A new report has highlighted the skyrocketing cost of education for Aussie families, even at public schools.

According to the latest figures, if you have a little school starter beginning prep this year at a public school in a major city, you can expect to fork out up to $123,294 by the time they finish year 12. For a Catholic school that increases to $193,666, while an independent school will cost you $350,158 over 13 years.

The Cost of Education Index from Futurity Investment Group combined the averages of tuition fees and ancillary costs over 13 years to uncover the real amount parents are paying for the kids’ education. And it’s those ancillary costs – or the ‘hidden’ extras – that really add up.

The report found that these extra items account for around 90% of total education costs in Government schools, 60% in Catholic schools and 50% in independent schools. That’s things like uniforms, transport, camps, excursions and electronic devices.

More than half of the parents surveyed as part of the report revealed someone else is helping them pay for school costs, with grandparents among the biggest financial supporters.

Which state has the most expensive education?

According to the research the most expensive location to educate kids in Australia is in metro NSW for public schools ($150,323), Canberra for a Catholic education and NSW metro for independent.

While the most affordable for public education is Brisbane, SA metro for Catholic and WA metro for independent.

What do you think of these costs? Do you think it’s too expensive to give kids a public education in Australia? Click ‘comment’ below and have your say.