The most expensive education is not surprisingly Sydney independent schools which have hit $357,900. A Brisbane independent education is almost $100,000 cheaper at $262,000 for a child starting this year.

Brisbane takes a step up the ladder when it comes to Catholic schools where the total cost over the 13 years was estimated at $193,000 in the city, which was 5 per cent above the national average and considerably more than Sydney ($178,000).

Futurity’s study included not just school fees but associated costs such as external tuition, electronic devices, school camps and musical instruments.

“The research found that school fees will make up 49 per cent of the total cost of an independent school education for a child starting school in Brisbane this year with 51 per cent spent on ancillary costs,” Futurity said.

For a Catholic education, the “outside tuition” was the most expensive component costing almost $3000. Overall, the study found that the biggest component of total cost of a Catholic education was ancillary costs which were estimated at 75 per cent.

For regional Queensland, the total cost of a Government education was $68,597 over 13 years, which was about 10 per cent below the national average.

Independent school education in regional Queensland was estimated to cost $196,000.

Futurity’s group executive Kate Hill said the total cost of education had risen at almost double the rate of inflation in the past decade and were demanding a far higher proportion of the family’s income.

“School fees, outside tuition, school camps, transport, uniforms, electronic devices and sports equipment are demanding a far greater share of the family budget than in the past,” she said.

“With less discretionary money to spend, it’s going to be a challenge for some families to pay for education.”