Catholic schools are free to set their own fee structures, discounts and other compulsory charges, with fees ranging from $6000 to more than $40,000 across the state.

A sample of fee increases of 15, low, middle and high-fee Catholic schools around Melbourne shows an average increase of 10.5 per cent, more than twice the average increases in the broader independent sector, and nearly three times the annual rate of inflation.

In its 2026 fee notice, Aquinas College told parents that price increases were driven by shortfalls in government funding, finance costs for the college’s ambitious building project, and inflationary pressures on energy, staff, travel costs, insurance and government expenses.

Aquinas referred inquiries to Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) administrative body, which said the college’s fees remained, even after the increases, below the average across Melbourne.

But families, who had to confirm their children’s 2026 enrolments in August, are unhappy with the explanations on offer for the sharp price increases after being notified about the rise last week. The delay in advising parents means that it is too late to un-enrol their children without facing fees.

One parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the Aquinas community as being “in a state of uproar”, saying: “In line with the college motto ‘Illuminare et Ardere’ (to light up and be on fire), the parents are lit up and burning with rage.”

“It is unfortunate that the college appears to be abandoning its Catholic ethos of compassion and service to families, loss of community spirit, and are out-of-touch with the pressures many families are facing in the current economy,” they said.

In a statement provided to The Age, a MACS spokesperson said: “Like all Catholic and non-government schools, we rely on parent contributions to bridge the growing gap in government funding, and to fund critical infrastructure upgrades.

“We are acutely conscious of the financial pressures facing working families, and the need to balance this with ensuring the immediate and long-term financial sustainability of our schools.

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“Our schools look at each family’s circumstances individually and often provide support where necessary to ensure continuity of education and care.”

The 2026 school fees at Aquinas College remain below the average annual tuition fees for Catholic secondary schools in greater Melbourne which, in turn, remain some of the most affordable in Australia.

There are 493 Catholic schools across the state that enrol 218,000 students, who make up a fifth of the state’s school students.