Queensland boasts some of Australia's most independent schools. While many of them are in and around Brisbane, there are plenty of others around the state. Generally, tuition fees are over $34,000 per year, with boarding options being around $30,000 annually. There's everything from traditional boys' colleges to modern co-educational campuses. Here are the 15 most expensive private secondary schools in Brisbane and Queensland, and the key things you need to know about them before you start considering them.
| Rank | School | Type | 2025 Tuition Fee | Boarding Fee | Founded | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisbane Grammar School | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $34,900 | $34,280 | 1868 | Academic excellence, GPS sport, music, and debating |
| 2 | Brisbane Girls Grammar School | Girls’ Day | $33,700 (Approx.) | 1875 | Strong academic performance, languages, and leadership | |
| 3 | Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $32,800 (Approx.) | $31,400 (Approx.) | 1912 | Leadership programs, sport, and co-curricular excellence |
| 4 | Brisbane Boys’ College | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $32,100 (Approx.) | $36,000 (Approx.) | 1902 | Academic diversity, GPS tradition, and music programs |
| 5 | St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $32,900 (Approx.) | $29,600 (Approx.) | 1895 | Academic achievement, performing arts, and community |
| 6 | Somerville House | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $31,700 (Approx.) | $30,800 (Approx.) | 1899 | Academic strength, performing arts, and wellbeing focus |
| 7 | The Southport School (TSS) | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $30,000 (Approx.) | $32,000 (Approx.) | 1901 | Boarding, leadership, and coastal Gold Coast location |
| 8 | St Peters Lutheran College | Co-ed Day & Boarding | $21,000 (Approx.) | $28,000 (Approx.) | 1945 | QCE and IB programs, music, and outdoor education |
| 9 | St Hilda’s School | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $26,500 (Approx.) | $28,000 (Approx.) | 1912 | Academic excellence, wellbeing, and coastal campus |
| 10 | St Joseph’s Nudgee College | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $23,000 (Approx.) | $31,000 (Approx.) | 1891 | Boarding tradition, GPS sport, and brotherhood culture |
| 11 | Somerset College | Co-ed Day | $21,500 (Approx.) | 1983 | IB and QCE excellence, academic innovation, and sport | |
| 12 | All Saints Anglican School | Co-ed Day | $21,000 (Approx.) | 1987 | Strong co-curricular programs, performing arts, and values | |
| 13 | Clayfield College | Co-ed Day & Girls’ Boarding | $27,400 (Approx.) | $27,800 (Approx.) | 1931 | Boutique size, girls’ boarding, and supportive community |
| 14 | Toowoomba Grammar School | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $24,000 (Approx.) | $32,000 (Approx.) | 1875 | Academic and sport balance, boarding culture, and leadership |
| 15 | Stuartholme School | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $27,000 (Approx.) | $30,000 (Approx.) | 1920 | Sacred Heart traditions, pastoral care, and Mount Coot-tha campus |
1. Brisbane Grammar School – Spring Hill
You can find Brisbane Grammar School in Spring Hill and while it's among Queenland's most expensive schools, it doesn't even break into the country's most expensive schools. This all-day boys' boarding school is known for its academic results, sport, music, and debate. It regularly achieves top ATAR results through its combination of academic rigour, leadership, and pastoral care. The school features exceptional facilities with purpose-built science labs and modern performance spaces. Its boarding program is one of the oldest in Queensland.
2. Brisbane Girls Grammar School – Spring Hill
This is one of Brisbane's most prestigious schools for girls. Brisbane Girls Grammar School combines over a century of tradition and progressive teaching approaches. Like many of NSW's top schools, this school is also famous for its outstanding academic results, in particular its language and leadership programs. BGGS focuses on promoting confidence, independence, and excellence, with alums excelling in law, medicine, and business.
3. Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) – East Brisbane
Anglican Church Grammar School, which is affectionately known as Churchie, is one of Australia's best respected boys' schools. In addition to strong academic programs, it also has a broad co-curricular offering, including sport, music, and leadership. Like some of WA's top schools, this school also combines Anglican values with top education and quality facilities.
