How many independent schools are there?In 2010 there were 449* registered independent schools in NSW. (*includes 49 independent Catholic schools; includes all campuses)
Independent school numbers have increased significantly in NSW over the last 30 years. According to ABS Schools Australia data, there were 227 independent schools in NSW in 1983, increasing to 262 in 1993 and to 330 in 2009. ABS figures do not include independent Catholic schools or multiple campuses.
How many students are enrolled in independent schools?
In 2010 the NSW independent schools sector enrolled more than 174,000* students in primary and secondary schools, representing 15.6% of all students in NSW (*includes independent Catholic schools).
Independent schools account for almost 10% of all primary school enrolments in NSW and more than 19% of all secondary school enrolments. At the senior secondary level (Years 11 and 12) independent schools account for more than 20% of enrolments.
The number of students enrolled in independent schools has increased by an average of nearly 4% per year over the last 30 years.
*The above figures are derived from several sources, including the Australian Bureau of Statistics 'Schools Australia' series and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Non-Government Schools Census.
**ABS data does not count independent Catholic schools as independent schools whereas DEEWR data includes these schools under 'independent'.