More than half of secondary school students living in Annerley are enrolled in state schools, reflecting a growing preference for public education in the inner-south Brisbane suburb.
Public Schooling Gains Momentum
Annerley has recorded a significant inclination towards government high school education, with 53.2 per cent of secondary students in the suburb attending state schools. This trend aligns with a broader pattern seen across parts of Brisbane’s southside, where access to high-performing public schools is influencing family decisions on where to live and educate their children.
Brisbane South State Secondary College Relieves Pressure
The nearby Brisbane South State Secondary College (BSSSC) in Dutton Park was opened in 2021 to alleviate enrolment pressures on Brisbane State High School (BSHS), which continues to exceed its capacity. In 2024, BSSSC enrolled 968 students, with a capacity for 1524, and 62 per cent of those students lived outside its catchment area.
BSHS, located within reach of Annerley, had 3521 students enrolled last year—well over its designated capacity of 3000. Nearly half of its student population resided outside the catchment zone, gaining admission through academic, sporting or cultural merit programs.
State Schools Outpace Private in Several Suburbs
Annerley’s trend is echoed in suburbs such as Mansfield and Wishart, where over 79 per cent of students attend government high schools. Mansfield State High, for example, had an enrolment of 3651 students last year, with 29 per cent coming from outside its designated zone. The school is recognised for its specialised programs, including French immersion.
In contrast, some of Brisbane’s wealthier suburbs, like Ascot and East Brisbane, lean heavily towards independent schooling, with more than 40 per cent of students in these areas attending private schools.
Community Response and Catchment Pressures
The appeal of top-performing state schools, particularly BSHS, has led to rising housing demand in their catchment areas.
In West End, 83.8 per cent of students opt for state education, and the BSHS catchment has become a key real estate drawcard. In response, the school has implemented strict enrolment policies, including proof of residency and statutory declarations, to address enrolment fraud.
While Annerley is not within the BSHS catchment, its proximity to schools like BSSSC has contributed to the area’s steady public school enrolment rate.
Future Planning and Infrastructure Considerations
To accommodate rising student numbers in Brisbane’s inner south, the Queensland schools planning reference committee has flagged the potential need for a new primary school in the South Brisbane, West End and Highgate Hill area within the next decade. This follows a $34 million expansion of West End State School in 2022, increasing its capacity to 1730 students.
Community groups have raised concerns about the pressure on schools, particularly as council-led high-density developments progress across the Kurilpa peninsula.
Published 26-Mar-2025
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