Reported at www.theguardian.com: Many Australian public schools are seeing high parental contributions, with the top 50 schools charging an average of over $1,800 per student, raising concerns about the principle of free education.

Canning College in Western Australia had the highest contributions, averaging around $20,000 per year, largely due to its high number of international students.

Education experts warn that this trend creates inequities, particularly in selective schools that often cater to more affluent families, undermining the goal of providing equitable public education.