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Updated for 2026. Choosing a private school in Perth means weighing fees, gender mix, religious affiliation, scholarship pathways, and how each school sets students up for WACE or the IB. This guide covers Perth's most-asked-about private schools — Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch College, Wesley College, MLC, St Hilda's, Penrhos, Aquinas, Trinity, Iona Presentation, Mercedes College, John XXIII, and Newman — plus the Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, and independent splits parents most often weigh up.
Quick answer
There is no single "best" private school in Perth — there are about a dozen well-regarded options, and the right one depends on whether your family wants single-sex or co-educational, an Anglican, Catholic, Uniting Church, or non-denominational identity, day-only or boarding, and a WACE-only pathway or both WACE and the International Baccalaureate. Tuition tends to sit between A$20,000 and A$38,000 a year for senior years at the larger independent schools, with Catholic systemic schools usually lower. Most schools offer academic, music, and equity scholarships from Years 5, 7, or 10. The decision is rarely about a school being "best" outright; it is about fit, fees you can sustain across the full schooling stretch, and whether the WACE or IB pathway suits your child.
What are the best private school choices in Perth?
Perth's most consistently shortlisted private schools sit across three broad camps. The independent (non-systemic) schools — including Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch College, Wesley College, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, St Mary's Anglican, and Penrhos College — are the largest, oldest, and best resourced, with tuition usually in the A$30,000–A$38,000 range for senior years. The Catholic non-systemic schools — Aquinas College, Trinity College, Iona Presentation, Mercedes College, John XXIII College, and Newman College — typically run A$15,000–A$24,000 and are a popular middle option for Catholic families wanting more than the systemic CEWA fee. Catholic systemic schools (run by Catholic Education WA) often sit between A$5,000 and A$10,000. There is no single "top" school; parents who shortlist well usually pick four to six and judge them on open-day feel, fit, and how each one talks about pastoral care and pathways.
How much do Perth private schools cost?
Perth private-school tuition spans a wide band. Senior-years tuition at the largest independent schools (Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, Wesley) usually sits between A$30,000 and A$38,000 a year. Mid-tier non-systemic Catholic schools (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman) run between A$15,000 and A$24,000. Catholic systemic schools — run by Catholic Education WA — typically charge A$5,000–A$10,000. Most schools also charge a one-off enrolment or confirmation fee (A$1,500–A$5,000), an annual capital levy (A$1,500–A$3,000), and extras for laptops, uniforms, and co-curricular trips. Boarding adds A$25,000–A$32,000 on top of tuition. Always check the current fee schedule on the school's website — published fees update each November for the following year.
| School (senior years, day) | Type | Approx 2026 tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Christ Church Grammar | Independent Anglican (boys) | ~A$36,000 |
| Hale School | Independent Uniting (boys) | ~A$34,000 |
| Scotch College Perth | Independent Uniting (boys) | ~A$36,000 |
| Wesley College Perth | Independent Uniting (boys + co-ed senior) | ~A$32,000 |
| MLC Perth | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$32,000 |
| St Hilda's Anglican | Independent Anglican (girls) | ~A$33,000 |
| St Mary's Anglican | Independent Anglican (girls) | ~A$30,000 |
| PLC Perth | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$30,000 |
| Penrhos College | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$28,000 |
| Aquinas College | Independent Catholic (boys) | ~A$24,000 |
| Trinity College | Independent Catholic (boys) | ~A$20,000 |
| John XXIII College | Independent Catholic (co-ed) | ~A$22,000 |
| Iona Presentation | Independent Catholic (girls) | ~A$22,000 |
| Mercedes College Perth | Independent Catholic (girls) | ~A$18,000 |
| Newman College | Independent Catholic (co-ed) | ~A$18,000 |
Figures are indicative for 2026 senior-year day tuition only. Always cross-check on the school's website before budgeting; published fees move every November.
Are Perth private school fees worth it?
"Worth it" is a family-by-family question. The case for the top end of the Perth private market is smaller class sizes (often 18–22 in senior years versus 26–30 in many public schools), strong alumni and university-pathway networks, polished pastoral care systems, and broad co-curricular programs — particularly in music, debating, and rowing. The case against is the cost: A$30,000+ a year across thirteen years of schooling is more than A$390,000 before extras, and many Perth families get strong outcomes from public schools or mid-tier Catholic schools at a fraction of the price. A useful test is to ask whether you can sustain the full fee across primary AND secondary without cutting other family priorities, because pulling a child out mid-secondary for cost reasons is the worst-case outcome. If finance is tight in any year of the plan, a mid-tier Catholic school or a well-regarded public school plus targeted tutoring is often the better long-term fit.
What is the difference between Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, and independent Perth schools?
