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Search for Jobs at WA Independent Schools here. Please read the information at the bottom of this page first.
A Snapshot of AISWA Membership
In 2024, the Association includes 165 schools over 230 individual campuses. These schools enrol over 98,000 students end employ over 14,000 school staff, accounting for 18.1% of Western Australian school enrolments. Primary students total approximately 41,000 and secondary almost 57,500.
Primary campuses (35) outnumber secondary campuses (35) but the majority of campuses educate both primary and secondary students (K-10 or K-12).
This diverse association of schools includes approx. 65% faith-based schools - Adventist, Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Christian (interdenominational), Free Reformed Church, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran and Uniting Church.
Other Member schools have been founded to focus on educational and community philosophies and goals - Aboriginal Independent Community Schools (AICS), Christian Aboriginal Parent-Directed (CAPS), Community Schools, Curriculum and Re-Engagement Education (CARE), International Baccalaureate programs, Montessori, Steiner and Vocational (VET focused).
Member schools include 46 schools that are in the regional/remote category - 14 being remote Aboriginal schools. 119 campuses are located in the Perth metropolitan area.
Specific pastoral needs of students determine the focus of others, for example the 22 schools that offer boarding, 130 that commence at Kindergarten level, 12 CARE schools, 20 Future Footprints program schools (see snapshot here) and the Special school at Telethon Speech and Hearing.
Some schools are members of more than one group, for example, some Aboriginal Community Schools are members of the Christian Schools Australia grouping. Not all member schools have a designated affiliation with faith, philosophy or grouping of schools.
The figures provided here are for all Independent schools that are AISWA members, including 7 CEWA member schools.
Image: Indicative snapshot of AISWA Membership composition (2023 census for 2024)
Independent Schools Australia - National Snapshot (WA)
The national representative body, Independent Schools Australia (ISA), shares this annual snapshot of the national Independent education sector, including an ISA WA Snapshot.
These snapshot figures are based on the 2023 national census and represent Independent Schools Australia data. This ISA WA Snapshot does not represent the full membership base of AISWA (which also includes Catholic school members). These figures differ slightly from the actual AISWA membership figures listed and illustrated in the section above.
A Closer Look at Member Diversity
As a sector, Independent Schools are extremely diverse in nature, providing for students of all abilities from all social and ethnic backgrounds. Together, they provide quality schooling for a wide range of communities - from some of Western Australia's most remote to a wide range of city communities of various faiths and philosophies about education. The large, well-resourced mainstream schools are the best recognised in our sector. However, the majority of our Member schools are small to medium sized and also offer an important range of educational and community services. Please see the list below.
- Aboriginal Independent Community Schools
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The 14 Aboriginal Independent Community Schools (AICS) schools are mostly located in remote areas of Western Australia. The success story of these schools is in their capacity to deliver mainstream education in an environment where learning is nurtured by cultural identity, traditional language in many instances, and a sense of belonging to place. Vastly improved literacy results for students in these schools over the past decade are an obvious measure of their achievements. Harder to measure but evident, community well-being and social functioning is also an important product of these schools.
For more information about AICS schools please go to the Search for a School directory and the AICS School Services page.
- Boarding Schools
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Over 22 AISWA member schools offer boarding facilities for their students, 17 within the metropolitan area of Perth and 5 situated in rural centres of the state.
Boarding schools vary greatly in their location, size, style and philosophy but all offer the wonderful advantages of a residential lifestyle on a secondary education campus in Western Australia.
Advantages
Advantages of attending an Independent Boarding School in Western Australia:
- Studies in a progressive state of Australia.
- Courses and qualifications that are recognised throughout the world.
- A range of flexible boarding options to suit families.
- A safe, secure and healthy lifestyle for students.
- Supervised study and homework routines to develop good study skills.
- Opportunities and support for culturally or linguistically diverse students.
- Access to a vibrant, appealing, multicultural city or regional hub.
- Proximity to Asian cities in the same time zone.
- A wonderful climate with diversity of landscape, scenery, flora and fauna.
City or Rural Boarding
Most Western Australian boarding schools are part of well established Independent Schools situated in metropolitan Perth in close proximity to the CBD. However, there are now several Independent Schools which offer boarding facilities in rural parts of the state, presenting unique opportunities to experience a healthy rural lifestyle.
Flexible Boarding Options
Most commonly, students can commence boarding when they are in late primary school. Most Independent Schools have student focused, purpose built accommodation (boarding houses) where students reside full-time during the school terms. Flexible boarding options to suit the family's home and working lifestyles are often available, depending on the individual school.
