This is a practical guide to the best schools in Wollongong NSW for 2025, covering both public and private options for primary and high school. The goal is simple: help you shortlist schools that fit your child and your suburb, then show you how to verify NSW intake areas and enrolment rules before you make a move.
We’ve grouped school options the way families actually search — by area, lifestyle and commute. If you’re buying or refinancing in Wollongong or the Illawarra, it helps to connect your school shortlist to your budget early; start with Rate Challenge Locations to compare options and plan your numbers.
Last updated: 9 February 2026. General information only — always confirm zoning/intake areas and enrolment criteria directly with the school and official sources.
Government agencies don’t publish ‘league tables’. We use Find my School (zones), My School profiles and official school sources. General information only — always confirm details directly with schools and official sites before you buy.
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Use this guide to shortlist schools in Wollongong NSW, then verify eligibility using official zone/catchment information. There’s no official league table — “best” is about fit and rules.
NSW public schools use local intake areas. Your home address sets your designated local school. Public schools guarantee places for in-area students and may take out-of-area enrolments if capacity allows, using each school’s published criteria. Intake boundaries can change, so always re-check the exact property address close to purchase time using the NSW School Finder.
Government schooling is free for instruction. Public schools may ask for voluntary contributions and charge for optional extras like camps, devices and some activities. Catholic and independent schools publish fee schedules and handle enrolments directly, with discounts varying by sibling count and year level.
In Wollongong, shortlists often line up with lifestyle pockets like Keiraville/Gwynneville, Mount Keira, Figtree/Mount St Thomas, Balgownie/Bulli/Thirroul, Woonona, and the southern growth areas toward Warrawong. Once you know your “must-have” school, the next step is matching it to a price bracket that works with your deposit and servicing buffer.
Selective and specialist schools. Schools like Smith’s Hill High (selective) or Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts (specialist) have entry processes that don’t rely on local intake areas in the same way. If one of these is the goal, check testing dates and enrolment rules early.
Known for: a well-regarded north-side comprehensive with strong community feel and steady demand from coastal families.
Often shortlisted by buyers in Bulli, Woonona and Thirroul who want a local 7–12 pathway and easy transport links.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributions Transport: coastal rail/bus corridorKnown for: a practical, community-centred comprehensive serving the northern suburbs.
A common shortlist in Corrimal, Bellambi and Towradgi for families wanting a close-to-home high school with balanced academics and sport.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributions Transport: Princes Hwy busesKnown for: a popular south-inner comprehensive with strong wellbeing structures and broad subject choice.
Shortlisted heavily by buyers in Figtree, Mount St Thomas and West Wollongong who value a stable local intake area.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributions Transport: Figtree/Uni bus routesKnown for: a co-ed Catholic secondary with a strong local footprint and solid pastoral focus.
Frequently shortlisted alongside north-side government options for families wanting a values-based 7–12 pathway.
Catholic: mid-fee secondary; see schedule Transport: north Wollongong busesKnown for: a sports-specialist pathway with programs for high-performance student-athletes.
Shortlisted by families with sport-focused kids across the LGA. Entry includes program criteria, so check timelines early.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributions Specialist entry • south corridorKnown for: one of Wollongong’s flagship comprehensives with strong academic culture and co-curricular depth.
A go-to shortlist for Keiraville/Gwynneville/Mt Keira buyers who want a stable, high-demand local intake area.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributions Transport: Uni/CBD buses nearbyKnown for: a high-performing selective pathway with entry through the NSW selective test.
Shortlisted by families wanting a selective option without leaving Wollongong. Testing and placement timelines matter more than location.
Govt selective: instruction free Selective entry • train/bus accessibleKnown for: a south-side comprehensive with practical pathways and strong community links.
A regular shortlist for families in Warrawong, Port Kembla and Lake Heights who want a local 7–12 option.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributions Transport: south corridor busesKnown for: a performing-arts specialist path (music, dance, drama) with audition-based entry.
Shortlisted by creative families across the Illawarra. If it’s a must-have, confirm audition dates early.
Govt specialist: instruction free Audition entry • north of CBDKnown for: a long-standing Catholic boys’ secondary with strong sporting and pastoral traditions.
Often shortlisted by west-side and CBD-edge families wanting single-sex Catholic secondary close to town.
Catholic: mid-fee secondary; see schedule Transport: CBD/Uni bus linesKnown for: a coastal K–6 with strong community ties and a calm north-beach feel.
A regular shortlist for families wanting a village lifestyle with train-line access to Wollongong.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a tightly held intake area with steady demand from north-inner families.
Often shortlisted by buyers in Balgownie and Fairy Meadow who want a classic neighbourhood primary.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a dependable south-inner K–6 intake area with strong family demand.
Pairs naturally with Figtree High for families wanting a local K–12 arc.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a sought-after inner-north intake area close to Uni and CBD.
A favourite shortlist for buyers in Gwynneville/Keiraville chasing walkability and school-run ease.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a high-demand intake area with strong community culture.