Perth's private schools split into four broad religious-and-governance camps. Anglican schools (Christ Church Grammar, St Hilda's, St Mary's Anglican, Guildford Grammar) follow Church of England traditions, run a chapel and chaplaincy program, and welcome students of any faith. Catholic non-systemic schools (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman) operate independently of the Catholic Education WA system but follow Catholic ethos, run weekly mass and religious-education classes, and prioritise Catholic-baptised students. Uniting Church schools (Hale, Scotch, Wesley, MLC, PLC, Penrhos) follow Uniting tradition and tend to be the largest, most-resourced independent schools in Perth. Non-denominational independent schools (All Saints' College, Perth College — formally Anglican but day-school in feel) emphasise pluralism. The day-to-day practical difference is small for non-religious families: chapel and religious education are present at all faith schools, but compulsory attendance and depth of religious instruction vary. Visit two contrasting open days to feel the difference.
What are the best Perth private schools for boys, girls, and co-ed?
Perth has a stronger single-sex tradition than most Australian capitals. The most-shortlisted boys' schools are Christ Church Grammar (Claremont), Hale (Wembley Downs), Scotch College (Swanbourne), Aquinas College (Manning), and Trinity College (East Perth). The most-shortlisted girls' schools are St Hilda's (Mosman Park), St Mary's Anglican (Karrinyup), MLC (Claremont), PLC (Peppermint Grove), Penrhos (Como), Iona Presentation (Mosman Park), and Mercedes College (Perth city). The strongest co-educational private options are Wesley College (South Perth — boys K–6, co-ed senior years), All Saints' College (Bull Creek), John XXIII College (Mount Claremont), and Newman College (Churchlands). Single-sex versus co-ed is more about family preference than measurable academic outcome — research finds at most small differences, and fit-with-the-individual-child matters more than the structural choice.
How do I get my child into Christ Church Grammar, Hale, or Scotch?
The three most-asked-about Perth boys' schools all use waitlist-based enrolment, and the practical advice is the same: register early. Christ Church Grammar, Hale, and Scotch typically suggest registering an Expression of Interest as soon as a child is born or shortly after — popular intake years (Pre-Primary, Year 5, Year 7) often have waitlists 5–10 years deep at peak. Each school then runs a Confirmation interview around 18–24 months before the intake year, and family interviews assess fit rather than running entrance exams. Sibling priority is significant; family connection (parent or sibling alumni) helps but is not deciding. Scholarship-stream entry runs separately on academic, music, sport, or all-rounder testing in Year 4 (for Year 5 entry), Year 6 (for Year 7), and Year 9 (for Year 10). If your child is not yet on a waitlist and is approaching the most-contested intake years, request a meeting with the registrar — late-stage spots do open through family relocations.
What scholarships are available at Perth private schools?
Most Perth private schools run scholarship rounds and some bursary (means-tested) support, with intake commonly in Year 5, Year 7, and Year 10. The four most common scholarship streams are: Academic (sit at the school's testing day or via the AAS Scholarship Test), Music (audition + practical), Sport / All-rounder (combination of academic, sport, and leadership), and Indigenous (separate stream — most major schools partner with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation). Award sizes vary widely: a 25–50% tuition discount is typical for academic scholarships at Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, and St Hilda's; full-fee scholarships exist but are rare. Means-tested bursaries are usually need-based and confidential — apply directly to the school's enrolment office. Application timelines run 12–18 months before the intake year; most close in March or April. Check the school's scholarship page each January for the current year's deadlines.
What is WACE and how do private schools prepare students for it?
WACE — the Western Australian Certificate of Education — is the senior-school qualification awarded by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) to Year 12 students in WA. It is the WA equivalent of the HSC (NSW) or VCE (Victoria), and is used to calculate ATAR for university entry. Students complete four to six ATAR or General courses across Years 11 and 12, sit external SCSA exams in November of Year 12 for ATAR courses, and need to meet literacy and numeracy benchmarks (the OLNA — Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment — or Band 8+ on the Year 9 NAPLAN). Perth private schools generally support WACE strongly: smaller senior classes, dedicated WACE study programs, mock exams, and structured revision in Term 3. Several larger independents — Christ Church Grammar, Wesley, Scotch, MLC, PLC — also offer the IB Diploma as a parallel pathway, which appeals to families considering overseas universities. The WACE-versus-IB choice should match your child's preferred examination style: WACE is course-based and externally examined; the IB requires six subjects plus a research essay and CAS hours.
When should we apply, and what is the open-day cycle?
Perth private-school open days cluster in Term 1 (February to early April) and Term 3 (August to September). The earliest sensible time to register an Expression of Interest is shortly after birth, and the latest realistic window for popular intake years is two to three years before the child starts. Applications for Pre-Primary or Kindergarten intake usually close 18 months before the year of entry; Year 5, Year 7, and Year 10 (the main secondary intake points) close 12–18 months before. Tour dates are listed on each school's website, but informal weekday tours with the registrar often give a more honest feel for daily life than a polished open-day weekend. Take the child to the open day if they are old enough — fit-with-the-child is the single biggest predictor of a successful enrolment and is hard to assess from a brochure.
How can a tutor help with the private-school transition?
