The Queensland Schooling System

The Queensland schooling system, like all other states of Australia provides 2 general options for students - government or non-government schools. Government-run schools are free for all students while non-government schools accept students on a fee basis which varies from school to school. Non-government schools in Qld include Catholic schools, Anglican schools and a wide range of other religious affiliated schools along with independent schools of various types. All non-government schools are generally referred to as 'private schools' throughout Queensland. The largest concentration of private schools in Queensland is in the greater Brisbane area extending to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions.

Primary and Secondary

Schooling in Queensland is generally broken into two stages - Primary School and Secondary School although many schools offer both stages at the same campus. Primary school is the first compulsory stage of schooling for Queensland students although many parents elect to begin their child's education with one or two years of non-compulsory schooling prior to the student's first year of primary school. Options include one full time year of Preparatory education and/or a year of Kindergarten prior to Prep.

Primary schools offer prep followed by Year 1 through to Year 7.

Boarding

There are 49 schools in Queensland listed on this site that offer boarding. All of these offer boarding at Secondary level and many also provide boarding for Primary students.

School hours

Most Queensland schools begin the day at 9am and finish at 3pm although many schools have slight variations on these times.

School Uniforms

Virtually every private school in Queensland requires the students to wear a uniform. Each school uniform is unique to that school and private schools tend to regulate the wearing of the school uniform more strictly than their government counterparts. School uniforms at non-government schools may include a tie and blazer for boys and can also include such items as a school bag and school hat.

Queensland School Years

Non-compulsory year - Prep
Primary school - Years 1 through 7
Secondary School - Years 8 through 12

Queensland Private School Statistics

The following school statistics are based on information available on this website:

Religious Affiliation...

Catholic schools in Qld - 274

Christian schools in Qld (including Christian Outreach Centre affiliated schools) - 42

Lutheran Schools in Qld - 29

Anglican schools in Qld - 28

Non-denominational private schools in Qld - 24

Uniting Church and/or Presbyterian schools in Qld - 10

Inter-denominational schools in Qld - 6

Steiner schools in Qld - 5

Baptist schools in Qld - 5

Boarding Schools...

There are 49 schools in Queensland offering boarding.

Main school gender catered for...

Private Boys schools - 24

Private Girls schools - 32

Private Co-educational schools - 416

CRICOS schools (accepting international students)...

There are 136 CRICOS registered schools in Qld.

Private School Statistics by Region

Greater Brisbane region including Ipswich and Redcliffe areas - 194 schools

Gold Coast region - 37 schools plus 3 northern Tweed Heads schools

Toowoomba region including South Western Qld towns - 54 schools

Sunshine Coast and Nambour region - 36 schools

Rockhampton and Capricorn region - 36 schools

Mackay to Townsville and Western Qld - 58 schools

Cairns and Far North Qld region - 37 schools