Private Schools in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: August 2023
ANZSIC P8025Revenue
$32.3bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
179k
Businesses
2,995
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Private Schools in Australia industry analysis
Strong demand for private education and rising tuition fees have augmented industry revenue over the past five years. Australians value education, and many people believe that private schools deliver higher quality services than public schools. Accordingly, private school enrolments have surged in recent years.Rising discretionary incomes across the nation in the four years through 2021 have compelled school administrators to consistently hike school fees, and the influx of new enrolments has continued. Profitability and revenue have both benefited as a result. Indeed, despite volatile consumer sentiment in recent years and declining discretionary incomes over the two years through 2022-23, revenue and profitability have continued to rise, albeit more slowly in the current year.Increased government funding has also helped to fill private schools' coffers, and new schools have opened across the nation in the past five years. Overall, revenue has grown by an average 1.7% each year in that time, despite revenue only rising by 0.3% in the current year, to $32.3 billion.New foreign student enrolments were sundered in the first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, overall enrolments continued to rise. Strong growth in foreign student enrolments prior to the pandemic and a resurgence of latent demand from foreign students in 2022-23 have mitigated revenue lost due to border closures. Private schools have increasingly invested in extracurricular programs, grounds and facilities to improve their competitive advantage. Growing demand has also increased the number of special schools over the past five years.Going forward, private schools are on track to enjoy continued revenue growth. Public funding for schools and the population of school aged children are both set to climb. Similarly, discretionary incomes and consumer sentiment will improve, with the latter becoming positive. These conditions will enable the Private Schools industry to flourish over the coming years. Yet, the national unemployment rate is also set to rise, mitigating rising demand. Overall, private schools' revenue will rise by an average 2.0% each year for the next five years, reaching $35.7 billion in 2027-28.
Trends and Insights
- Rising enrolments have driven revenue ever higher. Demand has strengthened along with growth in the population and discretionary incomes.
- Private school enrolments in the middle years of high school have grown. Meanwhile, the early and matriculating years have lost ground.
- Private schools are on the rise, as strong demand supports new schools opening. Growth in the number of private schools is strongest in Tasmania.
- Public schools are the key source of external competition. Public schooling is far more affordable than private schools. When public school reputations improve, some parents shift their children to the public system.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $32.3bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
A good reputation serves the industry well
- Many consumers believe that private schools provide better education than public schools. Private school enrolments have grown and fees have risen in recent years, supporting revenue growth.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Government funding will shift to favour public schools
- Under the Quality Schools package, schools will receive a base amount of funding per student and additional loading, depending on the school's size and location. Schools will receive more for students with disabilities, low English language proficiency and socio-educational disadvantage.
Biggest companies in the Private Schools in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 |
|---|---|---|
All Hallows’ School (Brisbane) | N/A | |
The King’s School | N/A |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Catholic primary school education, Catholic secondary school education and Independent primary school education. Catholic primary school education is the largest segment of the Private Schools in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Catholic primary schools suffer from declining religiosity
- Catholic schools in this segment provide education from prep to year 6 inclusive, with the exception of South Australia, which includes year 7 in primary schooling. Catholic primary schools typically belong to a parish.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Government Schools in Australia
Complementors
- Preschool Education in Australia
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Australia
- Art and Non-Vocational Education in Australia
International industries
- Private Schools in the US
- School Education in New Zealand
- Primary Education in the UK
- General Secondary Education in the UK
- Secondary Education in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry includes private schools that provide primary education, secondary education, combined primary and secondary education, and special education. State and territory governments do not administer these schools, although private schools must adhere to educational policies set by relevant jurisdictions. In most instances, the industry provides education that is delivered to students for a compulsory fee. Private schools are also referred to as non-government schools.
What's included in this industry?
Catholic primary school educationCatholic secondary school educationIndependent primary school educationIndependent secondary school educationSpecial school educationCompanies
All Hallows’ School (Brisbane)The King’s SchoolPurchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS (SES)NAPLANATARIndustry Code
ANZSIC 80 - Private Schools in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Rising enrolments have driven revenue ever higher. Demand has strengthened along with growth in the population and discretionary incomes.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Private school enrolments in the middle years of high school have grown. Meanwhile, the early and matriculating years have lost ground.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Private schools are on the rise, as strong demand supports new schools opening. Growth in the number of private schools is strongest in Tasmania.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Public schools are the key source of external competition. Public schooling is far more affordable than private schools. When public school reputations improve, some parents ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
There are no major players in this industry.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of All Hallows’ School (Brisbane)'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of The King’s School's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for All Hallows’ School (Brisbane), and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for The King’s School, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Rising enrolment and public funding levels are set to stimulate industry revenue in the current year. Growing enrolments and government funding have supported private schools...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Wage costs have climbed higher in recent years. Wages remain the largest expense by far in this labour-intensive industry.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Private Schools industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Private Schools industry in Australia is $32.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Private Schools in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 2,995 businesses in the Private Schools industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Private Schools industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Private Schools industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Private Schools industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Private Schools industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Private Schools market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Private Schools market in Australia are All Hallows’ School (Brisbane) and The King’s School
What does the Private Schools in Australia include?
Catholic primary school education and Catholic secondary school education are part of the Private Schools industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Private Schools in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is All Hallows’ School (Brisbane).
How competitive is the Private Schools industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Private Schools industry in Australia.