A targeted Perth tutor helps with three specific stress points families hit during a private-school journey: scholarship-test preparation in Year 4, 6, and 9; pace-matching after a mid-year transfer (the workload step-up at most independents catches new students out in the first term); and WACE / IB exam preparation in Year 11 and 12. Tutero matches Perth families with one-on-one online tutors at A$65 an hour with no contracts and no lock-in — same rate across primary, lower secondary, and senior years. The biggest gains usually come from a six- to ten-week block of weekly sessions targeted at a specific outcome (a scholarship test sitting, a Term 1 catch-up, a WACE mock exam) rather than open-ended ongoing support. Find a Perth tutor if your child is approaching a transition point — most Perth families book three to four weeks before the test date or term start.
What are the disadvantages of Perth private schools?
Three real disadvantages are worth weighing before committing. First, cost compounds: A$30,000+ a year across thirteen years means more than A$390,000 before extras like laptops, camps, and overseas trips, and pulling a child out mid-secondary for fee reasons is more disruptive than starting at a strong public school. Second, peer-group homogeneity: high-fee private schools draw a narrower socioeconomic range, which is something some families value and others do not. Third, distance and commute: the largest Perth independents cluster in Claremont, Swanbourne, Mosman Park, and Wembley Downs — families east of the river or in northern outer suburbs face an hour-plus daily commute, which adds pressure across thirteen years. None of these are deal-breakers, but they are the questions that come up most often in family debriefs after the first term. The right test is whether the school's strengths still outweigh these costs in Year 9 and Year 11, not just in the open-day glow of Year 5.
Related reading
- Best public schools in Perth — the public-school sister listicle for Perth families weighing both options.
- Finding the right tutor in Perth — how to choose a Perth tutor for scholarship prep, transfers, or WACE.
- Choosing the right school in 6 steps — a structured checklist for any school decision.
- 4 reasons to consider changing your child's school — when transferring is the right call.
- 5 key benefits of private tutoring — when one-on-one support compounds the school choice.
The bottom line
There is no universal "best" private school in Perth. The right call depends on whether your family wants single-sex or co-ed, an Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, or non-denominational identity, a fee level you can sustain across thirteen years, and a WACE-only or WACE-plus-IB pathway. Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, and Wesley sit at the top of the independent fee band; Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, and Newman are popular Catholic alternatives at roughly two-thirds of the cost. Visit at least four open days, register Expressions of Interest early for popular intake years, and ask about scholarships in January or February of the year before entry. If your child is approaching a scholarship test, mid-year transfer, or the WACE / IB pathway, a focused block of one-on-one tutoring during the transition is usually the single best lever a family has.
Ready to find a Perth tutor for your child?
Browse Perth tutors — A$65 an hour, no contracts, primary through Year 12.
There is no universal 'best' private school in Perth — the right pick is whatever sustains across thirteen years for your family.
There is no universal 'best' private school in Perth — the right pick is whatever sustains across thirteen years for your family.
Updated for 2026. Choosing a private school in Perth means weighing fees, gender mix, religious affiliation, scholarship pathways, and how each school sets students up for WACE or the IB. This guide covers Perth's most-asked-about private schools — Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch College, Wesley College, MLC, St Hilda's, Penrhos, Aquinas, Trinity, Iona Presentation, Mercedes College, John XXIII, and Newman — plus the Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, and independent splits parents most often weigh up.
Quick answer
There is no single "best" private school in Perth — there are about a dozen well-regarded options, and the right one depends on whether your family wants single-sex or co-educational, an Anglican, Catholic, Uniting Church, or non-denominational identity, day-only or boarding, and a WACE-only pathway or both WACE and the International Baccalaureate. Tuition tends to sit between A$20,000 and A$38,000 a year for senior years at the larger independent schools, with Catholic systemic schools usually lower. Most schools offer academic, music, and equity scholarships from Years 5, 7, or 10. The decision is rarely about a school being "best" outright; it is about fit, fees you can sustain across the full schooling stretch, and whether the WACE or IB pathway suits your child.
What are the best private school choices in Perth?
Perth's most consistently shortlisted private schools sit across three broad camps. The independent (non-systemic) schools — including Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch College, Wesley College, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, St Mary's Anglican, and Penrhos College — are the largest, oldest, and best resourced, with tuition usually in the A$30,000–A$38,000 range for senior years. The Catholic non-systemic schools — Aquinas College, Trinity College, Iona Presentation, Mercedes College, John XXIII College, and Newman College — typically run A$15,000–A$24,000 and are a popular middle option for Catholic families wanting more than the systemic CEWA fee. Catholic systemic schools (run by Catholic Education WA) often sit between A$5,000 and A$10,000. There is no single "top" school; parents who shortlist well usually pick four to six and judge them on open-day feel, fit, and how each one talks about pastoral care and pathways.
How much do Perth private schools cost?
