Private School Enrolments Soar in Australian Urban Growth Areas
Enrolments in Australian public schools have plummeted to another record low, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Between 2016 and 2025, government school enrolments grew by a mere 5%, while Catholic schools saw an 8% increase and independent schools surged by 31%. This trend is most pronounced in urban growth corridors on the outskirts of major cities, where families are increasingly opting for private education.
Funding Disparities and Parental Choices
Emma Rowe, an associate professor of education at Deakin University, attributes this shift to long-term underfunding of public schools, coupled with substantial government capital grants to private institutions. Research from the Australian Education Union reveals that in 2023, the average capital funding grant to public schools was $75,492, just under 7% of the $1,098,334 average for private schools. Rowe warns that this inequity constitutes a national crisis, as capital funding significantly influences parental decisions.
"The one big thing that gets parents in the door, absolutely without a doubt, is the buildings," Rowe explains. "They walk into a school and are impressed by facilities like gyms, football pitches, or concert halls." She criticises the framing of education as a consumer choice, arguing it undermines social mobility and democratic health.
Case Study: Caroline Springs and Southern Cross Grammar
In Caroline Springs, Melbourne, the population has expanded from a sparse community to over 24,000 residents, with a high proportion of children under 15. This growth has spurred a rise in private school enrolments. Independent Schools Victoria reports that the city of Melton, which includes Caroline Springs, was the second-largest growth area for independent schools last year, with 558 additional enrolments. Adjacent Wyndham led with 1,175 new students. Catholic schools in Caroline Springs alone grew by 12% over five years.
Southern Cross Grammar, an independent not-for-profit school, exemplifies this trend. Established in 2011 after the collapse of ICA Melton College, it has grown from 46 students to 930 this year, with a cap of 980. Principal Brayden Stone notes the school's popularity but acknowledges accessibility challenges for local families. "We're only two years away from maximum numbers, which is a great problem to have, but also a problem for those wanting access," he says.
Parental Perspectives and Financial Sacrifices
Families like Ana Mulipola's highlight the motivations behind choosing private education. Mulipola, who moved to Caroline Springs 22 years ago, sent her three boys to a Catholic primary school for shared values and religious background. When they reached high school, her children chose to continue in Catholic education, costing about $5,000 per child annually. "I said, 'we're not paying all this money for you to just muck around'," she recalls.
Tania Tkatchyk, a parent from Taylors Hill, spends approximately $55,000 yearly to send her four children to Southern Cross Grammar. She values the school's community feel and academic focus. "We want to give them the best opportunity academically that we can afford," Tkatchyk states, adding she has no regrets despite the financial burden.
Socioeconomic Divides and Future Implications
The concentration of wealth in private schools is stark. At Springside Primary, the local public school, 27% of students are from the most disadvantaged socioeconomic quartile, compared to 19% at St George Preca Catholic primary and only 3% at Southern Cross Grammar. Trevor Cobbold of Save Our Schools emphasises that funding gaps directly impact educational resources and parental perceptions. "People are not silly. They can see it, and they talk to other parents," he says.
As private school enrolments climb, the debate over education funding and equity intensifies, raising concerns about the long-term effects on Australia's social fabric and democratic principles.
