Most Australian students go to a government school. The rest go to Catholic or independent schools, which charge fees and are often called private or non-government schools. Each sector has excellent schools, and the right choice depends on your child and your family more than on the sector.
Government schools
Government schools are run by the state or territory education department. Tuition is free for Australian citizens and permanent residents, although most schools ask for a voluntary contribution and charge for some materials, excursions and camps.
Most government schools have a local enrolment area, and students who live inside it are guaranteed a place. Some offer selective, specialist or special-interest programs with their own entry process. You can browse government schools by state, for example government schools in New South Wales.
Catholic schools
Catholic schools are the largest group of non-government schools. Most primary schools and many secondary schools are run by a diocesan Catholic education office; others are run by religious orders. Fees are usually lower than at independent schools because the system pools funding across its schools.
Catholic schools generally give priority to Catholic families and to siblings of current students, but most also enrol families of other faiths or none. Our guide to Catholic schools in Australia explains enrolment priorities and fees.
Independent schools
Independent schools are run by their own boards. They include long-established grammar and church schools (Anglican, Uniting, Lutheran and others), Christian, Islamic and Jewish schools, Steiner and Montessori schools, and community schools. Fees vary a great deal, from modest amounts at some low-fee schools to large sums at some city schools.
Most independent schools set their own entry process: an application fee, an interview, sometimes an assessment, and for popular schools a waiting list that families join years in advance.
How the money works
All three sectors receive public funding, from both the Commonwealth and the states, but in different proportions. Non-government schools also rely on fees, and the government funding they receive is reduced according to how much their families can afford to pay. Our guide to school fees and funding explains the model in plain English.
How to decide
Our school pages describe every school in the same plain way, whatever its sector, so you can compare like with like.
- Start with your local government school: visit it before you assume you need to pay.
- If you are considering fees, add up every year your child would be there, plus the extras.
- Compare schools that serve similar families. My School shows results alongside ICSEA.
- Ask about scholarships, bursaries and sibling discounts. Many schools offer more help than they advertise.
Common questions
- Are government schools free in Australia?
- Tuition is free at government schools for Australian citizens and permanent residents. Schools usually ask for a voluntary contribution and charge for some materials, excursions, camps and uniforms. Some temporary visa holders pay fees, depending on the state and visa.
- Do I have to be Catholic to go to a Catholic school?
- No. Catholic schools usually give priority to Catholic families and siblings, but most also enrol students of other faiths or none. Students take part in religious education and the school's religious life, so ask the school what that involves.
- What is the difference between Catholic and independent schools?
- Most Catholic schools belong to a diocesan system that pools funding and sets fees across many schools, so fees are often lower. Independent schools are each run by their own board, set their own fees and admissions, and vary widely in size, religion and approach.
- Do non-government schools get government funding?
- Yes. Catholic and independent schools receive Commonwealth and state funding, most of it from the Commonwealth. The amount depends partly on an assessment of how much the school's families can contribute, so schools serving wealthier families receive less per student.
Sources
We check guides against official sources. Rules can change, and some details vary by area, so check with the source before you act.
Last updated 1 November 2026.