In this guide
Primary fee range at a glance
Melbourne works differently from most expat cities. There are few schools that call themselves international, because Australia runs a strong state and Catholic system and a large independent private sector, and global curricula are delivered mainly through IB World Schools and the established grammar schools rather than standalone international campuses. International families therefore compare private day school fees and IB provision. Primary tuition, shown as the Prep and early years figure, sits well below the senior years. Bands below are 2026 estimates in Australian dollars tied to our Melbourne fees report.
Primary fee table by tier
| Tier | Annual primary tuition | Typical schools |
|---|---|---|
| Premium grammar | AUD 32,000 to 36,000 | Melbourne Grammar, Geelong Grammar, Scotch College |
| Upper mid / IB | AUD 28,000 to 31,000 | Wesley College (IB), MLC and PLC, Haileybury |
| Mid | AUD 22,500 to 27,500 | Carey Baptist Grammar, Tintern Grammar, Mount Scopus Memorial College |
| Value / faith and community | AUD 8,000 to 20,000 | Catholic and lower fee independent primaries |
Bands are 2026 estimates in Australian dollars for the Prep and early primary years, tied to our Melbourne fees report. Senior years cost considerably more. Named schools are illustrative of each tier.
Added and one-off costs
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application / enrolment | AUD 200 to 400 per application | One-off, non-refundable |
| Confirmation / acceptance deposit | AUD 1,200 to 3,500 | Sometimes credited to first term |
| Building or capital levy | AUD 1,000 to 2,500 per year | Charged by many private schools |
| Uniform | AUD 600 to 1,500 | Higher in first year |
| International student surcharge | Varies; visa dependent | Some schools charge full fee paying overseas students more |
What drives the cost
Melbourne primary fees are driven first by the type of school. The historic grammar schools and the established IB World Schools price at the top because of their facilities, reputation and small classes, while Catholic and community primaries cost a fraction of that. The second driver is curriculum, with IB Primary Years Programme schools attractive to globally mobile families who want continuity, often at a premium over the standard Victorian curriculum. The third is visa status, because some schools charge full fee paying overseas students on temporary visas more than domestic families, and public school places for temporary visa holders can carry a separate government set fee.
There is no private school VAT or equivalent in Australia, so the headline figure is closer to the real tuition than in markets like the United Kingdom, but the capital levy and any international student surcharge still need adding in.
Compare primary fees across cities
Put Melbourne primary fees next to other host cities and curricula side by side before you commit.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Beyond tuition, Melbourne families should budget for several extras. Application or enrolment runs AUD 200 to 400 and is non-refundable, a confirmation or acceptance deposit of AUD 1,200 to 3,500 is common and sometimes credited to the first term, and many private schools charge an annual building or capital levy of AUD 1,000 to 2,500. Uniform adds AUD 600 to 1,500 with the heaviest spend in the first year. The most important variable for expat families is visa status, because temporary visa holders may pay an international student surcharge or, in the public system, a government set overseas student fee that should be checked before enrolling.
Compare primary fees
Melbourne primary fees sit below the very top of the global range but match other major private school cities, and the absence of a tuition tax keeps the headline figure honest. Use our compare fees tool to put Melbourne next to other host cities, and read the full Melbourne school fees breakdown for the senior picture.
FAQ
How much is primary international school in Melbourne? Primary international school fees in Melbourne run from about AUD 22,500 a year at mid tier private primaries to AUD 32,000 to 36,000 at premium grammar and IB schools for 2026, with Catholic and community primaries considerably cheaper. Australia teaches a state curriculum, so international families usually choose private and IB schools.
Are there international schools in Melbourne? Few schools in Melbourne use the international school label, because Australia runs strong state, Catholic and independent systems. Global curricula are delivered mainly through IB World Schools such as Wesley College and the established grammar schools rather than standalone international campuses.
Do expat families on temporary visas pay more in Melbourne? Sometimes. Some private schools charge full fee paying overseas students on temporary visas more than domestic families, and the public system can apply a government set overseas student fee for temporary visa holders. Always check visa based charges before enrolling.
Which Melbourne schools offer an IB primary education? Several Melbourne schools run the IB Primary Years Programme, including Wesley College among the well known IB providers. The grammar schools and a number of independents offer it, usually at a premium over the standard Victorian curriculum. School names here are illustrative of the market.
What extra costs apply to Melbourne private primaries? Beyond tuition, budget for application of AUD 200 to 400, a confirmation deposit of AUD 1,200 to 3,500, an annual building or capital levy of AUD 1,000 to 2,500, uniform of AUD 600 to 1,500, and any international student surcharge that applies to your visa status.