Multiple outlets report that raising a child in Australia can cost as much as a small mortgage, with everyday expenses adding up even before education is included. The articles describe financial pressure on parents from general costs associated with bringing up children, and note that the estimate is presented as a baseline that does not yet account for major education-related items. They also reference additional expenses commonly faced by families, such as private school fees and other paid activities that can occur alongside schooling, including lessons and medical or orthodontic costs. While the sources use similar framing, they agree on the core point: the total cost burden can be substantial early on, and additional categories—particularly education—can further increase household spending. Across the reporting, the emphasis is on what families pay for both necessities and common supplementary expenses, highlighting that education-related costs can be layered on top of an already high baseline cost of raising children.