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Public School Enrolment Hits Record Low Amid Funding Crisis

3/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Public school enrolments in Australia fell to a record low of 62.8% in 2025, down from 63.4% in 2024, as families increasingly choose private education.
Save Our Schools convener Trevor Cobbold attributed this shift to "massive underfunding" of public schools, with significant declines noted in New South Wales and Tasmania.
Independent schools now represent 38% of students in New South Wales, raising concerns from education experts about potential impacts on social cohesion.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare acknowledged improvements in high school retention rates but stressed the need for further action.

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Story summary

Public school enrolments in Australia fell to a record low of 62.8% in 2025, down from 63.4% in 2024, as families increasingly choose private education.
Save Our Schools convener Trevor Cobbold attributed this shift to "massive underfunding" of public schools, with significant declines noted in New South Wales and Tasmania.
Independent schools now represent 38% of students in New South Wales, raising concerns from education experts about potential impacts on social cohesion.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare acknowledged improvements in high school retention rates but stressed the need for further action.