong community service + social justice focus
  • Boys schools historically dominant; girls schools rapidly growing

Decision frame

Choose a Catholic school if...

You're Catholic or value Catholic religious formation, want strong academics with service ethos, and can afford either systemic ($5k-$10k) or congregational ($25k-$45k) tier.

Schools in this sector

All 66 Catholic schools, sorted by ICSEA

Loreto Kirribilli

Kirribilli, Sydney

$27.9k Y12 1186 ICSEA

Loreto Normanhurst

Normanhurst, Sydney

$27.8k Y12 1183 ICSEA

Tangara School for Girls

Cherrybrook, Sydney

$17.8k Y12 1183 ICSEA

All Hallows' School

Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

$18.9k Y12 1182 ICSEA

St Aloysius' College

Milsons Point, Sydney

$28.5k Y12 1180 ICSEA

Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College

North Sydney, Sydney

$21.7k Y12 1170 ICSEA

Loreto Mandeville Hall

Toorak, Melbourne

$39.8k Y12 1168 ICSEA

Saint Ignatius' College Riverview

Lane Cove, Sydney

$42.7k Y12 1168 ICSEA

St Ignatius' College Riverview

Lane Cove North, Sydney

$36.2k Y12 1167 ICSEA

John XXIII College

Mount Claremont, Perth

$14.8k Y12 1167 ICSEA

Stuartholme School

Toowong, Brisbane

$22.8k Y12 1163 ICSEA

Star of the Sea College

Brighton, Melbourne

$12.8k Y12 1162 ICSEA

Xavier College

Kew, Melbourne

$31.8k Y12 1156 ICSEA

Xavier College

Kew, Melbourne

$40.9k Y12 1153 ICSEA

Iona Presentation College

Mosman Park, Perth

$14.8k Y12 1148 ICSEA

St Kevin's College

Toorak, Melbourne

$19.8k Y12 1142 ICSEA

Loreto College Marryatville

Marryatville, Adelaide

$15.4k Y12 1138 ICSEA

St Vincent's College

Potts Point, Sydney

$21.9k Y12 1138 ICSEA

Mercedes College Adelaide

Springfield, Adelaide

$13.3k Y12 1138 ICSEA

St Joseph's Nudgee Junior College

Indooroopilly, Brisbane

1138 ICSEA

Marist College North Shore

North Sydney, Sydney

$11.3k Y12 1138 ICSEA

Mercedes College Perth

Perth CBD, Perth

$12.8k Y12 1138 ICSEA

Marist College Canberra

Pearce, Canberra

$15.0k Y12 1132 ICSEA

Genazzano FCJ College

Kew, Melbourne

1131 ICSEA

Brigidine College Randwick

Randwick, Sydney

$10.9k Y12 1117 ICSEA

Trinity College Perth

East Perth, Perth

$20.5k Y12 1115 ICSEA

St Laurence's College

South Brisbane, Brisbane

$14.3k Y12 1112 ICSEA

St Aloysius College Adelaide

Angas Street, Adelaide, Adelaide

$13.3k Y12 1112 ICSEA

Christian Brothers College Adelaide

Wakefield Street, Adelaide, Adelaide

$13.2k Y12 1110 ICSEA

St Patrick's College Strathfield

Strathfield, Sydney

$10.2k Y12 1108 ICSEA

Marian Catholic College Kenthurst

Kenthurst, Sydney

$7.9k Y12 1108 ICSEA

Padua College Kedron

Kedron, Brisbane

$11.3k Y12 1107 ICSEA

Daramalan College

Dickson, Canberra

$15.0k Y12 1106 ICSEA

Lourdes Hill College

Hawthorne, Brisbane

$11.3k Y12 1098 ICSEA

St Mary's Cathedral College

Sydney CBD, Sydney

$10.8k Y12 1098 ICSEA

St Joseph's Nudgee College

Boondall, Brisbane

$23.3k Y12 1097 ICSEA

St Joseph's College Hunters Hill

Hunters Hill, Sydney

$31.9k Y12 1095 ICSEA

Sacred Heart College Newtown Geelong

Newtown, Melbourne

$11.8k Y12 1095 ICSEA

Iona College

Wynnum, Brisbane

$14.8k Y12 1093 ICSEA

Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount)

