Catholic · co-ed · Charters Towers
Columba Catholic College
Columba Catholic College is a co-educational Catholic Kindergarten-to-Year-12 college in Charters Towers, formed in 1998 from the amalgamation of Mount Carmel College, St Mary's College and St Columba's Primary School, with a Mercy/Christian Brothers heritage dating to 1876. It runs two campuses (St Mary's for primary in the city, Mt Carmel for secondary at Richmond Hill) and is a major boarding provider for rural and remote North Queensland, with single-sex boarding houses. The 2026 secondary day tuition is 7,876 dollars; full-time Year 11-12 boarding totals 31,904 dollars a year.
In short
Is Columba Catholic College a good private school?
Columba Catholic College is a catholic co-ed private school based in Charters Towers, Charters Towers. ICSEA 953 (Australian median is 1000). 2026 Year 12 tuition is $7,876. Columba Catholic College is a co-educational Catholic Kindergarten-to-Year-12 college in Charters Towers, formed in 1998 from the amalgamation of Mount Carmel College, St Mary's College and St Columba's Primary School, with a Mercy/Christian Brothers heritage dating to 1876. It runs two campuses (St Mary's for primary in the city, Mt Carmel for secondary at Richmond Hill) and is a major boarding provider for rural and remote North Queensland, with single-sex boarding houses. The 2026 secondary day tuition is 7,876 dollars; full-time Year 11-12 boarding totals 31,904 dollars a year.
Profile information cross-referenced against public sources at time of publication. Verify a provider's current credentials directly with the relevant Australian regulator before engaging.
Key takeaways
- Columba Catholic College is a Catholic school in Charters Towers, Charters Towers (co-ed).
- ICSEA score: 953 (the Australian median is 1000; above median).
- 2026 Year 12 tuition: $7,876 (Year 7: $7,876).
- Boarding available — 2026 boarding fee from $22,528.
- Founded in 1998.
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Columba Catholic College fees · 6-year projection
Columba Catholic College fees 2026: what you can expect to pay through 2031
Based on Columba Catholic College's current Year 12 fee of $7,876, here's what fees could look like over the next 6 years under three indexation scenarios. Most Australian independent schools index fees between 3.5% and 6% annually.
| Year | Low (+3.5%) | Mid (+4.5%) | High (+5.5%) | Boarding (mid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (current) | $7,876 | $7,876 | $7,876 | $22,528 |
| 2027 | $8,152 | $8,230 | $8,309 | $23,542 |
| 2028 | $8,437 | $8,601 | $8,766 | $24,601 |
| 2029 | $8,732 | $8,988 | $9,248 | $25,708 |
| 2030 | $9,038 | $9,392 | $9,757 | $26,865 |
| 2031 | $9,354 | $9,815 | $10,294 | $28,074 |
| 6-year total (mid) | $52,902 |
Projection methodology: starting from Columba Catholic College's published 2026 fee, compounded annually at 3 indexation rates representing low / mid / high typical scenarios for Australian independent schools. Actual fees depend on the school's own indexation policy + economic conditions; this is illustrative rather than guaranteed. Excludes uniforms, technology levies, camps, additional services + boarding (unless shown separately).
Planning tip: for a Year 7 entry in 2027, the 6-year tuition-only total is approximately $52,902 (mid scenario). Compare against scholarship pathways + public alternatives before committing.
NAPLAN context
Columba Catholic College's NAPLAN benchmark
2025 national + state means for Year 9 — the benchmark to compare against Columba Catholic College's individual school result on MySchool.
National Y9 Reading
567.7
2025 mean (all students)
National Y9 Numeracy
572.6
2025 mean (all students)
For Columba Catholic College's actual NAPLAN figures, use MySchool. It publishes the school's per-domain mean, % in each proficiency band, Year 5 → Year 9 student gain, and "similar schools" comparison (the right metric for value-add).
View Columba Catholic College on MySchoolNew to NAPLAN reading? Read our parent's guide — what each year level + domain measures, the parental-education premium, and what to look for on MySchool.
Fee history
How Columba Catholic College's fees have moved 2018 → 2026
The 9-year tuition trajectory for a Year 12 student. Compare against the national fee-inflation tracker to see how this school's pace stacks up against the wider sector.
Year 12 fee history
Columba Catholic College
2018 → 2026 tuition fee progression (AUD, tuition only)
+42.1%
8-year change
$5,542
2018 fee
$7,876
2026 fee
4.5%
Per year (CAGR)
Pre-2026 figures are computed by applying the ABS secondary-education price index (Cat 6401.0) backwards year-by-year from the school's verified 2026 fee. Audit sample shows estimates within ±5% of actual fees for most schools. Per-school verified historical chains will be added as we complete audits of each school's annual reports.
Location + links
Find Columba Catholic College
Charters Towers, Charters Towers, Australia.
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What are Columba Catholic College's 2026 fees?
Columba Catholic College's 2026 fee schedule lists Year 12 tuition at $7,876, with Year 7 at $7,876. Fees typically index 3.5–6% annually — model 6-year totals using our calculator before committing. Additional levies (technology, camps, uniform, capital) usually add 8–15% on top of the headline tuition.
What is Columba Catholic College's ICSEA score?
Columba Catholic College has an ICSEA score of 953. The Australian median is 1000; ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the parent community (not academic value-add). Schools at 1150+ are top decile nationally. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool and updated each calendar year.
Does Columba Catholic College offer boarding?
Yes, Columba Catholic College offers boarding from $22,528 (2026). Boarding fees are charged in addition to tuition. Most AU boarding schools also charge a separate annual boarding levy + activities fee.
Where is Columba Catholic College based?
Columba Catholic College is primarily based in Charters Towers, Australia, and serves clients across Charters Towers and surrounding areas. Check with the provider directly for specific service-area coverage.
What are the alternatives to Columba Catholic College?
Our independent ranking of the top private schools in Australia includes Melbourne Grammar School, Scotch College, Wesley College. Each has different strengths — see our comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.
How much do private schools cost in Australia in 2026?
Elite independent schools (Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar, Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College): $42,000-$55,000/year for Year 12. Mid-tier independents: $25,000-$38,000/year. Catholic systemic schools: $4,000-$10,000/year. Boarding adds $25,000-$45,000 on top. Year 7-9 fees typically 30-40% lower than Year 12. Total K-12 cost: $400,000-$650,000 for elite schools, $40,000-$120,000 for Catholic systemic. Add $5,000-$15,000/year for uniforms, IT, camps, music tuition.
When should I apply for a private school?
Elite schools (Scotch, Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar): apply at birth or before age 2 for Year 7 entry. Waiting lists at top schools are 1,000+ children. Mid-tier independents: apply 2-4 years before entry year. Catholic systemic: 12-24 months before entry year. Most competitive entry points: Reception (limited places open most spots), Year 7 (start of secondary, biggest intake), Year 11 (VCE/HSC start). Apply to 4-8 schools simultaneously to maximise options.
What's ICSEA and how does it relate to school quality?
ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) measures the socio-economic background of a school's community. Average is 1000. Elite private schools typically score 1180-1230. ICSEA correlates strongly with academic outcomes, but it measures family advantage, not school teaching quality. To assess teaching quality, look at "value-added" data (how much the school improves students above their starting point), Education Department websites publish this. A school with ICSEA 1200 should produce strong results; a school with ICSEA 1100 producing strong results is doing more impressive teaching.
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