Discover which Australian state offers the best schools in 2025. Compare NAPLAN results, HSC and VCE rankings, ATAR outcomes, and overall education quality to make the right choice for your family.

Introduction

For families moving to Australia, few decisions matter more than choosing the right school system. In 2025, new NAPLAN results show clear leaders emerging among the states and territories. New South Wales and Victoria continue to dominate national rankings, while the Australian Capital Territory consistently punches above its weight. This guide compares Australian state school rankings 2025 using the latest NAPLAN scores, HSC and VCE performance, ATAR results, and real school outcomes. Whether you’re looking for top primary or secondary schools, you’ll discover which locations truly deliver the best education in Australia right now.

How Australia Measures and Ranks School Performance in 2025

Parents need reliable data to compare states fairly. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) provides the most trusted sources through the My School website and annual NAPLAN reports.

Key indicators include average NAPLAN scores across reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy for Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. Secondary success is measured by Year 12 results: HSC rankings in NSW, VCE rankings in Victoria, and final ATAR outcomes nationwide. Student progress, attendance rates, and retention from Year 7 to 12 also matter.

In 2025, national NAPLAN participation hit 93.8%, the highest since 2017, giving the clearest picture in years. Victoria recorded the largest numeracy gains, while NSW maintained the highest concentration of top-performing schools across both primary and secondary levels.

Primary Education: Where Australia’s Youngest Students Excel

Strong early years set children up for life. Australian primary school rankings 2025 highlight two clear standouts.

New South Wales dominates the top 20 public primary schools. Schools like Matthew Pearce Public in Baulkham Hills, Carlingford West Public, and Beecroft Public regularly achieve average NAPLAN scores above 540 — well into the top bands. Many of these schools serve diverse communities yet deliver exceptional growth.

Victoria follows closely and shows the fastest improvement. Forty-one Victorian primary schools were recognised by ACARA in 2025 as high-achieving despite serving disadvantaged or high-ESL populations. Albanvale Primary and Box Hill North Primary are standout examples.

The ACT delivers consistently high averages with smaller class sizes, while Queensland and Western Australia produce strong regional performers such as Brisbane’s Rainworth State School and Perth’s Nedlands Primary.

Secondary Education: The Battle for Top ATARs and University Places

Year 12 results reveal the biggest differences between states.

New South Wales remains the undisputed leader in HSC rankings NSW 2025. North Sydney Boys High claimed first place with 64.9% of exams in Band 6, followed closely by James Ruse Agricultural High and Sydney Grammar School. Baulkham Hills, Hornsby Girls, and North Sydney Girls all recorded median ATARs above 95.

Victoria fights back strongly through VCE rankings Victoria 2025. Ballarat Clarendon College topped the state with a median study score of 37 and 45% of scores at 40 or above. Mac.Robertson Girls’ High, Melbourne High, and Haileybury also delivered median ATARs in the mid-90s.

Other states shine in pockets. Brisbane Girls Grammar (Queensland) and Shenton College (Western Australia) both achieved median ATARs above 96, while Radford College leads the ACT year after year.

When comparing top secondary schools Australia 2025, NSW and Victoria together claim over 70% of the national top 50 schools by percentage of high ATARs.

State-by-State Education Comparison 2025

New South Wales offers the highest concentration of elite selective and high-performing public schools, especially around Sydney. Its HSC system rewards depth in individual subjects, producing the largest number of 99.95 ATARs each year.

Victoria excels in balanced, equitable improvement. The state’s explicit teaching reforms have lifted NAPLAN results faster than anywhere else, and its top VCE schools now rival NSW selectives for university offers.

The Australian Capital Territory provides small class sizes, high funding per student, and consistent performance across nearly all schools — ideal for families who value stability over chasing the very top rank.

Queensland and Western Australia deliver excellent options in capital cities and strong regional networks, though they have fewer fully selective public high schools.

South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory continue to improve but generally lag behind the larger states in average NAPLAN scores and Year 12 attainment rates.

Which Australian State Has the Best Schools in 2025?

No single state is “best” for every family, but the data points to clear winners depending on your priorities.

If you want the highest chance of accessing a school that regularly produces 95+ ATARs and ranks in the national top 20, choose New South Wales — especially Sydney’s north shore, inner west, or Hills District.

If you value rapid improvement, strong teaching methods, and excellent public options outside the very top tier, Victoria — particularly Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and regional centres like Ballarat — stands out.

If you prefer smaller classes and consistent quality without extreme competition, the ACT often feels like the sweet spot.

Conclusion

In 2025, New South Wales narrowly holds the crown for the highest-performing school system overall, driven by its unmatched cluster of elite selective and private schools. Victoria is closing the gap fast and offers the strongest public system for broad improvement. Whichever state you choose, use the My School website to compare individual schools against similar peers — the real secret to finding the perfect fit for your child.