Secondary & sixth form international school fees in Melbourne (2026)

Melbourne's secondary market is built around its prestigious independent and grammar schools rather than a separate international school sector, because Australia teaches a high quality state curriculum and most international qualifications are delivered through the IB World Schools and senior secondary programmes inside those independents. At senior level families choose between the Victorian Certificate of Education, the VCE, and the IB Diploma, both widely recognised by universities. The premium grammar and IB schools sit at the top of the fee scale, an upper mid IB tier follows, and a broad mid and value tier of independent and faith based schools serves families on tighter budgets. International student fees are higher than the domestic figures shown here, so overseas families should confirm the international schedule directly with each school.

Melbourne secondary and sixth form fee bands 2026

The bands below are tuition only and follow the tier structure in our Melbourne fee research, with secondary and the senior VCE or IB Diploma years placed at the upper part of each school's range. These reflect domestic senior school fees. Treat them as planning ranges and confirm the international student schedule with the school, since overseas fees are higher. The exact fee depends on the school and whether the child is in middle years or the senior VCE or IB Diploma years, which sit highest.

School names indicate the fee tier and are illustrative, not a ranking. The senior VCE and IB Diploma years are the highest published fee at almost every Melbourne grammar and IB school, so a family entering at secondary should budget for a rising tuition line across the phase. The bands reflect domestic fees; international student fees are higher and should be confirmed with each school directly.

What drives the cost of a Melbourne secondary place

Three things move the senior number in Melbourne. The first is the school's standing and facilities, since the long established grammar schools with extensive campuses and co curricular programmes charge the most, while faith based and community independents charge far less. The second is the year group, where the senior VCE and IB Diploma years carry the highest tuition. The third is residency status, because international student fees sit above the domestic figures shown here, and fee inflation across Melbourne independents has run at several percent a year, so a place priced today will cost more across a full secondary stay.

Hidden costs beyond secondary tuition

Headline tuition is only part of the picture, and the senior years carry the heaviest add ons. The lines to plan for are an enrolment or application fee, a building or capital levy, uniform, which is significant at Melbourne grammar schools, laptops or devices, camps and residential programmes, music and sport, and for IB Diploma students the external examination entries in the final two years. International families also budget for the higher overseas student tuition and any required cover. Our Melbourne fees guide sets out the line items in full and the Melbourne primary fees page covers the lower stages, while the relocation cost calculator places them inside a complete family budget. To weigh Melbourne against another posting, the fee comparison tool models several cities at once, and verified parent perspectives will appear on Melbourne international school reviews as they arrive.

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