Schools and students: 2018 statistical bulletin (PDF, 1.5MB)

The annual schools and students statistical bulletin

Every year, CESE publishes a snapshot of data collected across NSW government schools. The 2018 statistical bulletin presents tables and charts on school characteristics, student enrolments, attendance rates and more.

Key statistics from 2018

• In August 2018, there were 2,207 government schools and 100 preschools.

• The average class size for Kindergarten to Year 6 was 24.1 students.

• Total enrolments reached 798,022.2 full-time equivalent students, continuing the rising trend which began in 2008.

• 2,008 students were studying part-time, equivalent to 1,253.2 full-time students.

• 24,351 students were enrolled in support classes or schools for specific purposes.

• 2,769.3 students were enrolled in distance education.

• 7.8% of students identified as Aboriginal, totaling 61,932.5 students.

• 35.1% of students (282,532 students) were from a language background other than English.

• 79,201 primary students studied a language other than English, with Chinese (Mandarin) the most popular language.

• Japanese was the most popular language studied by students in Years 7 to 9, at 24,792 students of the 63,582 students studying a language other than English.

• The Year 7 to 12 apparent retention rate was 76.3% in 2018, down from the previous year's peak of 77.4%.

• 38,100 students were awarded an HSC in 2018, including 1,188 Aboriginal students.

• The average attendance rate was 90.9% in 2018.

For more statistics

Visit the NSW Education Data Hub or read our other statistical publications.