- Almost 498,700 students begin Term 1 in public and non-government schools
- Staff at 834 public schools welcome 326,600 students from kindergarten to year 12 for their first day of the 2025 academic year
- Two new public schools open their doors for the first time
Half a million students and more than 62,000 teachers will return to classrooms across Western Australia this week, including at the State’s two newest public schools in Eglinton and Brabham.
A record number of 498,700 students from kindergarten to year 12 are set to start the new school year at public, Catholic and independent schools.
This includes 326,600 students at 834 public schools – among them approximately 23,220 kindergarten students who will start school for the first time.
There are 182,530 public school students enrolled in pre-primary to year 6 and 120,850 secondary school students.
Additionally, more than 303 graduates and 60 overseas teachers will take up their first teaching jobs in public schools across WA, bringing the total number of overseas teachers recruited through the international recruitment program to 242 since it began in January 2023.
The non-government sector will open its doors to 172,100 students comprising 11,510 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, 72,590 primary and 88,000 secondary school students.
Thousands of students across the State will benefit from a range of brand new school facilities opening today, two of which will offer new specialised learning programs for students with autism spectrum disorder at Eden Hill Primary School and at Kiara College.
Ongoing recruitment over the holiday period has ensured schools are ready for day one.
There are currently 62,622 registered teachers in WA, representing a 3.69 per cent increase from last year.
Construction will begin on two new primary schools in Wellard and Wungong, scheduled to open for the first day of the 2026 school year.
As stated by Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
“Today we are opening brand new schools to meet the needs of our growing communities and launching impressive new education facilities to ensure students at existing schools have access to the best quality learning environment.
“We have hundreds of new teachers in our classrooms and the fresh new faces of more than 30,000kindergarten students – across the public and private sectors – who are starting school for the very first time.
“As we begin the school year, my focus remains on ensuring every child is supported and challenged to reach their full potential.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the high-quality teachers we have in our schools and the incredible support networks that help to make this happen.
“I wish all students, their teachers and their families all the very best for the school year ahead.”
