Victoria has had the largest increase in the number of government schools opened in the past five years, ahead of any Australian state or jurisdiction, new data shows.
Minister for Education, Natalie Hutchins said the data, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today, reflects the state’s school building boom, with the Victorian Government surging ahead of schedule to open 100 new schools by 2026.
“We’re investing in delivering new schools and upgraded classrooms right across our state to ensure students and teachers have the facilities they deserve,” the Minister said.
“We are continuing to implement reforms in the education system to support students and teachers including the Tutor Learning Initiative, mental health reforms and a campaign to recruit more teachers.”
“Our education construction boom is the biggest of its kind nationally and cements our reputation as the Education State.”
The 2022 Schools Australia publication from the ABS shows that Victoria had the largest increase in new schools in the nation and represented nearly half of all schools opened in Australia.
The figures do not include a further increase of 12 schools in Victoria during 2023. Ms Hutchins said most of the new schools have opened in Melbourne’s growth corridors.
The State has also experienced growth in the number of teaching staff with 10.9% more staff than five years ago, representing a national growth rate second only to the ACT.
Victoria has the second-best student to teacher ratios in the country, behind only the Northern Territory, the Minister said.
Victoria’s student to teacher ratios have improved significantly from 14.1 in 2015 to 12.7 in 2022.
School participation rates have also grown over the five-year period, with participation rates for 15-19 year olds exceeding the national average in Victoria. The state’s continuation rate is second only to Tasmania.
Minister Hutchins said enrolments in government schools in Victoria have remained above the national average every year for five years, growing by 0.1% in 2022.
