Fees and charges

Parent Contributions and Charges 

Students at Northcote High School are part of one of Victoria’s best public high schools, where they enjoy an extensive range of programs and services beyond those solely provided by government funding.

Whilst the school provides free instruction to fulfill the standard Victorian Curriculum, the financial support of families is  one of the key factors underlying the success and quality of the School’s wide-ranging academic and co-curricular programs and services provided; including on site IT technicians, Wellbeing Coordinators and First Aid Officer, modern learning areas such as our Library and STEM Hub and Performing Arts Centre, and upgrades to facilities like shade sails, landscaped areas and student social and study centres.

In line with the Department of Education’s (DE) Parent Payment Policy, there are three parent payment categories that families are requested to contribute to:

1. Curriculum Contributions
2. Extra-Curricular Items and Activities
3. Other Contributions

Families are requested to pay for essential services, resources and activities that are not funded by the government. We also rely on voluntary financial contributions to help resource our academic and co-curricular programs, improve learning spaces and assisting students in need.

Curriculum Contributions

Working closely with the Principal and Business Manager, the Finance Committee and School Council sets recommended parent payments to allow us to deliver essential education resources, equipment and services whilst making every effort to keep the cost of items and activities to a minimum and affordable for all families.

All students in Year 7-12 are requested to pay a Curriculum Contributions ‘Common Program’ charge. This charge is the same for all students in that year level.

Curriculum Contributions are items, services or activities that the school deems essential to support the course of instruction in the standard curriculum program that parents or guardians are requested to pay the school. All students in Year 7-12 are requested to pay a ‘Common Program’ charge.

The 2026 Curriculum Contributions for the Common Program payment is:

• $770 for students in Year 7
• $795 for students in Year 8
• $635 for students in Year 9
• $635 for students in Year 10
• $395 for students in Year 11 VCE or $545 for students in Year 11 VM
• $450 for students in Year 12 VCE or $605 for students in Year 12 VM

Students in Years 9-12 are also requested to pay a ‘Variable Program’ charge. This charge is different for each student and is based on individual student’s course selections.

The 2026 Curriculum Contributions for the Variable Program payment is:

• Between $75 – 210 for students in Year 9
• Between $100 – 290 for students in Year 10
• Between $185 – 435 for students in Year 11 VCE
• Between $170 – 360 for students in Year 12 VCE

For current families, more information and explanation of school charges can be found here, on Compass under the School Documentation section.

Extra Curricular Items & Activities

Our students enjoy an extensive range of programs and services beyond those solely funded by the government. A key factor in our success and the quality of our academic and co-curricular programs is the financial support of families.

At NHS Extra-Curricular Items and Activities includes:

• Instrumental Music tuition and ensemble programs
• Debating, Sports and Volleyball programs
• Outdoor Ed and Duke of Ed programs
• Camps and International tours, excursions and incursions
• VET program uniform fees or other non funded tuition and material fees
• Formals and Graduation

These programs or activities are provided in addition to the standard curriculum program, and are offered to all students. Extra-Curricular Items and Activities are provided on a user-pays basis.

Other Contributions & Donations – Thrive Fund

These are non-curriculum items and services that families are encouraged to donate to:

1. Contribute to the essential services and resources the school provides that are not funded by the government
2. Make a tax deductible donation to the school, to any of the Northcote Thrive Funds

Contributions and donations in addition to the Curriculum Contribution payment allow us to:

• Provide access to essential services like a first aid skilled Officer, secure locker facilities for each student and 24/7 online access to curriculum and learning materials and assessment, feedback and reporting
• Fund innovative programs (Innovate Fund)
• Improve school spaces and resources (Build/Inspire Funds) and;
• Provide our students, including those in need, with opportunities that would not otherwise be possible (Empower Fund)

Northcote Thrive Fund

In 2017, we established the Northcote Thrive Fund for our community to make voluntary financial contributions. We are the first school in Australia to be granted tax-deductible status for donations that allow us to:

• improve and upgrade school spaces (Build Fund)
• purchase library resources (Inspire Fund)
• fund clubs and activities (Innovate Fund)
• purchase essential items, such as uniforms, books and travel cards, for students in need (Empower Fund)

The fund consists of four voluntary financial contribution payments, three of which are tax-deductible. We recommend families donate $450 per student or $700 per family.

Payment support

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible and equitable payment system and have a Parent Payment Policy in line with the Department of Education and Training (DET) guidelines. We offer a range of parent payment arrangements and financial support options to make life easier.

• Northcote High School – Thrive Empower Fund: Make an application to this fund for support with the essential items including uniform, devices and books – Apply here
• Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF): Families with a health care card are eligible for subsidy through the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) and may be able to access other community and government assistance funds for items such as books and uniform – $400 per student in 2026 – Apply here
• Carried over 2025 School Saving Bonus: Residual funds from the one-off $400 government payment Victorian families received in 2025 to cover the costs of their kids’ school uniforms, textbooks, excursions and activities
• State Schools’ Relief: Support for costs associated with new school uniforms, shoes, books and more for disadvantaged students.

Families are welcome to contact:

• Sarah Burnson 9488 2300 or info@nhs.vic.edu.au to discuss payment options and financial hardship requests
• Leanne Petroff on 9488 2300 or info@nhs.vic.edu.au, to discuss applications to the Northcote Thrive (Empower) Fund for students in need