This analysis aims to provide a framework to better understand the trends in Independent schooling, as well as nationally, and to inform a comprehensive understanding of schooling in Australia.

The figures in this report have been compiled using comprehensive national enrolment data, sector-specific growth projections, and independent analysis of demographic trends across Australia, ensuring a thorough and accurate representation of the Independent school sector.

Key Findings from the report:

• There are approximately 4.13 million full time equivalent students enrolled in Australian schools across all three school sectors. The government school sector has the most enrolments (2.615 million or 63.4% of total enrolments), followed by the Catholic school sector (0.768 million or 18.6%) and the Independent school sector (0.745 million or 18.0%).
• The overall student population grew by 0.6% from 2020 to 2021, 0.3% from 2021 to 2022, 1.1% from 2022 to 2023, and 1.1% again from 2023 to 2024. The low growth in 2021 and 2022 was primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 and limits on immigration. Prior to this, the student population was growing on average by 1.4% per annum over the five years prior to 2021.
• Enrolments in Independent schools grew by 3.9% from 2023, the strongest growth in more than a decade, despite student population growth of only 1.1% and moderate enrolment growth in government schools (0.2%) and Catholic schools (1.7%).
• Over the past five years, Independent schools have had average enrolment growth of 3.4% per year which exceeds overall student population growth over the same period (0.9%), followed by Catholic schools with 1.3% and government schools with 0.2%.
• The Independent school sector has increased its enrolment share every year for the past eight years, climbing to a high of 18.0% in 2024. By 2024, the government school sector’s enrolment share has reached a historical low of 63.4%. The Catholic school sector share of enrolments peaked in 2013 with a high of 19.3% and is currently at 18.6% in 2024.
• About 80% of the additional students enrolled in Independent schools from 2019 onwards were in New South Wales, Victorian and Queensland Independent schools. – Growth in Independent schools was across all fee levels, with the strongest growth in Independent schools with average per student fees below $7,500.
• Over the last five years, major cities have accounted for 78% of Independent school enrolment growth, with 22% of enrolment growth occurring in regional and remote areas.
• Over the last five years, Western Australian Independent schools were the fastest growing state/sector1 with average annual growth of 4.6%, followed by Queensland Independent schools with average annual growth of 4.3% and Victorian Independent schools with 3.3%.
• ISA projections show that the overall student population in Australia could increase by 0.2%2 per year to 2034, with the Independent school sector growing by 1.4% per year, the Catholic school sector growing by 0.2% per year and the government school sector decreasing by 0.1% per year. ISA projects that the Independent school sector may overtake the Catholic school sector in enrolments by 2027.
• Over the next 10 years, ISA projects that Independent schools could enrol approximately 114,000 additional students. Based on an average campus size of 437 students3, around 260 additional Independent schools/campuses would be required to accommodate the projected increase in students. Based on the current distribution of students and schools, it is anticipated that more than 8 out of 10 of these new schools will need to be in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.