Catholic education leaders have moved to reassure families following the release of a national report that has raised concerns about the cost of schooling, emphasising that Catholic education remains both accessible and committed to supporting families, particularly during ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has cautioned that the Cost of Education Report 2026, published by Futurity Investment Group, presents a misleading picture of Catholic school fees, with projections based on limited data and assumptions that do not reflect the experience of most families.
According to the NCEC, the report relies on a small, non-representative sample of 2500 parents to estimate ancillary costs such as uniforms, technology and tutoring, then compounds those estimates over time to suggest dramatic long-term increases.
The NCEC suggested the figures lacked context and risk creating unnecessary alarm for parents considering the best educational pathway for their children.
While acknowledging that the cost of education is rising across all sectors, the NCEC said that was influenced by broader economic pressures including wages, insurance, compliance and the need to maintain safe, high-quality learning environments.
However, it stressed that fee increases in Catholic schools are consistent with those in other sectors and are closely linked to the real costs of delivering education, not inflated projections.
Importantly, Catholic schools continue to receive means-tested government funding, indexed to both the Consumer Price Index and Wage Price Index, recognising the rising costs of staffing and operations.
The NCEC has also welcomed the Federal Government’s ongoing review of the Schooling Resource Standard and the role of the Choice and Affordability Fund in protecting parental choice.
The call for clarity has been strongly supported by Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA), the national body representing Catholic school families. CSPA echoed the NCEC’s concerns, warning that reports based on limited or unrepresentative data risk undermining confidence in Catholic education.
CSPA Chair Andrea Obeyesekere emphasised that many of the costs highlighted in the report – including optional tutoring, extracurricular programs and additional services – vary significantly between schools and families and should not be interpreted as standard or expected expenses.
“Families should feel confident that Catholic education remains an accessible and affordable option,” Ms Obeyesekere said.
Both the NCEC and CSPA reaffirmed that Catholic education has a long history of walking alongside families, particularly those experiencing financial hardship. Across Australia, Catholic schools remain committed to ensuring that no child is denied access to education because of an inability to pay.
Families facing financial pressure are encouraged to speak directly with their school principals about options that may be available to them.
As families across Perth and Western Australia continue to navigate rising living costs, Catholic education leaders are urging parents to approach such alarming claims with care and to seek information from trusted sources.
Catholic education, they say, remains deeply connected to community, responsive to family needs, and committed to providing high-quality, values-based schooling that remains within reach for the families it serves.