Overview
- ABS data show 1,547,514 students in private schools and 2,613,404 in public schools in 2025, lifting private market share to a record 37.2%.
- New South Wales recorded nearly 7,000 fewer public school students last year, marking a seventh straight year of decline in the sector’s share.
- Victoria bucked the national pattern as private enrolments rose about 3.5% to nearly 179,000 and government enrolments increased about 0.5% to more than 665,000.
- Enrolment growth is concentrated in low- and mid-fee faith-based independents serving new growth corridors, including rapid expansion of Islamic schools in Sydney’s south-west.
- Researchers warn the shift is deepening school segregation and equity gaps, even as parents report they are least willing to cut back on education spending for wellbeing and discipline benefits.