Perth private-school tuition spans a wide band. Senior-years tuition at the largest independent schools (Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, Wesley) usually sits between A$30,000 and A$38,000 a year. Mid-tier non-systemic Catholic schools (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman) run between A$15,000 and A$24,000. Catholic systemic schools — run by Catholic Education WA — typically charge A$5,000–A$10,000. Most schools also charge a one-off enrolment or confirmation fee (A$1,500–A$5,000), an annual capital levy (A$1,500–A$3,000), and extras for laptops, uniforms, and co-curricular trips. Boarding adds A$25,000–A$32,000 on top of tuition. Always check the current fee schedule on the school's website — published fees update each November for the following year.
| School (senior years, day) | Type | Approx 2026 tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Christ Church Grammar | Independent Anglican (boys) | ~A$36,000 |
| Hale School | Independent Uniting (boys) | ~A$34,000 |
| Scotch College Perth | Independent Uniting (boys) | ~A$36,000 |
| Wesley College Perth | Independent Uniting (boys + co-ed senior) | ~A$32,000 |
| MLC Perth | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$32,000 |
| St Hilda's Anglican | Independent Anglican (girls) | ~A$33,000 |
| St Mary's Anglican | Independent Anglican (girls) | ~A$30,000 |
| PLC Perth | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$30,000 |
| Penrhos College | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$28,000 |
| Aquinas College | Independent Catholic (boys) | ~A$24,000 |
| Trinity College | Independent Catholic (boys) | ~A$20,000 |
| John XXIII College | Independent Catholic (co-ed) | ~A$22,000 |
| Iona Presentation | Independent Catholic (girls) | ~A$22,000 |
| Mercedes College Perth | Independent Catholic (girls) | ~A$18,000 |
| Newman College | Independent Catholic (co-ed) | ~A$18,000 |
Figures are indicative for 2026 senior-year day tuition only. Always cross-check on the school's website before budgeting; published fees move every November.
Are Perth private school fees worth it?
"Worth it" is a family-by-family question. The case for the top end of the Perth private market is smaller class sizes (often 18–22 in senior years versus 26–30 in many public schools), strong alumni and university-pathway networks, polished pastoral care systems, and broad co-curricular programs — particularly in music, debating, and rowing. The case against is the cost: A$30,000+ a year across thirteen years of schooling is more than A$390,000 before extras, and many Perth families get strong outcomes from public schools or mid-tier Catholic schools at a fraction of the price. A useful test is to ask whether you can sustain the full fee across primary AND secondary without cutting other family priorities, because pulling a child out mid-secondary for cost reasons is the worst-case outcome. If finance is tight in any year of the plan, a mid-tier Catholic school or a well-regarded public school plus targeted tutoring is often the better long-term fit.
What is the difference between Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, and independent Perth schools?
Perth's private schools split into four broad religious-and-governance camps. Anglican schools (Christ Church Grammar, St Hilda's, St Mary's Anglican, Guildford Grammar) follow Church of England traditions, run a chapel and chaplaincy program, and welcome students of any faith. Catholic non-systemic schools (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman) operate independently of the Catholic Education WA system but follow Catholic ethos, run weekly mass and religious-education classes, and prioritise Catholic-baptised students. Uniting Church schools (Hale, Scotch, Wesley, MLC, PLC, Penrhos) follow Uniting tradition and tend to be the largest, most-resourced independent schools in Perth. Non-denominational independent schools (All Saints' College, Perth College — formally Anglican but day-school in feel) emphasise pluralism. The day-to-day practical difference is small for non-religious families: chapel and religious education are present at all faith schools, but compulsory attendance and depth of religious instruction vary. Visit two contrasting open days to feel the difference.
What are the best Perth private schools for boys, girls, and co-ed?
Perth has a stronger single-sex tradition than most Australian capitals. The most-shortlisted boys' schools are Christ Church Grammar (Claremont), Hale (Wembley Downs), Scotch College (Swanbourne), Aquinas College (Manning), and Trinity College (East Perth). The most-shortlisted girls' schools are St Hilda's (Mosman Park), St Mary's Anglican (Karrinyup), MLC (Claremont), PLC (Peppermint Grove), Penrhos (Como), Iona Presentation (Mosman Park), and Mercedes College (Perth city). The strongest co-educational private options are Wesley College (South Perth — boys K–6, co-ed senior years), All Saints' College (Bull Creek), John XXIII College (Mount Claremont), and Newman College (Churchlands). Single-sex versus co-ed is more about family preference than measurable academic outcome — research finds at most small differences, and fit-with-the-individual-child matters more than the structural choice.
How do I get my child into Christ Church Grammar, Hale, or Scotch?
The three most-asked-about Perth boys' schools all use waitlist-based enrolment, and the practical advice is the same: register early. Christ Church Grammar, Hale, and Scotch typically suggest registering an Expression of Interest as soon as a child is born or shortly after — popular intake years (Pre-Primary, Year 5, Year 7) often have waitlists 5–10 years deep at peak. Each school then runs a Confirmation interview around 18–24 months before the intake year, and family interviews assess fit rather than running entrance exams. Sibling priority is significant; family connection (parent or sibling alumni) helps but is not deciding. Scholarship-stream entry runs separately on academic, music, sport, or all-rounder testing in Year 4 (for Year 5 entry), Year 6 (for Year 7), and Year 9 (for Year 10). If your child is not yet on a waitlist and is approaching the most-contested intake years, request a meeting with the registrar — late-stage spots do open through family relocations.
What scholarships are available at Perth private schools?
