Independent Schools at a Glance 2020
Independent Schools at a Glance 2020
Schools: 1,148
Independent schools in Australia.
Fees: $5,439
The median fee of an Australian Independent school.
Government Support:
Average Australian Government recurrent funding per school student:
- Independent school: $9,890
- Catholic school: $11,720
- Government school: $18,390.
Students with Disability: 120,534**
The enrolment share of students with a disability in Independent schools is greater than the overall enrolment share of Independent schools.
Indigenous Students: 14,340
The number of Indigenous students enrolled in 897 Independent schools.
- 40 Independent schools have an Indigenous enrolment of more than 50%
- Independent schools are Australia’s largest provider of boarding schools for Indigenous students.
Students: 631,762*
Attending Independent schools in Australia.
Savings to Govt: $4.8 billion
The additional recurrent funding cost to governments if every Independent school student moved to the government school system.
Contribution to the Economy:
Australian Independent schools employ 96,862 staff, annually contributing:
- Salaries and wages of $7.4 billion
- PAYG tax of $1.6 billion
- Superannuation contributions of $736 million.
Capital Funding: 89%
The average percentage of capital funding for Independent schools that comes from parents and communities.
Diversity:
Statistics are from 2019 and derived from ABS, DET, and Productivity Commission data. Funding figures use the latest available data which is for financial year 2017-18 or calendar year 2018.
* The total student figure of 631,762 includes independent Catholic schools.
** The methodology used to calculate students with disability changed in 2018 and has resulted in significant changes in numbers.
