Investigating Trends in School Socioeconomic Composition According to School Sector and Geographical Location

Abstract

This study investigated differences in socioeconomic composition (SEC) of schools in Australia by school sector and location. Using state-wide data from New South Wales (NSW), we examined patterns of change in the SEC of government, Independent and Catholic schools in Major City, Inner Regional, Outer Regional and Remote/Very Remote locations from 2008 to 2025. Results showed increasing proportions of students attending Independent schools and decreasing proportions attending government schools. Differences in school SEC between different geographical locations and between school sectors within locations were also evident. Trend analyses showed the average SEC of government schools trending steadily downwards in all locations. The SEC of Catholic schools remained steady, or slightly increased, depending on location, while that for Independent schools slightly declined from a high starting point, particularly in locations where these schools are increasingly accessible. These results shed new light on the heterogeneity of school SEC and highlight changing patterns of socioeconomic segregation between schools and sectors in Australia.

Keywords

segregation socioeconomic composition location school sector Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage

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