Most Perth private schools run scholarship rounds and some bursary (means-tested) support, with intake commonly in Year 5, Year 7, and Year 10. The four most common scholarship streams are: Academic (sit at the school's testing day or via the AAS Scholarship Test), Music (audition + practical), Sport / All-rounder (combination of academic, sport, and leadership), and Indigenous (separate stream — most major schools partner with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation). Award sizes vary widely: a 25–50% tuition discount is typical for academic scholarships at Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, and St Hilda's; full-fee scholarships exist but are rare. Means-tested bursaries are usually need-based and confidential — apply directly to the school's enrolment office. Application timelines run 12–18 months before the intake year; most close in March or April. Check the school's scholarship page each January for the current year's deadlines.
What is WACE and how do private schools prepare students for it?
WACE — the Western Australian Certificate of Education — is the senior-school qualification awarded by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) to Year 12 students in WA. It is the WA equivalent of the HSC (NSW) or VCE (Victoria), and is used to calculate ATAR for university entry. Students complete four to six ATAR or General courses across Years 11 and 12, sit external SCSA exams in November of Year 12 for ATAR courses, and need to meet literacy and numeracy benchmarks (the OLNA — Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment — or Band 8+ on the Year 9 NAPLAN). Perth private schools generally support WACE strongly: smaller senior classes, dedicated WACE study programs, mock exams, and structured revision in Term 3. Several larger independents — Christ Church Grammar, Wesley, Scotch, MLC, PLC — also offer the IB Diploma as a parallel pathway, which appeals to families considering overseas universities. The WACE-versus-IB choice should match your child's preferred examination style: WACE is course-based and externally examined; the IB requires six subjects plus a research essay and CAS hours.
When should we apply, and what is the open-day cycle?
Perth private-school open days cluster in Term 1 (February to early April) and Term 3 (August to September). The earliest sensible time to register an Expression of Interest is shortly after birth, and the latest realistic window for popular intake years is two to three years before the child starts. Applications for Pre-Primary or Kindergarten intake usually close 18 months before the year of entry; Year 5, Year 7, and Year 10 (the main secondary intake points) close 12–18 months before. Tour dates are listed on each school's website, but informal weekday tours with the registrar often give a more honest feel for daily life than a polished open-day weekend. Take the child to the open day if they are old enough — fit-with-the-child is the single biggest predictor of a successful enrolment and is hard to assess from a brochure.
How can a tutor help with the private-school transition?
A targeted Perth tutor helps with three specific stress points families hit during a private-school journey: scholarship-test preparation in Year 4, 6, and 9; pace-matching after a mid-year transfer (the workload step-up at most independents catches new students out in the first term); and WACE / IB exam preparation in Year 11 and 12. Tutero matches Perth families with one-on-one online tutors at A$65 an hour with no contracts and no lock-in — same rate across primary, lower secondary, and senior years. The biggest gains usually come from a six- to ten-week block of weekly sessions targeted at a specific outcome (a scholarship test sitting, a Term 1 catch-up, a WACE mock exam) rather than open-ended ongoing support. Find a Perth tutor if your child is approaching a transition point — most Perth families book three to four weeks before the test date or term start.
What are the disadvantages of Perth private schools?
Three real disadvantages are worth weighing before committing. First, cost compounds: A$30,000+ a year across thirteen years means more than A$390,000 before extras like laptops, camps, and overseas trips, and pulling a child out mid-secondary for fee reasons is more disruptive than starting at a strong public school. Second, peer-group homogeneity: high-fee private schools draw a narrower socioeconomic range, which is something some families value and others do not. Third, distance and commute: the largest Perth independents cluster in Claremont, Swanbourne, Mosman Park, and Wembley Downs — families east of the river or in northern outer suburbs face an hour-plus daily commute, which adds pressure across thirteen years. None of these are deal-breakers, but they are the questions that come up most often in family debriefs after the first term. The right test is whether the school's strengths still outweigh these costs in Year 9 and Year 11, not just in the open-day glow of Year 5.
Related reading
- Best public schools in Perth — the public-school sister listicle for Perth families weighing both options.
- Finding the right tutor in Perth — how to choose a Perth tutor for scholarship prep, transfers, or WACE.
- Choosing the right school in 6 steps — a structured checklist for any school decision.
- 4 reasons to consider changing your child's school — when transferring is the right call.
- 5 key benefits of private tutoring — when one-on-one support compounds the school choice.
The bottom line
There is no universal "best" private school in Perth. The right call depends on whether your family wants single-sex or co-ed, an Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, or non-denominational identity, a fee level you can sustain across thirteen years, and a WACE-only or WACE-plus-IB pathway. Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, and Wesley sit at the top of the independent fee band; Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, and Newman are popular Catholic alternatives at roughly two-thirds of the cost. Visit at least four open days, register Expressions of Interest early for popular intake years, and ask about scholarships in January or February of the year before entry. If your child is approaching a scholarship test, mid-year transfer, or the WACE / IB pathway, a focused block of one-on-one tutoring during the transition is usually the single best lever a family has.
Ready to find a Perth tutor for your child?
Browse Perth tutors — A$65 an hour, no contracts, primary through Year 12.
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There is no universal 'best' private school in Perth — the right pick is whatever sustains across thirteen years for your family.
