March 2010     Over the last ten years, the number of students in non-government schools rose eightfold compared to the number of students in government schools, according to findings released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The Australian Capital Territory had the highest proportion of non-government full-time students (43%) while Northern Territory had the lowest (26%).

Since 1999, the number of students in non-government schools rose by 208 500 students while the number of students in government schools rose by only 26,200 students.

Despite this, the majority of students in Australia still attend government schools with around two thirds of full-time students attending government schools in 2009.

The report also revealed that:

• Indigenous student retention rates are increasing, but they are still lower than for non-Indigenous students.
• While the number of schools decreased, the number of students increased over the past decade.
• The students to teaching staff ratio was similar in government and non-government schools. In government primary schools for example, there were 15.5 students for every teaching staff, compared with 16.5 students for every teaching staff in non-government primary schools. For government secondary schools, there were 12.3 students for every teaching staff compared with 11.7 students for every teaching staff in non-government secondary school

From information provided by the ABS, March 16, 2010.  This summary is included in Schools, Australia 2009 (cat. no. 4221.0)

Register now to join the YourKidsEd e-mailing list for updates on new links and education information. It's FREE!!