If you have school-aged kids, finding the best schools is likely high on your list. But with around 10,000 schools across Australia, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. When comparing options, choosing a family-friendly suburb can be just as important as the school itself—proximity, community, and after-school support all play a role.
To make it all feel a little easier for you we’ve broken down the top primary schools in Australia - and sorted them by every state /major city. Whether you’re comparing public or private options, this guide will help you make informed choices.
To start off let’s take a look at how schools across the country rank at a national level.
With Australia’s top-tier education system offering thousands of schools nationwide, families have no shortage of quality choices—especially among these leading performers.
Each of the schools listed below earned their spot at the top thanks to consistently strong results in core subjects like English and maths.
What’s interesting is that most of them are non-government schools and many of the top-performing primary schools are clustered in New South Wales and Victoria.
| School | Location | Sector |
| Sydney Grammar School | Darlinghurst | Non-government |
| Camberwell Grammar School | Canterbury, VIC | Non-government |
| Haileybury College | Victoria | Non-government |
| St Aloysius’ College | Milsons Point, NSW | Non-government |
| Ballarat Clarendon College | Ballarat, VIC | Non-government |
| St Andrews School | Walkerville, SA | Non-government |
| Abbotsleigh | Wahroonga, NSW | Non-government |
| Knox Grammar | Wahroonga, NSW | Non-government |
| Northcross Christian School | Ryde, NSW | Non-government |
| Presbyterian Ladies College | Burwood, VIC | Non-government |
Sydney Grammar School is one of those schools everyone knows about - and for good reason. Located in Darlinghurst, it has a strong reputation for academic excellence, particularly in English and maths. With a traditional approach to education, combined with plenty of opportunities for students to get involved outside the classroom, it’s a popular choice for families looking for a high standard of education in Sydney.
Victoria is home to a strong mix of prestigious independent schools and standout public options. While many of the top performers are non-government schools scattered across Melbourne’s leafy suburbs, there are also high-achieving government schools like Serpell Primary making waves.
Many of these are located in some of the best family suburbs in Melbourne, where quality education goes hand-in-hand with lifestyle appeal. You can explore designated school zones using Victoria’s Find My School tool.
| School | Location | Sector |
| Camberwell Grammar School | Canterbury | Non-government |
| Camberwell Girls Grammar School | Canterbury | Non-government |
| Haileybury College | Melbourne (multiple campuses) | Non-government |
| Ballarat Clarendon College | Ballarat | Non-government |
| Presbyterian Ladies College | Burwood | Non-government |
| Serpell Primary School | Templestowe | Government |
| Trinity Grammar School | Kew | Non-government |
| Scotch College | Hawthorn | Non-government |
| Korowa Anglican Girls’ School | Glen Iris | Non-government |
| Fitzroy Community School | Fitzroy North | Non-government |
Camberwell Grammar School is a bit of a gem in Melbourne’s school scene. Located in Canterbury, it’s got a reputation for not just focusing on academics but also offering a heap of extracurricular activities. Whether your kid’s into sport, music, or leadership, there’s always something to get involved in.
NSW leads the pack when it comes to top-ranking primary schools, especially in Sydney and surrounding suburbs.
Most of the high achievers are private / independent schools, with a few standout government schools - like Matthew Pearce in Baulkham Hills - earning a spot thanks to strong academic results.
| School | Location | Sector |
| Sydney Grammar School | Sydney (Darlinghurst) | Non-government |
| St Aloysius’ College | Sydney | Non-government |
| Pymble Ladies’ College | Pymble | Non-government |
| Abbotsleigh | Wahroonga | Non-government |
| Knox Grammar School | Wahroonga | Non-government |
| Northcross Christian School | Ryde | Non-government |
| Coogee Boys’ Preparatory School | Randwick | Non-government |
| Arden Anglican School | Beecroft | Non-government |
| Al-Faisal College | Minto | Non-government |
| Matthew Pearce Public School | Baulkham Hills | Government |
Whether you’re eyeing a selective fee-paying school on Sydney’s North Shore or a top-performing public school in other suburbs, relocating near selective schools in NSW can play a big part in your decision.
Queensland's top primary schools include a solid mix of high-performing government schools and independent colleges, stretching from Brisbane to the Gold Coast and up to Toowoomba. Whether you're after a faith-based school or a standout public option, there’s something here for every family.
If you’re relocating to Brisbane with kids, these schools offer a solid foundation for settling in and supporting your child’s education.
To help make the transition easier, check out this guide on moving house with kids, which covers tips for a smoother move and settling in.
| School | Location | Sector |
| Sunnybank Hills State School | Sunnybank Hills | Government |
| Rainworth State School | Rainworth | Government |
| Citipointe Christian College | Carindale | Non-government |
| Ipswich Grammar School | Ipswich | Non-government |
| Ormiston College | Ormiston | Non-government |
| The Southport School | Southport | Non-government |
| Good News Lutheran School | Middle Park | Non-government |
| St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School | Ascot | Non-government |
| St Peters Lutheran College | Indooroopilly | Non-government |
| Toowoomba Anglican School | East Toowoomba | Non-government |
Sunnybank Hills State School is a great spot for families in Brisbane looking for a solid education with a friendly vibe. It’s got a strong focus on both academics and personal development, making sure kids get the support they need to succeed.
Outside of class, students can dive into activities like sports, music, and other creative pursuits, so there’s something for everyone. The school’s known for its welcoming atmosphere, where kids can feel part of the community while they learn and grow.
Canberra might be small in size, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to quality primary education. The ACT offers a strong selection of high-performing government schools and a range of respected non-government options.
