Queensland special assistance school enrolments increase sevenfold since 2016

Families in Queensland are increasingly choosing independent special assistance schools over mainstream education to provide flexible learning for students with diverse needs.

Research commissioned by Independent Schools Queensland and conducted by McCrindle shows that more than 11,000 students attended these schools in 2025. This growth follows a trend where the number of such schools rose from 14 in 2016 to 31 in 2025.

Parents report that these schools provide a sense of belonging and safety for children who faced bullying or struggled with the standardized models of mainstream education. For some students, such as a teenager with Tourette syndrome, the shift to smaller classes and individual attention helped them regain confidence and achieve academic success. Parents of former students noted that moving to these schools improved their children's attendance and reduced family pressure.

School operators, including those at Kairos Community College, report extensive waiting lists due to high demand. While these schools mostly rely on government funding and do not charge tuition fees, administrators say continued funding is essential to keep pace with the growing number of students. Researchers estimate that helping these students complete year 12 could generate 452 million dollars in lifetime fiscal benefits through increased tax revenue and lower government spending.