Catholic Education South Australia endeavours to support families at all times and, particularly, during the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic is presenting.
With that in mind, the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools has announced that it will make Catholic education more accessible and affordable by lowering the school fees of every Catholic parish primary school in the state in 2021, under its Making Catholic Education more Affordable initiative.
“The great news for families is that we’re guaranteeing that the school fees of each Catholic primary school in 2021 will be lower than this year’s fees,” says Catholic Education SA Director, Dr Neil McGoran.
“This decision is the result of an extensive analysis of the financial position of our schools and parents’ capacity to pay fees.”
The fee reductions will be calculated on a school-by-school basis. It will take into account each school’s circumstances and family needs.
The Commission has also decided that each primary school is to move to a simpler fee structure rather than a combination of different levies. The purpose of this is to give a clearer and more predictable picture of your school's total fees.
In addition, each school will introduce a lower fee for families on low income to reinforce the absolute priority that Catholic Education is accessible to all families.
Please take a look at our Parent Q and A below or talk directly with your school principal to find out more about the situation at your school.
All Diocesan Catholic primary schools are included:
You can expect a formal announcement of the revised school fee in your child’s school before the end of Term 3, 2020.
Many schools currently have a range of levies and charges.
From 2021 each Catholic parish primary school is to move to a simpler fee structure rather than a combination of different levies. This is to give a clearer and more predictable picture of your school’s total fees.
Each school will introduce a much lower fee for families on low income who quality for it, to reinforce the absolute priority that Catholic Education is accessible to all families.
Exact fees for each school will be released by the end of Term 3, 2020.
Any family who is eligible for school card will be able to access the lower-income fee.
Schools will consider each individual family’s financial situation and will continue to be generous with fee remissions.
No. There will be no compromise on the quality of your child’s education.
The CESA Making Catholic Education more Affordable initiative begins in 2021.
It will be a staged process over the coming 2-3 years:
During 2021-2022, the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools will work in partnership with separately governed schools and authorities to explore fee reductions.
The new fees will apply from Term 1, 2021.
Please talk directly with your school principal to find out more about the situation at your school.
