New data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that total school enrolments reached a record high of 4,160,918 in 2025.
While the overall student population grew by 0.7%, the independent sector remained the primary engine of growth, rising by 3.4% over the past year.
The outpaced Catholic schools, which grew by 1.4%, while government school enrolments saw a slight decline of 0.2%.
ABS Head of Education Statistics, Mell Plumb, highlighted a significant long-term shift in the educational landscape.
"Between 2016 and 2025, we’ve seen enrolments in independent schools rise by 31%," Plumb noted.
This represents an additional 168,448 students choosing private education over the last decade, compared to a 5% increase in the government sector.