Balancing costs and values: Catholic Schools address fee hikes

Despite the rising cost of living, families throughout the Archdiocese remain committed to prioritising Catholic education, even as secondary school fees increase across the board this year.

At St Mary MacKillop College, where fees were raised by 7% in 2025, principal Michael Lee said he was grateful for the strong trust that had been built between the school and its students’ families.

“Parents recognise that we are efficiently run and that we prioritise staffing and facilities that enhance learning,” he said.

“They like the fact that we have quality opportunities for all kinds of learners. They are attracted to the clear values and priorities of the school – to keep everybody safe, to provide high-quality learning and to provide opportunities for adolescents to know and love Jesus.”

The sharpest fee increase in the Archdiocese is at St John Paul II College in Nicholls, where Year 10 students will see a rise of up to 31% as the school moves to an all-inclusive fee structure.

“We have had some pushback, but I’m very clear to say we will not refuse any child a Catholic education based on inability to pay,” Principal Craig Wattam said.

“If you are suffering financially, of course we will help you out.”

At Merici College in Braddon, where fees have climbed 10%, principal Anna Masters said good communication with families was key.

“We deliberately kept it as low as we could, and we have had to look at it really carefully over the years as the funding from the government was reduced,” she said.

“Trust and communication, as well as an educated community who, on the whole, understand, means we have been very supported. We are very mindful of the cost-of-living pressures parents face, and unfortunately, college running costs are not immune to the same challenges.”

Mr Lee said that Commonwealth funding to Catholic schools in the ACT had declined significantly for several years under Gonski 2.0.

“We have to find that money somewhere because the school has to continue to run, and that can only be found by raising fees,” he said.

“While some of our families can easily afford that cost, many can’t. I find raising fees one of the greatest burdens of anxiety in my job.”

Mr Lee said being transparent with families meant parents always knew what they were getting in return for their fees.

“Our clear priorities are to keep everybody safe and provide high-quality learning,” he said.

“We have really invested in the calibre of our staff and the facilities.”

“People are investing in the culture, what the girls call ‘the vibe’ – it’s the feel of the place, the core values, and, of course, the results,” Mrs Masters said.

“That’s always going to be the bottom line in terms of education – is my child going to be able to flourish and follow the pathway that best suits them?”

Dr Wattam agreed, noting that parents choose Catholic schools first and foremost for the quality of education and care that was wrapped around each child.

“We get to know a family, and we welcome not just the child into our school but the family, so there is a real sense of belonging that a kid gets from coming here,” he said.

“Part of that is our commitment to our faith and the opportunity for a child to explore and deepen their spirituality and engage in a relationship with a God who knows them and loves them unconditionally.”

Dr Wattam said fees were an investment in the fabric of what the school could offer.

“We have just instituted a library in a school that was built without one. We are also improving safety with a perimeter fence around the school,” he said.

“We are promoting the safety and well-being of kids by investing in the campus, the maintenance of the campus and the opportunities that we provide for kids as well.”

Dr Wattaam said schools were juggling rising insurance costs, education costs, and increasing teacher wages.

“All these costs have to be met somehow in the wake of a reduced funding environment,” he said.

“It is a tricky balance.”

Mrs Masters said those choosing a Catholic education were choosing the education of the whole person.

“It comes from love. It’s heart and hands, working in partnership with you as a parent to help these wonderful young people nourish and flourish,” she said.

“That’s what people are prepared to spend their money on. They know it is a good investment.”