30 Funding the Cost of Education: High School, HECS-HELP and Helping with Education Funding for Grandkids

Welcome to the back to school edit!  In this episode we take a step back and look at the real cost of education, including the mindset behind how those decisions get made. In this episode, we break education spending into three key stages: High school education costs — what families really pay under the public system, Catholic schools, and independent schools, and why high school is often where education becomes a meaningful cashflow decision. University costs and HECS-HELP — how much a typical degree costs, how the HECS system works, and the long-term impact of paying upfront versus carrying education debt. Helping the next generation — the role parents and grandparents often play in funding education, and how options like education bonds can provide a structured and intentional way to support future learning. Throughout the episode, we come back to the mindset piece — the psychology of competing priorities, finite resources, and the expectations we carry as parents and grandparents. Education decisions are rarely just about numbers. They’re about values, roles, and choosing how your money supports the future you care about. If this episode sparked a thought or a conversation, please share it with someone navigating school fees, HECS decisions, or supporting the next generation. And if you’d like help understanding how education fits into your broader financial picture, Helene and Naomi are here to help - reach out via the website: www.hermoneymatters.com.au