There is no universal 'best' private school in Perth — the right pick is whatever sustains across thirteen years for your family.
There is no universal 'best' private school in Perth — the right pick is whatever sustains across thirteen years for your family.
WACE preparation in senior years is where the gap between schools narrows most — strong individual study habits matter as much as the school name.
Updated for 2026. Choosing a private school in Perth means weighing fees, gender mix, religious affiliation, scholarship pathways, and how each school sets students up for WACE or the IB. This guide covers Perth's most-asked-about private schools — Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch College, Wesley College, MLC, St Hilda's, Penrhos, Aquinas, Trinity, Iona Presentation, Mercedes College, John XXIII, and Newman — plus the Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, and independent splits parents most often weigh up.
Quick answer
There is no single "best" private school in Perth — there are about a dozen well-regarded options, and the right one depends on whether your family wants single-sex or co-educational, an Anglican, Catholic, Uniting Church, or non-denominational identity, day-only or boarding, and a WACE-only pathway or both WACE and the International Baccalaureate. Tuition tends to sit between A$20,000 and A$38,000 a year for senior years at the larger independent schools, with Catholic systemic schools usually lower. Most schools offer academic, music, and equity scholarships from Years 5, 7, or 10. The decision is rarely about a school being "best" outright; it is about fit, fees you can sustain across the full schooling stretch, and whether the WACE or IB pathway suits your child.
What are the best private school choices in Perth?
Perth's most consistently shortlisted private schools sit across three broad camps. The independent (non-systemic) schools — including Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch College, Wesley College, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, St Mary's Anglican, and Penrhos College — are the largest, oldest, and best resourced, with tuition usually in the A$30,000–A$38,000 range for senior years. The Catholic non-systemic schools — Aquinas College, Trinity College, Iona Presentation, Mercedes College, John XXIII College, and Newman College — typically run A$15,000–A$24,000 and are a popular middle option for Catholic families wanting more than the systemic CEWA fee. Catholic systemic schools (run by Catholic Education WA) often sit between A$5,000 and A$10,000. There is no single "top" school; parents who shortlist well usually pick four to six and judge them on open-day feel, fit, and how each one talks about pastoral care and pathways.
How much do Perth private schools cost?
Perth private-school tuition spans a wide band. Senior-years tuition at the largest independent schools (Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, Wesley) usually sits between A$30,000 and A$38,000 a year. Mid-tier non-systemic Catholic schools (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman) run between A$15,000 and A$24,000. Catholic systemic schools — run by Catholic Education WA — typically charge A$5,000–A$10,000. Most schools also charge a one-off enrolment or confirmation fee (A$1,500–A$5,000), an annual capital levy (A$1,500–A$3,000), and extras for laptops, uniforms, and co-curricular trips. Boarding adds A$25,000–A$32,000 on top of tuition. Always check the current fee schedule on the school's website — published fees update each November for the following year.
| School (senior years, day) | Type | Approx 2026 tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Christ Church Grammar | Independent Anglican (boys) | ~A$36,000 |
| Hale School | Independent Uniting (boys) | ~A$34,000 |
| Scotch College Perth | Independent Uniting (boys) | ~A$36,000 |
| Wesley College Perth | Independent Uniting (boys + co-ed senior) | ~A$32,000 |
| MLC Perth | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$32,000 |
| St Hilda's Anglican | Independent Anglican (girls) | ~A$33,000 |
| St Mary's Anglican | Independent Anglican (girls) | ~A$30,000 |
| PLC Perth | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$30,000 |
| Penrhos College | Independent Uniting (girls) | ~A$28,000 |
| Aquinas College | Independent Catholic (boys) | ~A$24,000 |
| Trinity College | Independent Catholic (boys) | ~A$20,000 |
| John XXIII College | Independent Catholic (co-ed) | ~A$22,000 |
| Iona Presentation | Independent Catholic (girls) | ~A$22,000 |
| Mercedes College Perth | Independent Catholic (girls) | ~A$18,000 |
| Newman College | Independent Catholic (co-ed) | ~A$18,000 |
Figures are indicative for 2026 senior-year day tuition only. Always cross-check on the school's website before budgeting; published fees move every November.
Are Perth private school fees worth it?
"Worth it" is a family-by-family question. The case for the top end of the Perth private market is smaller class sizes (often 18–22 in senior years versus 26–30 in many public schools), strong alumni and university-pathway networks, polished pastoral care systems, and broad co-curricular programs — particularly in music, debating, and rowing. The case against is the cost: A$30,000+ a year across thirteen years of schooling is more than A$390,000 before extras, and many Perth families get strong outcomes from public schools or mid-tier Catholic schools at a fraction of the price. A useful test is to ask whether you can sustain the full fee across primary AND secondary without cutting other family priorities, because pulling a child out mid-secondary for cost reasons is the worst-case outcome. If finance is tight in any year of the plan, a mid-tier Catholic school or a well-regarded public school plus targeted tutoring is often the better long-term fit.
What is the difference between Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, and independent Perth schools?
