Victorian Independent schools have welcomed more than 6,000 additional students in the past year, according to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Almost 179,000 students are now educated in independent schools — a 3.5 per cent increase in the past 12 months — reinforcing the sector’s essential role in meeting the diverse needs of families across Victoria.
More than one in six Victorian students (16.8 per cent) are now educated in an independent school, reflecting the sector’s growing importance within Victoria’s Education State. The figures show independent schools are growing faster than both the government and Catholic sectors — with government schools growing by 0.5 per cent and Catholic schools by 1.1 per cent. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data underscores the growing number of families actively choosing an education that aligns with their values and aspirations for their children.
Chief executive of Independent Schools Victoria, Rachel Holthouse, says the data reinforces the sector’s crucial contribution to the state’s education ecosystem.
“Independent schools are not one-size-fits-all,” Ms Holthouse says. “They are faith-based schools, community-founded schools, specialist schools and regional schools. They support students with disability, students requiring tailored learning environments, and families seeking an education aligned with their religion and values.”
Some of the strongest enrolment increases are in Melbourne’s outer-metropolitan corridors, where families are seeking accessible schooling options close to home. Independent schools in these areas are reducing pressure on the government system and ensuring educational provision keeps pace with population growth.
“Victoria’s Education State would simply not function as it does today without the contribution of independent schools and the families who choose them.”Rachel Holthouse, chief executive, Independent Schools Victoria
“Victoria’s Education State would simply not function as it does today without the contribution of independent schools and the families who choose them.”
Growth is strongest in areas experiencing rapid population expansion, including:
Equally significant is the growth in independent schools dedicated to students with special-assistance and specialist-learning needs. In just five years, the number of these schools has grown by more than 150 per cent to 32, now supporting almost 5000 students across Victoria. Since 2020, enrolments in this part of the sector have grown by around 20 per cent each year, including the opening of 12 new specialist schools.
This growth reflects rising demand for tailored learning environments for students whose needs are not always met in mainstream settings. Over the past five years, a total of 24 new independent schools have opened across Victoria in direct response to community demand. “For many families, independent schools are the only setting that reflects their faith, culture or educational philosophy,” Ms Holthouse says.
Together, government, Catholic and independent schools educate 1,062,622 Victorian students. Independent schools relieve pressure on the public system, create local employment, invest in infrastructure, and contribute to community life.
Policy settings that enable Independent schools to remain accessible and sustainable are essential, not only for families who choose them, but for the strength and diversity of Victoria’s entire education system.
Independent Schools Victoria03 9825 7200 enquiries@is.vic.edu.auis.vic.edu.au