Surge in private school enrolments amid fears of ‘full blown flight’ from public system

<p>Over five years to 2024, independent school enrolments surged by 18.5%, while Catholic school enrolments increased by 6.6% and public school enrolments rose by just 1%</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/17/australia-news-live-victoria-police-sydney-trains-industrial-action-interest-rates-election-campaign-cost-of-living-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p></p><p>The number of students enrolling in private schools in Australia has soared over the past five years, raising fears of “full-blown flight” from public schools.</p><p>The number of students enrolled in Australia increased by 45,008 in 2024 compared with the year before. Of those, 5,419 went to government schools while 39,589 went to the private sector.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/feb/17/australia-public-school-attendance-statistics-record-low-abs">Continue reading...</a>