Key information about trends and projections for enrolments in Independent schools
Enrolments in the Independent sector grew by 3.1 per cent in 2021 to 667,259 student enrolments. This is the sector’s strongest growth in more than a decade, despite student population growth of only 0.6 per cent. The Catholic school sector enrolments increased by 1.4 per cent and government sector enrolments decreased by 0.3 per cent.
The Independent sector’s share of enrolments increased across every state and territory, suggesting that Independent schools have been preferred by parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.