From Inner North to Woden Valley, schools in Canberra suburbs consistently perform well across key academic areas.
| School | Location | Sector |
| Canberra Girls Grammar School | Deakin | Non-government |
| Canberra Grammar School | Red Hill | Non-government |
| Radford College | Bruce | Non-government |
| Brindabella Christian College | Lyneham | Non-government |
| Emmaus Christian School | Dickson | Non-government |
| Covenant Christian School | Gordon | Non-government |
| St Thomas More’s Primary School | Campbell | Non-government |
| Garran Primary School | Garran | Government |
| Aranda Primary School | Aranda | Government |
Located in Deakin, Canberra Girls Grammar School is known for its excellent academic results, especially in subjects like English, maths, and the sciences.
But it’s not all about the books - students also have the chance to get involved in everything from sports and music to debating and leadership programs.
WA’s government schools feature strongly on the list, with many families moving to Perth for school catchments that offer top-tier education access.
The state's government schools feature strongly on the list, but if you're after an independent or international curriculum, schools like Hale or the International School of WA are worth a look.
| School | Location | Sector |
| Oberthur Primary School | Bull Creek | Government |
| Caladenia Primary School | Canning Vale | Government |
| Jolimont Primary School | Jolimont | Government |
| Nedlands Primary School | Nedlands | Government |
| Churchlands Primary School | Floreat | Government |
| Rostrata Primary School | Willetton | Government |
| Dalkeith Primary School | Dalkeith | Government |
| Australian Islamic College | Dianella | Non-government |
| Hale School | Wembley | Non-government |
| International School of Western Australia | Doubleview | Non-government |
Oberthur Primary School in Bull Creek is a school with a strong sense of community, established back in 1979. It’s got a great balance of academics and fun, with a focus on inspiring students to reach their full potential, both in the classroom and outside of it.
The school caters to students from Kindergarten to Year 6, and with about 650 kids enrolled, it’s big enough to offer a variety of extracurricular activities but small enough to feel personal. The school’s motto, “Every student, every classroom, every day, inspiring futures,” says it all.
South Australia’s best primary schools offer a great mix of non-government colleges and strong-performing public schools, often concentrated in the best school zones in Adelaide.
Many families consider moving to Adelaide for better school access, particularly in high-performing zones near the city centre.
| School | Location | Sector |
| St Andrew’s School | Walkerville | Non-government |
| Dara School | Park Holme | Non-government |
| St Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ School | Stonyfell | Non-government |
| Prince Alfred College | Kent Town | Non-government |
| Pembroke School | Kensington | Non-government |
| Linden Park Primary School | Linden Park | Government |
| Richmond Primary School | Keswick | Government |
| Rose Park Primary School | Rose Park | Government |
| Goodwood Primary School | Goodwood | Government |
St Andrew’s School in Walkerville is a top performer among primary schools in South Australia. It consistently ranks highly in NAPLAN results and is known for its strong academic performance, particularly in literacy and numeracy. In 2023, the school reported impressive achievement rates, with over 94% of students meeting national minimum standards across various subjects.
Tasmania may be small in size, but when it comes to quality primary education, it definitely holds its own.
The top schools are mostly concentrated around Hobart and Launceston, particularly in family-friendly suburbs in Hobart known for their supportive school communities. Here, there's a nice mix of independent schools and strong, community-focused government options.
| School | Location | Sector |
| Fahan School | Sandy Bay | Non-government |
| The Launceston Preparatory School | Launceston | Non-government |
| Channel Christian School | Margate | Non-government |
| Princes Street Primary School | Sandy Bay | Government |
| Albuera Street Primary School | Hobart | Government |
| South Hobart Primary School | South Hobart | Government |
| Mount Stuart Primary School | Mount Stuart | Government |
| Lansdowne Crescent Primary School | West Hobart | Government |
| Mount Nelson Primary School | Mount Nelson | Government |
| Lenah Valley Primary School | Lenah Valley | Government |
Fahan School in Sandy Bay takes the top spot in Tasmania. This all-girls school isn’t just about hitting the books – it’s all about empowering students to take charge of their learning.
The NT's top primary schools are a diverse mix of urban, regional, and remote options—including unique distance education offerings like the School of the Air.
Whether you’re already living in or relocating to the NT with kids, you’ll find strong education options across the state. Both the government and independent sectors offer solid choices worth exploring.
| School | Location | Sector |
| Alice Springs School of the Air | Alice Springs | Government |
| Katherine School of the Air | Katherine | Government |
| Nightcliff Primary School | Nightcliff | Government |
| Larrakeyah Primary School | Larrakeyah | Government |
| Durack Primary School | Durack | Government |
| Haileybury Rendall School | Berrimah | Non-government |
| The Alice Springs Steiner School | Alice Springs | Non-government |
| St Mary’s Catholic Primary School | Darwin | Non-government |
| Nhulunbuy Christian School | Nhulunbuy | Non-government |
| Marrara Christian School | Marrara | Non-government |
Known for its unique approach to education, Alice Springs School of Air, provides distance learning to students in remote areas, making education accessible no matter where students are.
Most of the top primary schools in Australia are non-government and often require enrolment applications years in advance. For a full overview of how the Australian education system works, read this guide to education in Australia. For a full overview of how the Australian education system works, you can also visit myGov’s official guide to primary school enrolment.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| School type | Fees | Entry requirements |
| Government (selective) | Low or free | Academic testing |
| Government (non-selective) | Low or free | Location-based |
| Independent / Non-government | Medium to high | Applications/interviews |
Moving for better schooling options is becoming increasingly common as parents weigh school performance alongside housing needs and lifestyle.
Many families do just that. If you’re relocating to be in the right school zone or to gain access to a top-performing school, don’t forget to:
At Upmove, we help families find and book trusted and reliable moving companies across Australia, making relocation easier and more affordable.
Source: Data compiled from Better Education
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