The new figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), reflect the sector’s growing importance within the states, according to Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) and Independent Schools NSW (ISNSW).

Victoria’s independent schools have welcomed more than 6000 additional students in the past year, according to the new data, while enrolments increased by 6816 students in NSW.

ISV chief executive, Rachel Holthouse, said the data “reinforces the sector’s crucial contribution to the state’s education ecosystem”, while ISNSW chief executive Margery Evans said the data confirms a long-term trend of families consciously seeking schools that reflect their values and beliefs.

Holthouse said Victoria would simply not function as it does without the contribution of independent schools and the families who choose them.

“Independent schools are not one-size-fits-all,” she said.

“They are faith-based schools, community-founded schools, specialist schools and regional schools.

“They support students with disability, students requiring tailored learning environments, and families seeking an education aligned with their religion and values.”

Independent Schools Victoria chief exceutive Rachel Holthouse says for many families, independent schools are the only setting that reflects their faith, culture or educational philosophy.

Evans, meanwhile, said much of the enrolment growth in her state was in low- and mid-fee faith-based schools serving low to middle income families in Sydney’s newest and fastest growing suburbs.

“Families regard education as an important investment for their child in an increasingly uncertain world,” Evans explained.

“Parents may also be influenced by more practical considerations; more than 85 per cent of independent schools are co-educational and two-thirds combine primary and secondary into one school.

“Many families prefer these types of environments for their child.”

Almost 179,000 Victorian students are now educated in independent schools – a 3.5 per cent increase in the past 12 months, with the figures showing independent schools are growing faster than both the government and Catholic sectors – with government schools growing by 0.5 per cent and Catholic schools by 1.1 per cent.

In NSW, the ABS Schools 2025 data shows that total enrolments in all NSW school sectors grew by just 2415 students last year, however independent school enrolments increased by 6816 students, Catholic system school enrolments rose by 2558, and government school enrolments declined by 6959.

Independent schools now educate a total of 252,268 NSW students.

In Victoria, some of the strongest enrolment increases are in Melbourne’s outer metropolitan corridors, where families are seeking accessible schooling options close to home, ISV said.

Independent schools in these areas, the association said, are reducing pressure on the government system and ensuring educational provision keeps pace with population growth.

Growth is strongest in areas experiencing rapid population expansion, including the City of Wyndham (+1,175 students), the Shire of Melton (+558), the City of Casey (+534), the City of Whittlesea (+463) and the City of Hume (+409).

ISV said of equal significance is the growth in independent schools dedicated to students with special assistance and specialist learning needs.

In just five years, it said, the number of these schools has grown by more than 150 per cent to 32, now supporting almost 5000 students across Victoria.

Since 2020, enrolments in this part of the sector have grown by around 20 per cent each year, including the opening of 12 new specialist schools.

This growth reflects rising demand for tailored learning environments for students whose needs are not always met in mainstream settings.

“For many families, independent schools are the only setting that reflects their faith, culture or educational philosophy,” Holthouse said.

Evans said parents also valued the strong community links, explicit wellbeing programs, and co-curricular sports and arts opportunities available in many independent schools.

Seven new independent schools or campuses opened in NSW in 2025, taking the total number in the state to 580.