Victoria has had the largest increase in the number of government schools that have opened over the past five years, according to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins said the data, released on February 15, reflects the state’s school building boom, with the state government ahead of schedule to open 100 new schools by 2026.
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. Most of the new schools have opened in Melbourne’s growth corridors.
“We’re investing in delivering new schools and upgraded classrooms right across our state to ensure students and teachers have the facilities they deserve,” Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins 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.”
Victoria has also experienced growth in the number of teaching staff with 10.9 per cent 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. Victoria’s student to teacher ratios have improved 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.
