Plan for your baby, find schools, estimate childcare costs
Family costs in Australia are front-loaded. A new parent might face hospital decisions, childcare waitlists, school enrolment documents and Centrelink waiting periods at the same time. The right checklist depends on your visa, income, suburb and whether your child is already school-aged.
Use this page to compare the big family decisions before you open the calculators. The tools help estimate baby costs, Child Care Subsidy and school options, while the extra notes below explain where visa status can change the result. For school-aged children, choose housing and school catchments together so a cheaper rental does not create a harder commute or a surprise school-fee problem. Keep waitlists, inspection dates and childcare start dates in one shared calendar.
School rules are state-based. Fees, class sizes, catchments and enrolment documents can vary by state, sector and individual school.
| School type | Typical cost | Class size / entry | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public / government | Usually low or no tuition for citizens and PRs. Temporary visa fees can apply in some states. | Zoned entry is common. Class sizes vary by state and year level. | Start with your local catchment school and state education website. Proof of address is usually important. |
| Catholic systemic | Usually lower fees than many independent schools, plus levies and uniforms. | Priority can depend on parish, siblings and available places. | Often popular with families wanting faith-based education without top-tier private fees. |
| Independent | Wide range, from moderate to very high annual fees. | Application, interview or waitlist may apply. Class sizes vary. | Budget for enrolment fees, uniforms, devices, camps and transport on top of tuition. |
| Selective / specialist | Usually public-school fee settings, with exam or talent-based entry. | Competitive entrance tests, auditions or academic criteria. | Plan early because testing dates and year-entry points can be fixed. |
| International school | Usually high fees, often with additional capital or enrolment charges. | Curriculum-specific entry and limited places. | Useful for short stays or families needing IB or another international curriculum. |
Sources: Services Australia FTB Part A rates | Services Australia CCS income test | Services Australia CCS changes | Services Australia Newborn Supplement
Plan the real cost of having a baby in Australia — from hospital fees to first-year essentials.
Estimate your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and out-of-pocket childcare costs based on your income and activity level.
Search and compare primary and secondary schools across all Australian states — public, Catholic, and independent.
Related tools from other pillars
Estimate your Parenting Payment (Single or Partnered) based on income and eligibility.
Use these examples to decide whether to start with school, childcare or Centrelink.
A new PR family should find the local public school catchment first, then compare nearby Catholic and independent options only if commute and fees make sense. They will usually need passports, visa evidence, immunisation records and proof of address. Start with the School Finder, then call schools directly.
A couple with two children aged 5 or younger may get a higher CCS rate for the younger child. From 5 January 2026, eligible families can access at least 72 hours of subsidised care each fortnight, but the percentage still depends on income. Use the Childcare Calculator with realistic daily fees.
A pregnant temporary visa holder should check Medicare first, then hospital cost, private cover waiting periods and whether Parental Leave Pay or Newborn Supplement could apply. If they are on a partner provisional visa, some family payments may be possible but NARWP matters. Use the Baby Cost Calculator.
Family finances go hand-in-hand with understanding your money and health options.
Money & Tax Health & Medicare