Private School Enrolments Surge in Australia as Public Schools Face Decline

New data reveals record-low public school enrolments, with funding disparities and parental preferences driving a shift towards private education.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows public school enrolments fell to 63.4% in 2024, the lowest proportion on record, while private schools gained 39,589 new students.
Independent schools saw significant growth, particularly in low-to-middle fee institutions, with enrolments increasing by 18.5% over five years compared to just 1% growth in public schools.
Parents cite perceived better resources, values alignment, and smaller class sizes as reasons for choosing private education, despite rising tuition fees and cost-of-living pressures.
Education experts and advocates attribute the decline in public school enrolments to chronic underfunding and overcrowding, which they argue exacerbate educational inequalities.
The government is working towards a new funding agreement to fully fund public schools by 2034, but critics argue this timeline is too slow to address current challenges.