With many families across the state choosing alternative educations for their children, official school and student data by the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW), is showing that tens of thousands of low-to-middle income families are prioritising an education for their children that reflects their beliefs, values and philosophies over other spending.
AISNSW says the face of Independent schooling has changed forever, with new data showing more families across regional NSW are choosing an affordable faith or non-faith Independent education for their children.
Enrolment Dynamics
Enrolment Dynamics, an annual study of official school and student data by the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW), shows that tens of thousands of low-to-middle income families are prioritising an education for their children that reflects their beliefs, values and philosophies over other spending.
AISNSW Chief Executive, Margery Evans, says enrolment growth has been strongest in low-to-mid fee Christian, Islamic, Anglican or secular schools serving families in Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs and northern NSW. ‘In fact, Independent schools recorded higher student growth than government and Catholic system schools in 25 of the 28 ABS-defined NSW Statistical Area regions between 2019 and 2024.
‘In 2025, the typical Independent school is co-ed, K-12, faith-based, located west of Parramatta and charging less than $6,000 a year,’ she said.
The key findings
Key findings in Enrolment Dynamics, 2025 Edition include: that since 2000, NSW Independent schools have enrolled almost two-thirds of the state’s additional students, growing by 101,565 (compared with 39,817 in Catholic systemic schools and 18,500 in government schools); in the past five years, more new students were enrolled in NSW Independent schools than in every Australian state and territory government school sector combined; more than half the students attending NSW Independent schools are from low-to-medium income families; and, the median fee collected in NSW Independent schools is less than $6,000 a year.
Ms Evans said the remarkable aspect about this student growth is that the Independent sector comprises only 430 schools, or 14 per cent of the state’s schools.
Record low birth rate
Enrolment Dynamics also reflects forecasts that Australia’s record low birth rate will moderate student growth in all school sectors over the next 10 years.
Total enrolment growth is expected to slow to an average of 5,100 per year – less than half the pre-pandemic average – driven by migration, as Australia’s fertility rate falls to 1.5 births per woman.
Ms Evans said parents valued the strong community links, explicit wellbeing programs, and co-curricular academic, sports and arts opportunities available in many Independent schools. ‘There are also practical considerations; half of NSW Independent schools are combined primary/secondary and co-educational schools, an environment many families prefer for their child.
‘Independent schools are also far more affordable than many people realise; more Independent schools charge less than $2,000 per year than over $20,000.
‘NSW Independent schools account for almost 20 per cent of all the state’s enrolments, up from 13 per cent in 2000. They employ over 33,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, including 21,000 FTE teachers, and make a significant contribution to the state’s prosperity as well as the lives of students’.
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