Private School Affordability Calculator (Australia 2026)

Financial planners typically recommend 25-30% of net household income as the maximum sustainable share for education costs (one child). For multiple children, 35-45% is the upper realistic limit. Above this, families often experience real financial strain — reduced retirement savings, deferred home maintenance, family stress. Some families happily spend higher proportions (40%+ for one child at elite schools), but this requires strong income + low other commitments.

You input household after-tax income + number of school-age children + total annual savings/investments + significant debt commitments. We calculate your "education budget" at three thresholds: comfortable (25%), stretched (30%), and strained (35%). Then we show which annual school fee ranges fit each threshold. Live data from 108 verified Australian private schools.

Because school fees are paid from after-tax income. A $200,000 gross income in Australia translates to roughly $148,000 after-tax (single income) or $165,000 (two incomes at $100k each due to lower marginal rates). The after-tax figure is what\'s actually available for spending — including school fees. Using gross income overstates affordability.

Yes — total household after-tax income matters. If one partner works full-time + other part-time, include both. If one partner stops work to manage children\'s schedule, use only the working partner\'s income for sustainability assessment. School fees should ideally be sustainable on the most reliable income stream.

Substantial scholarship reduces the effective fee. Use the NET fee after scholarship in your planning. Bursaries are need-based (means-tested) and can dramatically change affordability for income-constrained families. See our scholarship guide for application pathways. Don\'t assume scholarship — apply + plan based on the unsuccessful scenario.

Boarding adds $25,000-$45,000/year on top of tuition. For boarders, total annual cost is typically $65,000-$95,000/year. The 25-30% household income threshold for boarders typically requires $260,000+ after-tax household income for one child, or higher for multiple children. Boarding scholarships exist at many schools (especially regional) — apply early.

Generally no. Retirement savings compound for 20-40+ years and cannot be replaced once foregone — there\'s no "scholarship" for retirement. School fees are real costs for 6-13 years; missing 5-10 years of super contributions creates a $200,000-$500,000 retirement shortfall over a 30-year career. If choosing between private school + super: discuss with a financial planner first. Often a stretch private school is the wrong trade vs comfortable lifestyle + retirement.

Be conservative. Use 70-80% of your average 3-year income as the "stable" figure. Higher income years can be saved for fee buffer; lower years can be drawn from buffer. Many self-employed families pre-pay 12-18 months of fees during good years. Schools are generally accommodating about timing if you maintain communication.

ADF: Education Assistance Schemes provide up to $4,200/year toward private school fees for ADF families. State/federal public servants: various salary-sacrifice + tax-deductible arrangements exist but cap at a small percentage of fees. Don\'t over-rely on rebates for affordability — most cover 5-15% of fees, not the bulk.