February 23, 2026 — Despite significant fee increases at private and Catholic schools across Victoria, enrollment numbers for Year 7 students have reached unprecedented levels. Many high-fee institutions, including Caulfield Grammar and Haileybury, have seen a rise in student intake over the past five years. However, it is the low- and mid-fee schools that are experiencing the most substantial growth.
According to an analysis by The Age, based on data from the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (ACARA), about two-thirds of the 222 Victorian private and Catholic high schools have recorded increased Year 7 enrollments over the past five years. This trend coincides with a slight national rise in the proportion of students attending non-government schools. In Victoria, secondary students in non-government schools now comprise approximately 43% of all enrollments, a modest increase since 2020.
Growth in Enrollment Amid Fee Increases
One of the standout schools in terms of enrollment growth is St Francis Catholic College in Melton. Principal Marlene Jorgensen attributes this surge to the influx of families moving into the area. The demand was so significant that the school opened a second campus in Cobblebank in 2023.
“So it’s about the location and about the demographics, but we also have an excellent product,” Jorgensen explained. “The families that come to our school align well with our values of equity and access and seeing everyone as individuals.”
St Francis aims to balance quality education with affordability, maintaining fees at $5,269 for Year 7 students while planning to accommodate an additional 1,000 students by the decade’s end.
Independent Schools See Sustained Growth
In Melbourne’s growth suburbs, several non-government schools have seen enrollment surges, including Hume Anglican Grammar in Mickleham and Marymede Catholic College in South Morang. Meanwhile, Mentone Grammar, an independent school, has also recorded a steady rise in enrollments, growing from 1,375 students a decade ago to 2,008 in 2025.
“Over the last 10 years we’ve grown from what you would probably call a mid-sized school to a generally large school,” said Mentone Grammar principal Andy Müller.
Despite a 9.5% increase in fees since 2024, Müller believes the school remains affordable compared to others in the region. “We’re 20% below some of the higher typical leafy eastern suburbs schools,” he noted.
Public Schools Respond to Enrollment Trends
While private schools have seen significant growth, government schools have also experienced changes. Although 180 of the 312 government schools recorded fewer Year 7 enrollments in 2025 than in 2020, the total number of Year 7 students in government schools has increased, driven by growth in certain areas.
In the western metropolitan area, schools like Western Heights Secondary College in Geelong and Staughton College in Melton have seen substantial increases in Year 7 students.
A Victorian government spokesperson highlighted, “Victorian public schools are the best in the country, with nation-leading academic results, wellbeing support for students, and extracurricular activities.”
The spokesperson also emphasized the government’s commitment to education, citing the opening of 100 new schools and over 2,300 school upgrades across Victoria.
As the education landscape in Victoria continues to evolve, both private and public institutions are adapting to meet the needs of their communities. The ongoing shifts in enrollment patterns reflect broader demographic changes and the diverse educational preferences of families across the state.
