In fresh evidence of Western Australia’s struggling economy, Perth’s most exclusive schools are taking parents to court over unpaid fees even as overall the state's private school fee increases are lagging well behind the east coast's.

Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Peppermint Grove and Christ Church Grammar in Claremont are the city's most expensive schools in terms of total 2019 fees for a Year 12 student, education startup Edstart’s National School Fee Report showed.

Artist's impression of PLC's new music centre, on which construction will start later this year.

The father of a former PLC student is to appear before a means inquiry later this month, and another means inquiry hearing in a case brought by Christ Church is being heard also.

Yet another hearing was held at Perth Magistrates Court on Friday concerning John XXIII College in Mount Claremont seeking $20,000 in unpaid fees from the mother of three former students.