From humble beginnings over 200 years ago, Australia’s 1,755 Catholic schools now educate nearly 820,000 or one in five Australian students and employ over 112,000 staff.
Catholic schools have been serving families for over 200 years. Millions of Australian students have been educated in our schools since 1820.
Catholic education continues to be a major education provider in Australia. In 2024, over 820,000 students were enrolled in a Catholic school nationwide, a year-over-year enrolment increase of around 13,900 from 2023.
In 2023, almost 1.33 million students are enrolled in a faith-based school nationwide. A year-over-year increase of around 21,600 students from 2022.
In 2023, around 32.5 per cent of all Australian students are educated in faith-based schools. Catholic schools are the major provider of faith-based education in the country, enrolling about 60.7 per cent of students in the non-government sector.
This growth shows the great importance Australian families place on choosing a school that meets the needs of their child and reflects their values and beliefs.
Catholic schools give families the choice of a comprehensive, balanced and accesible education. Sharing our Catholic faith, lifting educational standards, and supporting the diverse needs and wellbeing of students is at the heart of our mission.
Our schools are inclusive, welcoming students from all backgrounds, with growing numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students with disability. Almost 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside major metropolitan areas.