Public High Schools

In reply to the Hon. S.L. GAME ().16 September 2025).

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism): I have been advised:

South Australia recorded its best-ever NAPLAN results in 2025, climbing national rankings in nine of the test areas including all numeracy domains, and remaining steady in the rest. We were the only jurisdiction that didn't decline in any domain.

Year 9 students improved in reading, while year 7 and 9 students showed continued gains in writing and numeracy since 2023.

South Australia's representation in national school rankings is consistent with our population share, reflecting a smaller but high-performing system.

Other indicators are also trending up, including:

SACE completion rose from 62 per cent in 2019 to 70 per cent in 2024.

A/B grades in stage 2 subjects increased from 66 per cent to 69 per cent since 2021.

New attendance data also shows a third consecutive improvement in student attendance at public schools in 2025.

The data shows an attendance rate at the end of term 2 of 87.6 per cent compared with the term 2, 2024 attendance rate of 85.9 per cent—a positive indication that the investments in schools and more opportunities to study VET in schools to keep secondary students engaged is working.

These results come on top of South Australia's attendance rate in 2024 being higher than the national average for the first time since COVID.

Initiatives like the statewide mobile phone ban have further supported learning, with a 63 per cent fall in critical incidents involving social media and 75 per cent of staff reporting a positive impact as a result of the ban.

South Australia's public schools are improving through record investment, which is set to continue to grow over the next 10 years as a result of the historic funding agreement signed with the federal government.