Independent Education in Australia
The Great Education Shift
Why are more Australian families choosing Independent schools?
New national research from Independent Schools Australia explores what parents value when choosing a school, how families make their decisions and what they want their children to experience at school.
Source: Independent Schools Australia, The Great Education Shift, July 2026.
Explore the key findingsThe central finding
Parents choose a school, not a sector.
One of the strongest messages from the research is that families are making highly personal decisions about education.
Parents are looking for the school they believe will best support their child academically, socially and personally.
Their decision considers learning, safety, expectations, wellbeing, values and, ultimately, whether the school feels like the right fit for their child and family.
Key findings
What Australian parents are telling us
Six findings from the national research.
- 96%
Values matter
96% say alignment between school and family values is important.
- 43%
Visiting builds confidence
43% say school tours help build confidence when deciding which school is right for their family.
- 47%
Safety comes first
47% identify a safe environment as one of the things that matters most to children in their day-to-day school experience.
- 46%
Learning should be enjoyable
46% identify enjoyable learning as an important part of their child’s school experience.
- 75%
Families make education a priority
75% of current families surveyed have adjusted their household budgets to afford their current school fees.
- 1 in 6
A growing part of Australian education
Independent schools now educate around one in six Australian students.
Family priorities
What matters when choosing a school?
The research found there isn’t one single reason families choose an Independent school. Parents consider a combination of academic quality, safety, expectations, wellbeing, values and fit.
- 37%
- Strong academic reputation
- 32%
- Safe and supportive environment
- 26%
- Discipline and high expectations
- 22%
- Values aligned with the family
- 22%
- Strong student wellbeing
“Parents are not choosing between academic and personal development. They want both.”
The decision journey
From first impression to finding the right fit
Choosing a school is rarely based on one brochure, statistic or website visit. The research shows that confidence develops through reputation, recommendations and first-hand experience.
- Hear about the school
- Ask other parents
- Visit the school
- Meet teachers and staff
- Test the fit
Community reputation was the most influential source of confidence at 50%, followed by recommendations from other parents and school tours at 43% each, and direct conversations with teachers or staff at 40%.
Seeing and experiencing a school for yourself remains an important part of the decision.
Across Australia
Independent education looks different in every community.
Australia’s Independent schools include metropolitan, regional and remote schools, faith-based and non-faith schools, boarding schools, special schools and Special Assistance Schools.
Independent schools serve communities with widely different needs, giving families access to a diverse range of educational approaches and environments.
- Independent schools
- 1,240
- Students
- 767,712
- Regional
- 30.2%
- Remote
- 3.6%
Independent Schools Australia
The Great Education Shift
Why Australian families are choosing Independent schools
Read the full research
Explore The Great Education Shift
Want to take a deeper look at the research?
Download the complete report from Independent Schools Australia to explore the findings on school choice, family priorities, affordability and the role Independent schools play in Australian education.
Download the Full ReportThe Great Education Shift
Why Australian families are choosing Independent schools
Independent Schools Australia
July 2026
Finding the right school starts with experiencing it.
Every family is different, and every child is different. The best way to understand whether a school feels right for your family is to see it, meet the people and ask questions.
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