ISA Media Release – WA Takes Centre Stage in National School Choice Counts Campaign

• Today’s event at St Stephen’s School marks the WA leg of the national campaign, which represents over 716,000 students nationally, including more than 90,000 students in more than 160 Independent schools across WA.
• With a community of 2.5 million passionate families, teachers, and supporters nationwide, this campaign aims to raise awareness about the value of school choice ahead of the election.
• New research commissioned by Independent Schools Australia and conducted by Insightfully* in March 2025 surveyed over 500 Independent school parents nationwide, including a representative sample from WA, revealing the real financial impact of policy changes on families:
• 72% of WA Independent school parents say they would have to seriously adjust their household budget if school fees increased by 15% or more. 10% were unsure if they could actually cope meaning only 18% could absorb.
• 28% of WA parents would be forced to cut back on essentials like groceries, medicine, and transport just to keep their child in an Independent school—higher than the national average of 26%.
• 66% name cost of living as the biggest election issue (55% nationally).
• 73% of WA parents think the national economy will not get better over the next 6 months with 35% of parents saying it is headed in the wrong direction.
• 55% of WA Independent school parents (current and future) would be less likely to vote for a party that reduces funding for Independent schools students, 40% say it would have no impact on their vote.
• ISA CEO Graham Catt said many WA families are making real sacrifices to provide the best education for their children and should not be punished for doing so.
• “These are everyday families who work hard and pay taxes. Many are even going without essentials to keep their children in the school that best suits their needs,” he said.
• “The cost-of-living crisis is already pushing many parents from all school sectors to the limit. The last thing they need is bad policy, based on ideology and misleading information that hurts Independent schools and the hundreds of thousands of families they serve.
• “School funding should never be a zero-sum game. If governments get it wrong, it’s families who pay the price.”
• Principal Donella Beare of St Stephen’s School, one of WA’s leading mid-fee Independent schools, said the narrative around Independent education can be misleading and harmful to families.

“We are an inclusive mainstream school, our families come from all walks of life, but they share a common thread, all are hardworking people who made the choice to send their children to our school.” Mrs Beare said.

“Like most Independent school’s we’re concerned about federal funding instability because it directly impacts our families, some of whom have made major sacrifices to send their children to an Independent school.”

• St Stephen’s School is a multi-campus, co-educational school with just under 2,300 students, it is one of many WA Independent schools that offer scholarships, bursaries, fee assistance, diverse curriculum options and specialist programs to help students thrive.
• SCHOOL CHOICE COUNTS – FIVE KEY POLICY PRIORITIES
• As part of the School Choice Counts campaign, ISA is calling for all political parties to commit to five key priorities:
• 1️ Protecting Family Choice – Guarantee stable, predictable funding that keep school fees accordable.
• 2️ Ending the Blame Game – a commitment to cross-sector collaboration to address shared challenges.
• 3️ Supporting Vulnerable Students – Ensure fair and stable funding for students with disabilities, Indigenous students, and those in Special Assistance Schools.
• 4️ Investing in Cross-Sector Innovation – Establish a $50 million fund to drive solutions in teacher retention, student well-being, and future-focused learning.
• 5 Building Choice into the Future – Expand the Capital Grants Program to meet rising demand, particularly in WA’s growing suburbs.
• Download the full policy document here: https://schoolchoicecounts.isa.edu.au/our-5-key-policy-priorities/
• WA ENROLMENT GROWTH – THE FASTEST-GROWING SECTOR
• The Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA) Executive Director Chris Massey said WA’s Independent school sector continues to grow at a rapid pace, with a 4.0% enrolment increase in 2022-23, the fastest-growing school sector in the state.
• With over 160 member schools, AISWA is reinforcing its call for education policies that put the needs of every child first, regardless of the school sector they attend.
• “Independent schools in WA cater to an incredibly diverse range of students and families,” Mr Massey said.
• “From Aboriginal Independent Community Schools in remote areas to CARE schools supporting at-risk youth, to regional boarding schools and faith-based schools in the suburbs—our schools are as varied as the students they serve.”
• WA’s Independent school sector educates over 90,000 students and employs nearly 14,000 people, representing 18% of all school students in the state.
• Massey said the national campaign builds on AISWA’s ongoing advocacy to ensure fair, needs-based education policy.
• “The WA Independent sector has a strong working relationship with the state government,” he said.
• “However, the majority of funding for non-government schools comes from the Federal Government, and we remain focused on advancing the interests of the Independent sector at a national level.”
• “Our policy priorities are common-sense proposals to ensure that every child has access to the best possible education, no matter what type of school they attend.”
• Independent Schools Australia (ISA) has launched School Choice Counts – a significant national election campaign that will see a campaign toolkit being distributed to over 1,216 schools and advertising in key seats in WA including Tangney and Curtin.
• WA by the Numbers
• Median annual fee for Independent: National: $5,537 WA: $5,121
• Projections show that by 2033 more than a third (34.5%) of WA’s students will attend non-government schools
• ISA projects that by 2033, Independent schools will enrol 19.7% of all Australian students, and 20.7% of WA students
• WA enrolment growth 2022-2023: Government 1.8% Catholic 1.4% Independent 4.0%

Visit – https://schoolchoicecounts.isa.edu.au/ to see the full suite of policies and learn more.

About Independent Schools Australia

Independent Schools Australia (ISA) represents the national interests of the Independent school sector. ISA works closely with member associations to advocate for choice, diversity, and fair funding—ensuring that all Australian families have access to high-quality education that meets their children’s needs.

*About the Research

Independent research agency, Insightfully, fielded the research from February 17 to March 3 among n=503 current and prospective Independent school parents nationwide who are registered voters. Data are weighted based on ABS and AEC statistics. The survey results are representative of the views of those parents to within a total margin of error of
+/-4.4% (at the 95% confidence interval).