Despite soaring fees, Melbourne's private and Catholic schools are more in demand than ever – but why?
February 23, 2026 — 12:05pm
In a surprising twist, skyrocketing fees at private and Catholic schools across Victoria haven't stopped families from enrolling their children in Year 7. In fact, many schools are seeing their highest intake numbers ever. But here's where it gets controversial: while elite schools like Caulfield Grammar and Haileybury – where fees jumped over 4% this year – have seen growth, it's the lower- and mid-fee schools that are truly booming.
Explore the data yourself: Compare Year 7 enrolments at Victorian schools from 2020 to 2025 using our interactive table [link: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/200-of-the-best-victoria-s-naplan-star-primary-and-secondary-schools-revealed-20241204-p5kvpm.html]. (Note: Schools without Year 7 offerings in 2020 are not included.)
The Age's analysis of Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (ACARA) data reveals a striking trend: two-thirds of Victoria's 222 private and Catholic high schools have experienced significant growth in Year 7 enrolments over the past five years. This mirrors a national shift, with a slight increase in students opting for non-government education. ACARA figures show that in Victoria, around 43% of secondary students now attend non-government schools, a rise of less than 1 percentage point since 2020.
Leading the charge is St Francis Catholic College in Melton, which has seen the most dramatic growth in Year 7 enrolments since 2020. Principal Marlene Jorgensen attributes this success to the school's response to the influx of families moving to the area. The demand was so high that the school, established over four decades ago, opened a second campus in nearby Cobblebank in 2023.
"It's about location and demographics, but we also offer an excellent education," Jorgensen explains. "Families who choose our school share our values of equity, access, and individuality."
St Francis is walking a fine line, striving to provide a high-quality education and a strong sense of community while keeping fees manageable – currently $5,269 for Year 7 students – and expanding its infrastructure to accommodate an additional 1,000 students by the end of the decade.
"Our core principle is to offer quality education at affordable prices, ensuring equity and access," Jorgensen emphasizes. "While we're growing rapidly, we remain in a low socio-economic area."
St Francis isn't alone. Other non-government schools in growth suburbs, such as Hume Anglican Grammar in Mickleham, Marymede Catholic College in South Morang, and Iona College Geelong in Charlemont, have also seen enrolments surge.
But this trend isn't limited to growth corridors. Mentone Grammar, an independent school, has experienced sustained enrolment growth. In 2025, the co-ed school had 2,008 students, up from 1,375 a decade earlier, ranking it ninth in the state for Year 7 intake growth over the past five years.
"We've grown from a mid-sized school to a large one over the last decade," says Mentone Grammar principal Andy Müller. However, he stresses that further expansion isn't the goal. "Overcrowding would compromise the quality of education we provide. It's not about quantity but about maintaining excellence."
With fees at $36,433 for Year 7 students – a 9.5% increase since 2024 – Müller believes the school remains affordable for many local families. "Our fees are 20% lower than some of the more affluent eastern suburbs schools," he notes.
Müller attributes the school's appeal to its holistic approach to education. "While academic excellence is our foundation, we focus on developing the whole person. We offer a wide range of activities, allowing students to discover their passions. It's not an either-or proposition."
Interestingly, ACARA data shows that 180 out of 312 government schools recorded fewer Year 7 enrolments in 2025 compared to 2020. However, the overall number of Year 7 students in government schools increased, partly due to surging enrolments in growth areas.
In the western metropolitan area, schools like Western Heights Secondary College in Geelong (+135 Year 7 students), Staughton College in Melton (+114), and Alamanda K–9 College in Point Cook (+128) have seen significant growth.
A Victorian government spokesperson highlights the popularity of government schools, stating, "Victorian public schools are the best in the country, with top academic results, student wellbeing support, and extracurricular activities. Labor's investment in 100 new schools and over 2,300 upgrades ensures every child, regardless of location, has access to world-class education."
But what does this mean for the future of education in Victoria? As private and Catholic schools continue to grow, will government schools be able to maintain their appeal? And is the focus on affordability and accessibility in non-government schools a sustainable model? We want to hear your thoughts – share your opinions in the comments below. Don't miss out on the day's most important stories and insights – sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter [link: https://www.theage.com.au/newsletter-signup?newsletter=am&utmsource=EditorialArticle&utmmedium=ArticleText&utm_campaign=Newsletters].
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