When it comes to schooling in Brisbane, it helps if you know up front what catchemnt you are in. I know when I chose my son’s school, I needed to not only work out what was the best school for him, I needed to know what catchment it was in – like literally the streets I could live in if he wanted to go to that school. And then we had to move to live there!
That’s how almost all schools operate in Brisbane now. I needed to know what area we needed to live in. Just in case you didn’t know, the ‘school catchment areas’ refer to the geographical location, determined by specific boundaries, where the majority of enrolled state school students must live to attend that school.
Every Queensland student, from Prep to Year 12, will find that they are automatically within a specific Brisbane school catchment zone for a particular state school and state high school. Here’s what you need to know about finding your state primary or state secondary school catchment Brisbane area.
Why do we have Brisbane school catchment areas?
Most cities and towns have specific areas that kids from that area can attend school. And whilst that wasn’t a hard and fast rule when I went to school (ages ago – don’t ask! ;-)), it is now!
Why is this the case? It’s mostly about government funding! Brisbane state primary and Brisbane state high school catchment areas are in place so each child is guaranteed a place at a local state school. State primary schools and state high schools will each have their own individual catchment areas that may overlap.
School catchment areas in Brisbane can also ensure that equitable amounts of government funding are sent to the right places. That ensures that the area will be adequately serviced by school buses and that appropriate safety measures, like school crossings and guards, are correctly distributed. Brisbane high school catchment areas need to have their resources matched to their student populations needs.
As your child will automatically be enrolled in your local state school all you will need to do to confirm your interest is to fill out an application form and provide proof of residency. This might mean you show a rates notice, a tenancy agreement or bills that demonstrate you are the property occupier within the zone boundaries. You may own your property or you may rent in that Brisbane state school catchment zone.
Catchments and zones can (and do!) change
When new schools open, catchments are adjusted to form a new equidistant boundary with the old school. If your child is already enrolled at a school before the boundary changes you do not have to switch schools unless you choose to. Younger siblings can also generally enrol at the same school as their older siblings provided they remain living within the school’s former catchment.
Because catchments can change, it is a good idea to check yours periodically (particularly if you are in an area that has new schools being built) to see if you are affected. Brisbane primary school catchments as well as secondary school catchments in Brisbane are currently being affected by the building of new schools! Visit the ‘Building Future Schools,’ This website shows new schools being built across Brisbane so you can check to see if you are affected by the upcoming changes.
New Brisbane state schools opened 2020
- Fortitude Valley State Secondary School – opened to Year 7 students
- Yarrabilba State Secondary College – opened to Years 7 & 8
- Foxwell State Secondary College, Coomera – opened to Year 7 students
- Mango Hill State Secondary College – opened to Years 7 & 8
- Ripley Valley State School – opened for prep to Year 6
- Ripley Valley State Secondary School – opened to Years 7 & 8
New Brisbane state schools opened in 2021
- Brisbane South State Secondary College, Dutton Park – opened to Year 7 students
New Brisbane state schools opened in 2024
- Bellbird Park State School – opening (soon) for Prep – Year 6
- Scenic Shores State School – opened in Term 1 for Prep – Year 6
Opening in 2025
- Collingwood Park State High School – opening Years 7 & 8
- A new primary school for Park Ridge (near Logan Reserve) – opening for Prep – Year 6
What if I don’t like my Brisbane state high school catchment area?
It is possible to enrol your child at a state school outside of your designated school catchment area. However, you will be put on a wait list to ensure that local children get places first. If this is your situation, we recommend you get your application in sooner rather than later so you are towards the top of the waiting list.
You might secure enrolment if:
- You apply early
- All students who live in that catchment area are catered for
- All classes at the school have an even spread of students
- Non-catchment students won’t negatively impact the educational outcomes of the catchment students
How to find your school catchment area
Take a look at the Department of Education and Training’s interactive Brisbane school catchment map in our link below. Use it to scroll over school catchment zones until you find your street. Primary and secondary school catchments are different and are shown in different colours. Be aware that primary school catchments are much smaller than high school ones.
Enter your address and find out the exact state primary and state high school that your housing is zoned into here.
Helpful links related to choosing a school
- School open days across Brisbane
- How to get a scholarship to a private school in Brisbane
- Secondary school ranking (with links to primary school ranking)
- How to apply to change schools
- How to choose the right school for your child (literally what questions to ask!)
This article was featured in Issue 38 of our printed magazine, published February 2020.
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