Ballarat Central, Melbourne

$14.6k Y12 1085 ICSEA

St Patrick's College Ballarat

Ballarat East, Melbourne

$14.8k Y12 1083 ICSEA

De La Salle College Caringbah

Caringbah, Sydney

$9.8k Y12 1083 ICSEA

Sacred Heart College Senior Adelaide

Somerton Park, Adelaide

$13.3k Y12 1083 ICSEA

Marcellin College Randwick

Randwick, Sydney

$9.8k Y12 1078 ICSEA

St Bernard's College Essendon

Essendon, Melbourne

$11.3k Y12 1078 ICSEA

St Michael's College Henley Beach

Henley Beach, Adelaide

$11.8k Y12 1078 ICSEA

Mount Carmel College

Sandy Bay, Hobart

1077 ICSEA

St Edmund's College Canberra

Griffith, Canberra

$10.7k Y12 1067 ICSEA

St Mary's College Hobart

Hobart CBD, Hobart

$6.7k Y12 1062 ICSEA

Cabra Dominican College

Cumberland Park, Adelaide

$9.8k Y12 1062 ICSEA

Salesian College Sunbury

Sunbury, Melbourne

$10.8k Y12 1062 ICSEA

Mater Christi College

Belgrave, Melbourne

$7.8k Y12 1058 ICSEA

Casimir Catholic College

Marrickville, Sydney

$7.8k Y12 1025 ICSEA

Aquinas College Perth

Salter Point, Perth

$22.8k Y12 1020 ICSEA

Guilford Young College

Glenorchy, Hobart

$6.5k Y12 1017 ICSEA

Marian College Sunshine West

Sunshine West, Melbourne

$7.8k Y12 998 ICSEA

St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace

Spring Hill, Brisbane

$24.2k Y12

Trinity Catholic College Adamstown

Adamstown, Newcastle

$3.5k Y12

San Clemente Catholic College Mayfield

Mayfield, Newcastle

$3.5k Y12

St Mary Star of the Sea College

Wollongong, Wollongong

$10.8k Y12

Edmund Rice College Wollongong

West Wollongong, Wollongong

$11.2k Y12

Sacred Heart College Geelong

Newtown, Geelong

$5.1k Y12

St Joseph's College Geelong

Newtown, Geelong

$8.1k Y12

Saint Ignatius College Geelong

Drysdale, Geelong

$7.3k Y12

Clonard College Geelong

Herne Hill, Geelong

$4.8k Y12

O'Loughlin Catholic College

Karama, Darwin

$6.6k Y12

Common questions

FAQs about Catholic schools

What is a Catholic school?

Catholic schools split into two groups: (1) Catholic systemic — parish-run primary and secondary colleges, $4k–$10k, accessible to most Catholic families and many non-Catholic; (2) Catholic congregational/independent — Jesuit (Xavier, Riverview, Loyola), Christian Brothers (St Joseph's), Mercy, Loreto and others — $20k–$48k. Our database currently focuses on the congregational/independent tier.

How many Catholic private schools are in Australia?

Our database currently profiles 66 Catholic private schools across 11 Australian cities. Nationally there are more (especially Catholic systemic where ~700 parish schools exist); we focus on schools where 2026 fees + ICSEA are publishable.

What do Catholic schools cost in 2026?

2026 Year 12 fees for Catholic schools in our database range from $3,488 to $42,660. The median is around $13,180. Most also charge levies (technology, capital, camps) adding 8-15%.

Do Catholic schools offer boarding?

14 of 66 Catholic schools in our database offer boarding. Boarding fees add $25,000-$45,000/year on top of tuition.

When should I choose a Catholic school?

You're Catholic or value Catholic religious formation, want strong academics with service ethos, and can afford either systemic ($5k-$10k) or congregational ($25k-$45k) tier.