4. Brisbane Boys’ College – Toowong
Brisbane Boys' College, or BBC, is a school renowned for its focus on personal growth, academic achievement, and community. Like you'd expect in Victoria's top schools or any other private school in the country, Brisbane Boys' College has modern facilities, great music programs, and opportunities for sport. BBC has established itself as one of Queensland's finest boys' schools with its blend of rigorous study, global outlook, and values-based learning.
5. St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School – Ascot
St Margaret's Anglican Girls School overlooks the Brisbane River, which provides an excellent environment for learning. This independent girls' day and boarding school is known for academic excellence, creativity, and leadership. Small class sizes and dedicated teachers help students to excel in both STEM and the arts.
6. Somerville House – South Brisbane
Somerville House's campus is in Brisbane's cultural precinct. The school gets consistent results across STEM and the arts, and also has a small but close-knit boarding community. Somerville focuses on creating confident, articulate graduates who'll find success in whatever they do after school.
7. The Southport School (TSS) – Southport
The Southport School is one of the Gold Coast's finest boys' boarding schools. It has unparalleled facilities for sport, academics, and leadership. TSS offers a diverse learning environment of rigorous study, GPS-level sport, music, and cadet programs. The school is famous for producing alums in business, sport, and public life.
8. St Peters Lutheran College – Indooroopilly
St Peters Lutherin College offers both the Queensland Certificate of Education and the International Baccalaureate. The Indooroopilly campus features modern technology, lush open spaces, and a culture of inclusivity. St Peters' Ironbark outdoor education program is one of the most distinctive in Australia, though many of SA's most expensive schools also boast great outdoor education programs.
9. St Hilda’s School – Southport
St Hilda's School is located near the beaches of the Gold Coast. This Anglican girls' school has been leading education in the area since 1912 with its world-class facilities and top-level teaching. In addition to academia, it's also known for its arts and sport programs.
10. St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Boondall
Nudgee College is one of Queensland's most respected boys' boarding experiences. The school was founded in 1891, and for over a century, it's provided top academic, sport, agriculture, and trade programs. Every student can learn to contribute meaningfully to society once they're done with their schooling.
11. Somerset College – Mudgeeraba
Somerset College is one of the more modern independent schools. Thanks to its cutting-edge science labs, theatres, and sport complexes, it offers a learning environment for global-minded students through either QCE or the International Baccalaureate.
12. All Saints Anglican School – Merrimac
All Saints Anglican School combines strong Christian values with a broad and challenging academic program. The school is located on the central Gold Coast, which features world-class arts facilities, outdoor spaces, and an inclusive co-ed environment. The school's academic results are excellent, and there are plenty of co-curricular opportunities, including everything from debating to surf lifesaving.
13. Clayfield College – Clayfield
Clayfield College is a boutique independent school. It offers co-educational learning with girls' boarding. This school offers a smaller, supportive environment focusing on character and academic growth. The school is known for having some of the best performing arts and music programs in Queensland.
14. Toowoomba Grammar School – East Toowoomba
Toowoomba Grammar School was founded in 1875. It has a reputation for offering a balanced approach to sport, study, and service. It boasts modern classrooms, new STEM facilities, and strong pastoral programs. In this environment, boys can reach their potential both in and out of the classroom.
15. Stuartholme School – Toowong
Stuartholme School is located on the slopes of Mount Coot-tha. It's one of Brisbane's leading Catholic girls' schools, focusing on community, confidence, and compassion. A small but vibrant boarding community, the school unites students across Queensland. The curriculum is designed to nurture academic excellence and personal development, which makes Sutartholme graduates socially aware leaders.
Queensland's most expensive schools are dedicated to quality education, tradition, and innovation. From Brisbane's grammar schools to the Gold Coast's modern campuses, these fine institutions offer students excellent academic opportunities, strong pastoral care, and diverse co-curricular options. Academic excellence, leadership programs, and supportive boarding environments, Queensland's schools rival the best in Australia. While each school has its unique qualities, they all share the focus of creating capable graduates for university and beyond.
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