School Fees in State Schools in Australia

A newspaper article caught my attention today with the heading:

Queensland state school parents hit with sky-high fees

I wondered if this was just newspaper sensationalism?

Article:
SOME state schools are collecting higher fees, charges and parent contributions than those in the Catholic sector, My School figures show.

New figures on the controversial My School website reveal state school Varsity College received $2.9 million in fees, charges and parent contributions in 2010. That’s about $1000 per student.

The Queensland Academy (QA) for Science, Mathematics and Technology (State) collected $3450 per student in fees, charges and parents’ contributions, while the QA for Creative Industries (State) received $4681 per pupil in 2010.

In comparison, St Paul’s Catholic Primary School (Private) at Woodridge received $164,869, or $714 per student, under the same category.

Holy Rosary School at Windsor (Private) received $47,620 in fees, charges and parents’ contributions – or $781 per student.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/state-school-parents-face-sky-high-fees/story-e6freon6-1226288888734

We have just transferred our daughter from Private to State based for year 11 and 12. The costs for year 11 in the state system, for her, are $255 for the year.
She is taking a hairdressing course during the year for 1 day per week, and that is an extra $320, but. as an optional extra for a Cert II course, it isn’t bad.

So, why are some State schools charging so much, and is this common for all State schools?

The state schools mentioned in the article are:

Queensland Academy (QA) for Science, Mathematics and Technology  A selective entry State school, not available for everyone, with entry by merit only, and NOT to be likened to the normal State schools that are open for all. The 2012 annual program fee of $1,801.00 (subject to CPI) applies for students enrolled in the Academies.

Queensland Academy (QA) for Science, Mathematics and Technology average funding per student:

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Education Category Advert

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$ 1,297 Australian Government recurrent funding
$11,551 State/Territory Government recurrent funding
$ 3,450 Fees, charges and parent contributions
$ 1,196 Other private sources
$17,494 Total gross income per student

Queensland Academy (QA) for Creative Industries average funding per student:

$ 1,332 Australian Government recurrent funding
$15,260 State/Territory Government recurrent funding
$ 4,681 Fees, charges and parent contributions
$ 1,419 Other private sources
$22,692 Total gross income per student

Varsity College appears to be a normal State School, and shows the average funding per student as:

$1,403 Australian Government recurrent funding
$6,552 State/Territory Government recurrent funding
$ 997 Fees, charges and parent contributions
$ 565 Other private sources
$9,517 Total gross income  per student

However, I notice that it does run many optional programs, and it allows PAYING International students to attend. This income from the International students appears to been averaged over all students, Domestic and International.
Therefore these “parent contributions” must be viewed with caution, as they probably do not relate closely to the local students costs.

St Paul’s Primary School, Woodridge is a Non-government school, with average funding per student of:

$6,988 Australian Government recurrent funding
$2,287 State/Territory Government recurrent funding
$ 714 Fees, charges and parent contributions
$ 245 Other private sources
$10,233 Total gross income  per student

Holy Rosary School,  Windsor is a Non-government school, and shows the  average funding per student as:

$15,333 Australian Government recurrent funding
$ 2,169 State/Territory Government recurrent funding
$ 781 Fees, charges and parent contributions
$ 449 Other private sources
$18,731 Total gross income  per student

Does your Child attend a State school in Australia?

How much are your annual fees, for standard schooling costs?