Profile of Sector

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

  • Enrol 43,425 South Australian students and a further 659 full-fee paying overseas students in 96 registered schools.
  • Are the second largest provider of senior secondary education in the State.
  • Provide a diverse range of educational opportunities including primary only, combined, secondary only, co-educational and single sex schools.
  • Educate students within a curriculum underpinned by a diverse range of religious affiliations (Anglican, Baptist, Christian, Christadelphian, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist, Uniting) and educational philosophies (Montessori, Waldorf Steiner). The sector also includes a number of secular schools and a special school which educates students with severe intellectual disabilities.
  • Are accountable to parents, the community and governments (State/Commonwealth). The accountability of Independent schools to parents is a key strength of the sector. 
  • Have significantly increased in enrolments. From 23,498 in 1990 to over 43,400 in 2010. This growth has been most prominent in schools located in the outer suburbs and regional centres across South Australia.

Independent school students and families come from a diverse range of social, economic, religious and cultural backgrounds

The sector educates

  • 1,275 students with disabilities
  • 6,313 students with Learning Difficulties
  • 4,941 students on School Card
  • 506 Aboriginal/Torres Straight Islander students

FUNDING

  • All schools are funded by a mix of government (State & Commonwealth) and parent contributions.
  • State Governments provide the majority of funding to Government schools. The Australian Government provides the majority of government funding to Non-Government schools.
  • In Independent schools parents are a major contributor to their school's income.

Government Funding

State Commonwealth Per Capita Recurrent Expenditure for SA

On average governments spend over $6,000 more per student in an SA Government school ($12,459) than in an SA Non-Government school ($6,388).

 

 

To view larger picture of graph open the document below.

 State Commonwealth Per Capita Recurrent Expenditure for SA

Parents and School Communities

Parents and others in the school community are major contributors to their school's income.

On average 48% of an SA Independent school's income comes from fees, fundraising etc compared to just 11% from the SA State Government.

 

Authorised by Garry Le Duff, Chief Executive, AISSA, 301 Unley Road, Malvern 5061.