Perth's private schools split into four broad religious-and-governance camps. Anglican schools (Christ Church Grammar, St Hilda's, St Mary's Anglican, Guildford Grammar) follow Church of England traditions, run a chapel and chaplaincy program, and welcome students of any faith. Catholic non-systemic schools (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman) operate independently of the Catholic Education WA system but follow Catholic ethos, run weekly mass and religious-education classes, and prioritise Catholic-baptised students. Uniting Church schools (Hale, Scotch, Wesley, MLC, PLC, Penrhos) follow Uniting tradition and tend to be the largest, most-resourced independent schools in Perth. Non-denominational independent schools (All Saints' College, Perth College — formally Anglican but day-school in feel) emphasise pluralism. The day-to-day practical difference is small for non-religious families: chapel and religious education are present at all faith schools, but compulsory attendance and depth of religious instruction vary. Visit two contrasting open days to feel the difference.
What are the best Perth private schools for boys, girls, and co-ed?
Perth has a stronger single-sex tradition than most Australian capitals. The most-shortlisted boys' schools are Christ Church Grammar (Claremont), Hale (Wembley Downs), Scotch College (Swanbourne), Aquinas College (Manning), and Trinity College (East Perth). The most-shortlisted girls' schools are St Hilda's (Mosman Park), St Mary's Anglican (Karrinyup), MLC (Claremont), PLC (Peppermint Grove), Penrhos (Como), Iona Presentation (Mosman Park), and Mercedes College (Perth city). The strongest co-educational private options are Wesley College (South Perth — boys K–6, co-ed senior years), All Saints' College (Bull Creek), John XXIII College (Mount Claremont), and Newman College (Churchlands). Single-sex versus co-ed is more about family preference than measurable academic outcome — research finds at most small differences, and fit-with-the-individual-child matters more than the structural choice.
How do I get my child into Christ Church Grammar, Hale, or Scotch?
The three most-asked-about Perth boys' schools all use waitlist-based enrolment, and the practical advice is the same: register early. Christ Church Grammar, Hale, and Scotch typically suggest registering an Expression of Interest as soon as a child is born or shortly after — popular intake years (Pre-Primary, Year 5, Year 7) often have waitlists 5–10 years deep at peak. Each school then runs a Confirmation interview around 18–24 months before the intake year, and family interviews assess fit rather than running entrance exams. Sibling priority is significant; family connection (parent or sibling alumni) helps but is not deciding. Scholarship-stream entry runs separately on academic, music, sport, or all-rounder testing in Year 4 (for Year 5 entry), Year 6 (for Year 7), and Year 9 (for Year 10). If your child is not yet on a waitlist and is approaching the most-contested intake years, request a meeting with the registrar — late-stage spots do open through family relocations.
What scholarships are available at Perth private schools?
Most Perth private schools run scholarship rounds and some bursary (means-tested) support, with intake commonly in Year 5, Year 7, and Year 10. The four most common scholarship streams are: Academic (sit at the school's testing day or via the AAS Scholarship Test), Music (audition + practical), Sport / All-rounder (combination of academic, sport, and leadership), and Indigenous (separate stream — most major schools partner with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation). Award sizes vary widely: a 25–50% tuition discount is typical for academic scholarships at Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, and St Hilda's; full-fee scholarships exist but are rare. Means-tested bursaries are usually need-based and confidential — apply directly to the school's enrolment office. Application timelines run 12–18 months before the intake year; most close in March or April. Check the school's scholarship page each January for the current year's deadlines.
What is WACE and how do private schools prepare students for it?
WACE — the Western Australian Certificate of Education — is the senior-school qualification awarded by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) to Year 12 students in WA. It is the WA equivalent of the HSC (NSW) or VCE (Victoria), and is used to calculate ATAR for university entry. Students complete four to six ATAR or General courses across Years 11 and 12, sit external SCSA exams in November of Year 12 for ATAR courses, and need to meet literacy and numeracy benchmarks (the OLNA — Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment — or Band 8+ on the Year 9 NAPLAN). Perth private schools generally support WACE strongly: smaller senior classes, dedicated WACE study programs, mock exams, and structured revision in Term 3. Several larger independents — Christ Church Grammar, Wesley, Scotch, MLC, PLC — also offer the IB Diploma as a parallel pathway, which appeals to families considering overseas universities. The WACE-versus-IB choice should match your child's preferred examination style: WACE is course-based and externally examined; the IB requires six subjects plus a research essay and CAS hours.
When should we apply, and what is the open-day cycle?
Perth private-school open days cluster in Term 1 (February to early April) and Term 3 (August to September). The earliest sensible time to register an Expression of Interest is shortly after birth, and the latest realistic window for popular intake years is two to three years before the child starts. Applications for Pre-Primary or Kindergarten intake usually close 18 months before the year of entry; Year 5, Year 7, and Year 10 (the main secondary intake points) close 12–18 months before. Tour dates are listed on each school's website, but informal weekday tours with the registrar often give a more honest feel for daily life than a polished open-day weekend. Take the child to the open day if they are old enough — fit-with-the-child is the single biggest predictor of a successful enrolment and is hard to assess from a brochure.
