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CHARACTERISTICS OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

Independent schools are a significant, large and growing component of the Australian schooling system. They have a reputation as providers of quality education and are recognised for their leadership and innovation in school education.

Including independent Catholic schools, 1,209 of the 9,614 schools in Australia are in the Independent school sector. In 2022, they enrolled 688,638 students, 17 per cent of the Australian student population, or one in six students.

Independent schools are diverse, in terms of the communities they serve, their student population, their size and their nature. This diversity has long been considered a major strength of the Independent schooling system, serving well the needs of a geographically dispersed, socially mixed, multicultural and multi-faith population.

The Independent school sector is characterised by;

  • broad choice for parents
  • strong community links
  • diversity of school type, size and focus
  • autonomous governance arrangements
  • comprehensive accountability.

Size of Independent schools

FEWER THAN 50 STUDENTS 11%
50 — 199 STUDENTS 26%
200 — 999 STUDENTS 42%
1,000 — 1,999 STUDENTS 18%
2,000 OR MORE STUDENTS 31 SCHOOLS OR 3%

 

Number of Independent schools

PRIMARY 226 19%
SECONDARY 74 6%
COMBINED 766 63%
SPECIAL SCHOOLS 143 12%
TOTAL 1,209 100%

 

Many Independent schools are affiliated with a particular religion or promote a particular educational philosophy.

School affiliation in the Independent sector, 2022

Affiliation Schools Student FTE %
Anglican 154 168,140 24.4%
Non-Denominational 235 100,067 14.5%
Christian 158 82,779 12.0%
Uniting Church 42 51,318 7.5%
Islamic 53 46,278 6.7%
Catholic, Roman 52 43,992 6.4%
Lutheran 80 43,476 6.3%
Baptist 41 25,382 3.7%
Inter-Denominational 23 18,473 2.7%
Seventh Day Adventist 44 15,678 2.3%
Presbyterian 13 12,156 1.8%
Steiner 50 9,515 1.4%
Jewish 19 9,186 1.3%
Pentecostal 20 9,068 1.3%
Assemblies of God 11 7,496 1.1%
Brethren 20 5,568 0.8%
Montessori 39 4,984 0.7%
Catholic, Other 8 3,760 0.5%
Orthodox, Greek 8 3,851 0.6%
Orthodox, Other 6 2,463 0.4%
Other Religious Affiliation* 14 6,108 0.9%
Other** 119 18,901 2.7%
Source: Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
*Other Religious Affiliation includes Churches of Christ, Ananda Marga, Hare Krishna and Society of Friends
**Other includes special schools, international schools, indigenous schools, and community schools.

All recognised government and non-government schools in Australia operate within the bounds of state and territory and Australian Government legislation which together impose requirements in relation to financial operation, accountability, the curriculum, assessment and reporting.

1 in 6

Australian students in Independent schools

12 THESIGER COURT
DEAKIN ACT 2600
PO BOX 324
DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600

Independent Schools Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and commit to the ongoing journey of reconciliation.