Fees
Fees vary depending on the school but, generally, boarding education in Western Australia compares favourably with most other cities of Australia and the developed world. Many Independent Schools offer scholarships or bursaries to assist with fees.
Programs of Study
Programs of study in Western Australian Independent Schools are designed to provide students with skills for future study, employment and life, in Australia or anywhere in the world. All Western Australian Independent Schools must meet stringent registration requirements and boarding schools offer the additional advantage of supervised study and homework routines as well as safe, supervised access to extracurricular programs undertaken as part of the school's program or outside of the school's boundary. Such activities could include specialised programs in the fields of sport, science or the arts.
Safety and Security
The modern philosophy of boarding schools in Western Australia emphasises security and safety for students in an atmosphere which is as close as possible to the support and comfort of home. Students learn independence and are given opportunities to develop leadership skills in a warm and caring environment. Trained staff are available to care for the boarders' health needs. Nursing or medical care is available, if required, and students can be escorted to appointments off school grounds.
- Studies in a progressive state of Australia.
- Boarding Schools - Future Footprint Program
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There are 18 Independent School boarding schools involved in the Future Footprints program which is designed to ensure positive engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the education system, to enhance their sense of belonging and self-worth within the education system, and provide students with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to succeed. Future Footprints is based on an Aboriginal Family Model of peer support and leadership. It essentially provides a supportive and motivating 'family' to which ATSI boarders belong while studying away from home. A broader aim of the program is to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and enhance their opportunities post-school to further education, training, and/or employment.
Read more about AISWA's Future Footprints program
- CARE Schools - Curriculum + Reengagement
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Curriculum and Reengagement in Education (CARE) Schools provide for the education of secondary aged students who have been unable to access or have significant difficulty in accessing mainstream education. Connecting with these students and making a positive difference to their lives is the prime service of the CARE educators. The majority of students in these 12 CARE School will study a modified curriculum so the schools have a very low student:adult ratio. There is a range of philosophical approaches to working with disengaged young people utilised.
For more information about CARE Schools please go to the Search for a School directory and the CARE School Services page.
Image: Port School (Fremantle) students work hard to support special needs school students in Malaysia. Wongutha CAPS (Esperance) students learn practical trades and have an impressive reputation in the local community through work experience.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools
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There are 6 International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Western Australia. They are AISWA Members. They offer different combinations of all IB programmes - the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme and Careers Programme. The IB enables students to direct their own learning pathway and develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive and make a lasting difference. It empowers teachers as the architects of learning excellence, working alongside engaged colleagues in a rewarding career supported by a strong global network. And it brings schools a strong reputation for successful outcomes that uplift the whole community.
The IB is 'transportable' internationally so these 'programmes' can be popular with families that relocate internationally because of work or family commitments.
- The International School of WA
- John Walliston Anglican Community School
- Presbyterian Ladies' College
- Scotch College
- The Montessori School Kingsley
- Treetops Montessori and IB School
Read more about the International Baccalaureate as a curriculum option.
Find the locations of the IB schools above at Search for a School.
- International Student Intake
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Many of our schools welcome International Schools, particularly our boarding schools. For example Perth College, Moerlina School, Wesley College, St Brigid's College and St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls. The school fees for non-residents will differ to those of resident citizens.
International School of Western Australia
'The International School of Western Australia has over 60 nationalities represented. The School community is home to both local and international families living in Perth. By exploring local, national and global issues within the classroom, students develop international-mindedness, strong values and a responsibility to be socially aware and take action in the communities they are part of. This richness and diversity of perspectives enable students to collaborate, exchange ideas and debate issues in a broader context. This leads to a person that is internationally-minded.
Learning at ISWA follows the Western Australian curriculum through the globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. This educational approach is internationally admired for its academic and personal rigour.
Japanese School of Perth
This unique school offers the Japanese school curriculum - content and social philosophy - and lessons conducted fully in Japanese language. The curriculum has been interrogated by SCSA for curriculum parallels and the Japanese School in Perth has been registered as a school in Western Australia. The curriculum is robust and has interesting similarities and differences to local curriculum. It is a Child Safe school.
The school is in City Beach and is popular among Japanese families that have relocated to Perth but do not wish to disrupt their children's learning in the Japanese way.
