Parents whose children attend Catholic schools in the more affluent areas of Sydney will pay higher fees than those attending schools in poorer areas, and the long-held policy of a flat tuition fee will be abandoned next year.

For the first time, there will be different fee structures for the 150 schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney. For about 35 schools in richer suburbs, fees will rise by as much as 9 per cent, while some schools in the poorest areas will have a fee reduction. Discounts for siblings will also be phased out gradually.

Catholic schools in rich areas of Sydney are set to pay higher fees. Credit:Peter Braig

In a letter to parents, the executive director of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney, Dan White, said changes to the federal government's funding model meant schools in suburbs with higher socio-economic status ratings would be expected to contribute more to their individual budgets.