I live in Melbourne and I believe that has a huge influence on whether or not private schools are necessary.

I'm in my mid 30s and still get asked what school I went to. It still influences people's perceptions of me as a person. Sure it shouldn't be that way, but it is.
Yes, that was something I noticed in Melbourne. Even before having children, I was told that if and when I did have children, I would HAVE to send them to a private school, otherwise I would not get promotions. Ridiculous really and one of the many factors why I chose to turn my back on a professional career.

Thankfully with the move, the pressure to go private is much less, if anything the only ones who care about private down here, are not people who I tend to be friends with. Oh and MIL, but that needs a thread to itself