WA school enrolments are booming, but one sector is reaping the most reward

Western Australia recorded the nation’s highest growth in school enrolment rates of any state or territory across the 2025 academic year, new figures have revealed.

The Australia Bureau of Statistics released updated data on school enrolments this week, with WA recording a 1.5 per cent growth, followed by Victoria and the ACT at 1.1 per cent each.

The enrolment growth matched a significant population growth rate for five to 19-year-olds across the state.

While government school enrolments only grew by 1 per cent, it was the non-government sector (which includes independent and Catholic schools) that dominated, with a growth rate of 2.5 per cent.

Independent schools nationally increased enrolments by 3.4 per cent, well above growth across the overall student population.

In WA that growth was 3.5 per cent.

Australian Independent Schools WA executive director Chris Massey said the continued growth in independent school enrolments reflected “the value WA families place on choice when selecting a school for their children”.

“Parents want the opportunity to find the school that aligns with their child’s needs, values and goals, and that diversity is one of the strengths of our education system,” he said.

“Independent schools help reduce pressure on the public education system while at the same time ensuring every child has access to the support that aligns with their needs.”

Independent Schools Australia chief executive Graham Catt said the figures reflected a clear and sustained trend.

“Most independent school families are middle-income Australians who are making real sacrifices to prioritise their children’s education,” he said.

University of Western Australia social demographer Amanda Davies said WA had experienced sustained population growth for close to a decade.

“We’re now seeing the cumulative impact of that in our schooling system,” she said.

“Younger workers who moved here for employment are starting or growing their families.

“We have also been retaining more young people after their education or training who are choosing to build their lives in WA rather than move to the East Coast.

“This has resulted in a strong population base for natural growth.”

Davies said WA was particularly attractive to young families moving to access the strong jobs market in industries such as resources, construction, health and professional services.

While housing conditions are challenging, Perth also remains relatively more affordable than Sydney and Melbourne, with larger homes, shorter commute times and a lower-density urban environment.

“The strong economy and relatively affordable housing, combined with lifestyle factors, continues to make WA an attractive place to live and raise children,” Davies said.

“At this time, there is no strong evidence to suggest that other social factors, such as prevalence of violence in major East Coast cities, are driving migration choices – but there is some initial anecdotal evidence that suggests that this is a potential influential factor for some and something to keep an eye on.”

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