ACCORDING to the latest 2025–26 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA) reports, Australia’s school system is quietly but surely changing. Painting a clear picture, the new figures show more families are turning to non–government schools, even as public schools remain the backbone of education for most children.
While government schools still educate nearly two–thirds of Australian students, enrolment growth across the sector tells a different story. Since 2022, independent schools have grown remarkably, while enrolments in public schools have slipped slightly. Catholic schools, meanwhile, have continued to attract increasing numbers of students.
All of this is occurring despite ongoing cost–of–living pressures and rising school fees. Even so, more families appear to be placing a high priority on their children’s education, often sacrificing other household spending—putting holidays on hold or delaying major purchases such as a new car—while investing in schooling they believe is worth the sacrifice. Notably, around 26 per cent of families choosing non–government schools are now taking out specialist education loans to help cover fees.
Currently, 62.8 per cent of Australian students attend government schools (approximately 2.61 million), while 20 per cent attend Catholic schools (around 831,000) and 17.2 per cent are enrolled in independent schools (about 715,000).
The growth in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enrolments is a positive sign, particularly improved retention through the senior years. Keeping students engaged through to Year 12 must remain a national priority.
None of this suggests public education is failing, but what it does, however, mean is that governments need to pay close attention as a strong education system depends on well–resourced public schools, just as much as a diverse mix of Catholic and independent options. In short what is key, is that Australia’s education landscape needs balance, fairness and access remaining central to the debate.
