How much do international schools cost in Australia in 2026?

Sydney holds most of the visible international and bilingual campuses, including International Grammar School (IGS) in Ultimo, plus German and Japanese international schools. Published planning guides for 2026 place IGS-style tuition roughly in the mid A$20,000s to high A$30,000s across primary and secondary bands, with flatter curves than many Australian independents. Top eastern-suburbs and harbour independents that combine HSC and IB pathways, such as Kambala in Rose Bay, publish senior international or boarding-linked tuition near the high A$40,000s (AEAS listings cite about A$47,000–48,800 for Years 7–12 tuition, with boarding billed separately when used). Always open the live fee PDF on the school site before you budget.

Melbourne’s market is dominated by large independents rather than a dense foreign-curriculum strip. Senior-year tuition at flagship grammar and co-ed campuses commonly lands from the high A$30,000s into about A$50,000 for Year 12, with mid-tier IB and faith-based schools often in the mid A$20,000s to low A$30,000s. Overseas-fee categories and capital levies can sit on top. Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra offer fewer full-fee international campuses; many families use strong state or independent day schools instead: Sydney cost of living and Melbourne cost of living.

Let the campus lead the postcode. An Ultimo IGS commute is not a Rose Bay independent commute, and neither matches a Melbourne eastern-suburbs grammar run. Add fees into Monthly budget as an annual cash-flow item, not a surprise after the lease clears. Before school age, price ECE separately: Childcare costs.

Children who need EAL/D support in state schools face a different invoice and enrolment path: Children school without English. Parent community often forms at the school gate: Expat families community. City shortlist context: Where to live in Australia and Canberra cost of living.