Brisbane Schools Guide: Public, Catholic, Independent Options Explained

Schools in Brisbane

Brisbane's school system has expanded significantly to keep pace with the city's rapid population growth. Queensland's school structure runs Prep to Year 12 in single schools (unlike NSW and Victoria's separated high school/college systems), which simplifies school choice for many families.

Government Schools

Queensland government schools are run by the Department of Education. Brisbane has two dedicated selective senior schools: Brisbane State High School (South Brisbane, Years 8-12) and Indooroopilly State High School. Entry to both requires an application and selection based on academic criteria. Other well-regarded government high schools include Kelvin Grove State College (Kelvin Grove), Ferny Grove State High School, and Mansfield State High School.

Queensland introduced a partial selective entry pathway across multiple schools from 2021; check the Department's website for current selective program offerings.

Catholic Schools

Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) operates a large network across the archdiocese. Well-known schools include St Laurence's College (South Brisbane, boys, Years 7-12), Stuartholme School (Toowong, girls), Padua College (Kedron, boys), Stuartholme, and Loreto College (Coorparoo, girls). Many Catholic schools in Brisbane accept both Catholic and non-Catholic students.

Independent Schools

Brisbane's independent schools include Grammar schools (Brisbane Grammar, Brisbane Girls Grammar, Somerville House) and Anglican/Presbyterian schools (Anglican Church Grammar, CHURCHIE, St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School). Fees range from $15,000 to $35,000+. Waiting lists at grammar schools are long.

Finding and Enrolling

Government school enrolments are through the Queensland Department of Education (qed.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood). Catholic school enrolments go through BCE (bne.catholic.edu.au). Independent schools have their own admissions offices and open day programs.

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