- Montessori Education Schools
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Ten registered Montessori schools are AISWA Members. Most of these are in the metropolitan area. Montessori classrooms provide a specially crafted learning environment where children are able to respond to their natural tendency to work. Children have an innate passion for learning, and the Montessori classroom encourages this by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained adult. Through their work, the children develop concentration and joyful self-discipline. Within a framework of order, the children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities.
The Montessori approach was developed through intense scientific observation of children from many ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds from birth to maturity. It is based upon a deep understanding of child development.
In Australia, Montessori education is available for children of all ages with programmes offered for children as young as 8 weeks old to age 18, through early childhood education and care services, preschools and kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools.
Read about the Montessori educational philosophy and Search for a School to find a member Montessori School.
- Special Educational Needs Schools
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All Independent Schools welcome and support children of all abilities.
All Member schools have access to the support of our highly qualified Inclusive Education consultants and targeted specialist professional learning. This includes provision for the special education needs 'gifted and talented' students as well as students will challenges in the physical, cognitive or affective domains.
The Telethon Speech and Hearing school
'Telethon Speech & Hearing is committed to ensuring that all students are supported to achieve their potential in a positive, respectful and safe learning environment that meets them at their own entry point by catering for the child and family who supports them, and in the ability to deliver a diverse and unique team-based approach to education. The School has two very unique programs:
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The Outpost School Support Program for school-aged children, Kindergarten to Year 12, with a hearing loss, has been in place since 1979, and
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The Talkabout Program supports children aged from 18 months to 6 years who are experiencing a speech and language delay or disorder.
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- Steiner Education Schools
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All 7 Steiner Schools in Western Australia are AISWA Members.
'A Steiner education fosters the human spirit in children and young adults, allowing them to flourish in a holistic learning environment that is oriented towards moral growth, social consciousness and citizenship. Steiner schools seek to nurture each individual and connect them to the reverence and awe of the natural environment, one another, and the world around them. Schools are grounded in working artistically, spiritually, practically and intellectually. As well as being integrated, the curriculum is broadly based, interdisciplinary and culturally rich. The philosophy cherishes the right of children to childhood. The Australian Steiner Curriculum which is recognised by ACARA.
Steiner education is recognised as a highly valued approach to develop flexible and agile thinking and an ability to collaborate and thrive in a 21st Century world. Gonski 2.0 highlighted the need for a contemporary education to emphasise critical and creative thinking, social skills and problem solving – delivering a deep sense of purpose, connectivity and agency to enact change. These are the hallmarks of a Steiner education.'
Read about Steiner education and Search for a School to find Steiner schools in the AISWA family.
- Vocational Education and Training
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Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered at secondary schools provides an opportunity for secondary students to achieve a nationally recognised VET qualification whilst contributing towards the Western Australia Certificate of Education (WACE). AISWA provides support to Independent schools with the delivery of their VET programs and assists them in selecting appropriate VET qualifications for their students. AISWA help Independent schools to form sustainable relationships with Registered Training Organisations and industry.
AISWA is not an RTO. Fairbridge School (Pinjarra, Kalgoorlie campuses) is the only Member school that is a Registered Training Organisation.
Independent Schools with a wide range of VET studies are listed below:
(TBA)
Being Employed at an Independent School
AISWA is NOT an employment agency for Member schools. Schools must be contacted about jobs they list.
Independent Schools in Western Australia employ nearly 14,000 individuals. The majority of staff are educators - teachers and school leaders - and they are supported by a huge range of non-teaching staff that manage other aspects of school function such as in-class assistance, business and administration, grounds, boarders' needs, digital systems, maintenance and catering.
To work in Western Australia, all teachers must be registered with the Western Australian Teacher Registration Board (TRB).
At the end of July each year, the association runs a free three-hour Teaching in an Independent School seminar which provides information for individuals interested in working within the Independent Schools sector. Details of the seminar and other professional learning opportunities offered by AISWA can be found via AISWA's Professional Learning calendar.
Search for Jobs at Member Schools
Search for Jobs at AISWA
Search for an EoI form for Jobs at Aboriginal Independent Community Schools
Other Advertised Independent School Positions
SEEK provides a dedicated facility to search all vacancies in Independent Schools in Western Australia
Teachers.on.net is proud to be a provider of online advertising for the member schools of AISWA.
Overseas and interstate applicants are advised that most appointments are made only after a personal interview with the school and that employment is restricted to those with the required immigration status. Inquiries about the latter should be directed to the nearest Australian consulate or embassy.
Image: Sports Day at the Australian Islamic School, Dianella.