Qld independent school enrolments rise at expense of state schools

Independent and Catholic schools are luring Queensland families away from the government system, prompting the Education Minister to request an explanation from her top bureaucrat.

Toby Crockford

@tobycrockford23

less than 2 min read

February 18, 2024 - 5:00PM

Education Minister Di Farmer on Sunday. Picture: Adam Head

Schools Hub

Don't miss out on the headlines from Schools Hub. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Queensland state school enrolments have slipped by almost 5000 in two years, with the latest data revealing a continuing exodus to independent and Catholic options.

State school enrolments increased on average by 10,000 per year from 2018-20, before slowing in 2021.

Numbers then went backwards by 3600 in 2022, and new Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows enrolments decreased a further 1300 in 2023.

Meanwhile, Queensland independent school enrolments grew by 5200 in 2021-22 and another 5800 in 2022-23.

Catholic schools have also grown steadily, with an increase of 1865 in 2021-22 and 2324 in 2022-23.

Queensland school enrolments across all sectors have grown by about 10,300 since 2021.

Independent Schools Queensland CEO Chris Mountford said the more than 230 independent schools catered for families looking for small vocational-focused colleges, special assistance schools for disengaged youth, or a faith-based education.

“We know Queensland’s population is growing, and with that will come with a greater mix of religions, beliefs and ethos, and the community expectation that schools will be available to cater for this diversity,” he said.

Five new independent schools opened across the state in 2023, compared with two new state schools, and the Catholic sector actually reduced its number of schools by one compared with 2022.

Education Minister Di Farmer said parents were able to make their own choice, but the government had implemented “amazing reforms” in the state school system.

“I’m getting a briefing from the (Department of Education’s) director-general on what those figures actually mean,” she said.

“We are seeing excellent results from the change in the way we deliver the curriculum … and we’re just about to deliver a new reading curriculum.

“I’m really confident that our reforms are having an impact, and we’ll look at those figures and see if there’s anything more that we need to do.”

Mr Mountford said the sector had grown by 75 per cent in 20 years, from 83,841 enrolments in 2003 to 147,268 students in 2023.

“With mid-range estimates from the Queensland government suggesting an additional 90,000 school students by 2046, it’s imperative that we begin planning for adequate community infrastructure to accommodate this growth now,” he said.