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The primary fee range in Sydney
Sydney's school market is dominated by independent (non-government) schools rather than dedicated international schools, though a few of the latter add a layer. The premium independents, such as The King's School, Knox Grammar, Sydney Grammar, SCEGGS, Cranbrook and Riverview, sit at AUD 38,000 to AUD 48,000 a year, with primary at the lower end. International schools such as the International Grammar School, the German International School Sydney and the Sydney Japanese School add another premium-priced option. Beneath them, a broad mid and faith-based field runs from around AUD 8,000. Crucially, NSW public schools are free for permanent residents and citizens, while temporary-visa families pay a set primary fee. For the full context see our Sydney international school fees guide.
2026 primary fee table by tier
The bands below are tied to our Sydney international school fees analysis. They show annual tuition at primary; secondary rises into the upper end. Treat the figures as bands. exact fees vary by school and by visa class.
| Tier | Annual tuition (AUD) | Annual tuition (USD) | Example schools (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium independent | AUD 38,000 - 48,000 | USD 24,500 - 31,000 | The King's School, Knox Grammar, Sydney Grammar, SCEGGS, Cranbrook, Riverview, International Grammar School |
| Upper-mid | AUD 22,000 - 34,000 | USD 14,000 - 22,000 | Mid independents, German International School Sydney, Sydney Japanese School |
| Mid and faith | AUD 8,000 - 20,000 | USD 5,200 - 13,000 | Lower-fee independents and faith-based primaries |
| NSW public (temporary visa) | AUD 6,500 - 7,000 | USD 4,200 - 4,500 | Set primary fee. free for permanent residents and citizens |
Named schools are illustrative of each tier and do not imply a published primary fee. Public school fees apply only to children on temporary visas. Always confirm current figures with the school or NSW Department of Education.
Enrolment, lunch, bus and other primary costs
Total cost-of-place adds 10 to 18 per cent to headline fees at the independents. The bands below are 2026 figures from our Sydney fees analysis.
| Cost item | Typical band (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building fund or capital levy | AUD 1,500 - 3,500 | Per year. typically tax-deductible in Australia |
| Uniform | AUD 600 - 1,400 | Per year for a growing primary child |
| School bus where offered | AUD 2,000 - 3,500 | Per year. not all schools run one |
| Trips and activities | AUD 500 - 2,000 | Per year at primary, higher in senior years |
| Public school extras | AUD 200 - 600 | Voluntary contributions, much lower than independents |
The building fund is a defining Sydney line item and is usually tax-deductible, which softens the effective cost for taxpaying families. Public schools carry far lower extras than the independents.
What drives the cost
The single biggest driver of Sydney primary cost is visa class. Temporary-visa holders on classes such as the 482 pay NSW public school fees of around AUD 6,500 to AUD 7,000 for primary, while permanent residents and citizens get the same public education free. That means two families at the same school gate can face completely different bills. Beyond visa, the usual drivers apply: the prestige and facilities of the premium independents, which command the top band, and fee inflation, which ran around 5 per cent at the independents and 4 to 5 per cent at public schools for temporary-visa holders into 2026. A senior corporate hire on a temporary visa should model the public option carefully before assuming an independent is necessary.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Beyond tuition, the defining Sydney extra is the building fund or capital levy, an annual contribution at the independents that is typically tax-deductible in Australia, followed by uniform, bus where offered and trips. Senior-year wilderness and service programmes lift the trip line sharply later, but at primary it stays modest. The real hidden variable, though, is visa status: it determines whether the public system is free or carries a set fee, and it can swing the practical cost of schooling by tens of thousands of dollars a year. Confirm your visa class and its school-fee treatment before you budget.
Compare Sydney with other cities
Primary tuition is only the entry point. Before you commit, model the full multi-year cost and compare Sydney against the other cities on your shortlist with our international school fees comparison tool. You can also size up the wider relocation budget with the relocation cost calculator or narrow your options with the school finder quiz.
Compare Sydney primary fees side by side
See how Sydney stacks up against every other city for primary, with all-in costs not just headline tuition.
Open the fees comparison toolSydney primary fees: FAQ
Banded annual tuition at the independent and international schools runs from roughly AUD 8,000 (USD 5,200) to AUD 48,000 (USD 31,000), with the premium independents at AUD 38,000 to AUD 48,000. Temporary-visa families using NSW public schools pay around AUD 6,500 to AUD 7,000 for primary, and permanent residents pay nothing. Figures are 2026 bands; confirm with each school.
It depends on visa class. Children on temporary visas such as the 482 pay a set NSW public school fee of around AUD 6,500 to AUD 7,000 a year for primary. Permanent residents and citizens attend public school free. Some visa classes are exempt, so check your specific class with the NSW Department of Education.
Yes. At the independents primary tuition sits at the lower end of each school’s band, with secondary rising into the upper end. Public school fees for temporary-visa holders are also lower at primary (around AUD 6,500 to 7,000) than at secondary (around AUD 7,500 to 8,500).
At the independents, beyond tuition expect the building fund or capital levy (AUD 1,500 to 3,500, usually tax-deductible), uniform (AUD 600 to 1,400), bus where offered (AUD 2,000 to 3,500) and trips. Extras add 10 to 18 per cent on top of fees. Public schools have far lower extras of AUD 200 to 600.