How can a tutor help with the private-school transition?
A targeted Perth tutor helps with three specific stress points families hit during a private-school journey: scholarship-test preparation in Year 4, 6, and 9; pace-matching after a mid-year transfer (the workload step-up at most independents catches new students out in the first term); and WACE / IB exam preparation in Year 11 and 12. Tutero matches Perth families with one-on-one online tutors at A$65 an hour with no contracts and no lock-in — same rate across primary, lower secondary, and senior years. The biggest gains usually come from a six- to ten-week block of weekly sessions targeted at a specific outcome (a scholarship test sitting, a Term 1 catch-up, a WACE mock exam) rather than open-ended ongoing support. Find a Perth tutor if your child is approaching a transition point — most Perth families book three to four weeks before the test date or term start.
What are the disadvantages of Perth private schools?
Three real disadvantages are worth weighing before committing. First, cost compounds: A$30,000+ a year across thirteen years means more than A$390,000 before extras like laptops, camps, and overseas trips, and pulling a child out mid-secondary for fee reasons is more disruptive than starting at a strong public school. Second, peer-group homogeneity: high-fee private schools draw a narrower socioeconomic range, which is something some families value and others do not. Third, distance and commute: the largest Perth independents cluster in Claremont, Swanbourne, Mosman Park, and Wembley Downs — families east of the river or in northern outer suburbs face an hour-plus daily commute, which adds pressure across thirteen years. None of these are deal-breakers, but they are the questions that come up most often in family debriefs after the first term. The right test is whether the school's strengths still outweigh these costs in Year 9 and Year 11, not just in the open-day glow of Year 5.
Related reading
- Best public schools in Perth — the public-school sister listicle for Perth families weighing both options.
- Finding the right tutor in Perth — how to choose a Perth tutor for scholarship prep, transfers, or WACE.
- Choosing the right school in 6 steps — a structured checklist for any school decision.
- 4 reasons to consider changing your child's school — when transferring is the right call.
- 5 key benefits of private tutoring — when one-on-one support compounds the school choice.
The bottom line
There is no universal "best" private school in Perth. The right call depends on whether your family wants single-sex or co-ed, an Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, or non-denominational identity, a fee level you can sustain across thirteen years, and a WACE-only or WACE-plus-IB pathway. Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, and Wesley sit at the top of the independent fee band; Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, and Newman are popular Catholic alternatives at roughly two-thirds of the cost. Visit at least four open days, register Expressions of Interest early for popular intake years, and ask about scholarships in January or February of the year before entry. If your child is approaching a scholarship test, mid-year transfer, or the WACE / IB pathway, a focused block of one-on-one tutoring during the transition is usually the single best lever a family has.
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There is no universal 'best' private school in Perth — the right pick is whatever sustains across thirteen years for your family.
WACE preparation in senior years is where the gap between schools narrows most — strong individual study habits matter as much as the school name.
Perth has roughly a dozen consistently shortlisted private schools across three camps: independent (Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, Wesley, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, St Mary's Anglican, Penrhos), Catholic non-systemic (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman), and Catholic systemic (run by CEWA). There is no single 'best' — the right pick depends on gender mix, faith, fees, and pathway.
Senior-year tuition at the top independents (Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, Wesley) sits between A$30,000 and A$38,000 a year. Mid-tier non-systemic Catholic schools (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman) run A$15,000–A$24,000. Catholic systemic schools usually charge A$5,000–A$10,000. Add A$25,000–A$32,000 for boarding.
Anglican schools (Christ Church Grammar, St Hilda's, St Mary's, Guildford Grammar) follow Church of England traditions with chapel and chaplaincy. Uniting Church schools (Hale, Scotch, Wesley, MLC, PLC, Penrhos) follow Uniting tradition and are typically the largest, best-resourced. Catholic non-systemic schools (Aquinas, Trinity, Iona, Mercedes, John XXIII, Newman) follow Catholic ethos and prioritise Catholic-baptised students.
All three use waitlist-based enrolment. Register an Expression of Interest as soon as a child is born or shortly after — popular intake years (Pre-Primary, Year 5, Year 7) often have 5–10-year waitlists. A Confirmation interview runs 18–24 months before the intake year. Sibling priority is significant. Scholarship-stream entry is separate, with testing in Year 4, 6, and 9.
Most Perth private schools run academic, music, sport/all-rounder, and Indigenous scholarship streams, usually in Year 5, 7, and 10. A 25–50% tuition discount is typical for academic scholarships at Christ Church Grammar, Hale, Scotch, MLC, and St Hilda's. Means-tested bursaries are confidential and need-based. Most rounds close in March or April for the following year — check the school's scholarship page each January.
WACE — the Western Australian Certificate of Education — is the senior-school qualification awarded by SCSA to Year 12 students in WA, used to calculate ATAR for university entry. Students complete four to six ATAR or General courses across Years 11 and 12, sit external SCSA exams in November of Year 12, and meet OLNA literacy and numeracy benchmarks. Most major Perth independents — Christ Church Grammar, Wesley, Scotch, MLC, PLC — also offer the IB Diploma as a parallel pathway.
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