School census figures reveal WA private schools growing faster than public, despite cost of living crunch

WA private schools are growing at a faster rate than public schools — despite the cost-of-living crisis. As migration and population growth drive up numbers across all school sectors, latest Education Department census data shows this year’s 2.6 per cent jump in enrolments at private schools eclipsed the 1.4 per cent increase at public schools. The public schools’ share of the WA market fell for a fifth consecutive year, dropping from 67.9 per cent in 2020 to 65.8 per cent this year. More than one-third of WA students, or 34.2 per cent, now attend a private school, either independent or Catholic. Association of Independent Schools of WA executive director Chris Massey said WA was following a nationwide trend, with the strongest growth seen in independent schools — particularly faith-based, affordable schools in Perth’s outer suburbs. “Choice is important to parents — we offer a range of schools of all different levels of fees,” he said. “It’s growth across the board, but certainly faith-based, low fee-paying schools have had the biggest increase. “The other factor is the growth of new schools, which we have seen over the last few years.” In the past five years, enrolments have skyrocketed by 42 per cent at the seven low-fee schools run by Swan Christian Education Association, which include Beechboro Christian School. Chief executive Graeme Cross said sometimes people assumed parents’ choice was all about a school’s facilities. “While that’s part of it, that’s really not the main driver,” he said. “It is the teachers and the values-based education that is the driving force.” Ross Barron, principal of high-fee boys’ school Wesley College which charges up to $31,890 a year, said he had seen a steady rise in numbers in the past five years and predicted the school would reach capacity in two years. “Probably the most pleasing thing is the boarding house is completely full and our junior school is full,” he said. “We’re seeing the same increase that most independent schools are seeing. The co-curricular program, shared values with other parents and the pastoral care — they’d be the main three reasons that parents tell me.” Catholic Education WA reported it had seen its biggest 12-month enrolment growth in 10 years. Education Department strategy and policy executive director Raechelle Lee said enrolments across all WA schools increased by 9069, with 4653 more public school students this year compared to the same time last year. Two new schools had opened to cater for growing numbers. The flight away from public schools is a national trend, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting the public school market share dropped in all jurisdictions last year. WA had the third-highest public school market share behind the Northern Territory and Tasmania. Curtin University education policy lecturer Matthew Sinclair said the trend towards private schools, particularly as living costs went up, showed the value parents placed on education. “I also think it’s the result of several decades of Federal Government policy that has supported the expansion of the private school sector,” he said. “And at the other end, you’ve seen public schools that have not been funded up to the standard that many of us would like to see.”