Often paired with Keira High for families wanting a consistent north-inner pathway.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a strongly held K–6 intake area close to CBD and hospital precinct.
Shortlisted by buyers who want quick town access without giving up a quiet neighbourhood run.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a friendly K–6 with a stable local intake and easy north-inner access.
A regular shortlist for families wanting a quieter pocket close to Balgownie and the CBD.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a popular coastal intake area with strong community demand.
Very common shortlist for north-coast families valuing walkability and rail access.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a steady north-side K–6 with a classic neighbourhood feel.
Shortlisted by buyers in Woonona and Bulli wanting an easy local run before high school options.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsKnown for: a central K–6 option with an Opportunity Class stream and strong walkability.
Great fit for buyers close to town who want a true “walk-to-school” lifestyle.
Govt: instruction free; voluntary contributionsUse this to narrow to 3–5 schools to tour. Always confirm enrolment rules and catchment eligibility.
| Level | School | Type | Suburb/Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary | Bulli High School Profile ↓ | Government (Years 7–12) | Bulli / North coastal | a well-regarded north-side comprehensive with strong community feel and steady demand from coastal families. |
| Secondary | Corrimal High School Profile ↓ | Government (Years 7–12) | Corrimal | a practical, community-centred comprehensive serving the northern suburbs. |
| Secondary | Figtree High School Profile ↓ | Government (Years 7–12) | Figtree | a popular south-inner comprehensive with strong wellbeing structures and broad subject choice. |
| Secondary | Holy Spirit College Profile ↓ | Catholic (Years 7–12) | Bellambi | a co-ed Catholic secondary with a strong local footprint and solid pastoral focus. |
| Secondary | Illawarra Sports High School Profile ↓ | Government specialist (Years 7–12) | Berkeley | a sports-specialist pathway with programs for high-performance student-athletes. |
| Secondary | Keira High School Profile ↓ | Government (Years 7–12) | Gwynneville / Mount Keira | one of Wollongong’s flagship comprehensives with strong academic culture and co-curricular depth. |
| Secondary | Smith’s Hill High School Profile ↓ | Government selective (Years 7–12) | Wollongong CBD edge | a high-performing selective pathway with entry through the NSW selective test. |
| Secondary | Warrawong High School Profile ↓ | Government (Years 7–12) | Warrawong / South corridor | a south-side comprehensive with practical pathways and strong community links. |
| Secondary | Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts Profile ↓ | Government specialist (Years 7–12) | Fairy Meadow | a performing-arts specialist path (music, dance, drama) with audition-based entry. |
| Secondary | Edmund Rice College Profile ↓ | Catholic (Years 7–12, boys) | West Wollongong | a long-standing Catholic boys’ secondary with strong sporting and pastoral traditions. |
| Primary | Austinmer Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Austinmer | a coastal K–6 with strong community ties and a calm north-beach feel. |
| Primary | Balgownie Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Balgownie | a tightly held intake area with steady demand from north-inner families. |
| Primary | Figtree Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Figtree | a dependable south-inner K–6 intake area with strong family demand. |
| Primary | Gwynneville Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Gwynneville | a sought-after inner-north intake area close to Uni and CBD. |
| Primary | Keiraville Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Keiraville | a high-demand intake area with strong community culture. |
| Primary | Mount St Thomas Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Mount St Thomas | a strongly held K–6 intake area close to CBD and hospital precinct. |
| Primary | Pleasant Heights Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Mount Pleasant | a friendly K–6 with a stable local intake and easy north-inner access. |
| Primary | Thirroul Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Thirroul | a popular coastal intake area with strong community demand. |
| Primary | Woonona Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Woonona | a steady north-side K–6 with a classic neighbourhood feel. |
| Primary | Wollongong Public School Profile ↓ | Government | Wollongong CBD (OC available) | a central K–6 option with an Opportunity Class stream and strong walkability. |
Tip: if you’re out-of-zone for a government school, treat it as a long-shot unless the school explicitly states they take out-of-zone offers at your year level.
NSW and the Department of Education don’t publish official “league tables”. This guide is a shortlist built from public information (school websites, NSW School Finder, and My School profiles) plus what families typically prioritise: local intake rules, program pathways (selective/specialist), commute practicality, and overall fit.
Use this as a starting point, then verify every shortlist item with the school and official sources before you buy.
To keep the page fast, Google Maps are set to load only when you click. Each school card below has a “Load map” button so you can check location and nearby transport when you’re ready.
Tip: use maps alongside NSW School Finder — the intake area boundary, not distance, usually decides eligibility for public schools.
1) Check local intake areas precisely: Use the NSW School Finder with the exact property address. Some streets split; zoom to the parcel. If a school is mission-critical, get written confirmation from the school close to exchange time.
2) Read My School profiles properly: Look at enrolment trends, student background, funding and multi-year NAPLAN growth, not just single-year bands. Compare like-for-like communities.
3) Fees & extras: Public instruction is free; expect voluntary contributions and optional charges. Catholic/independent schools publish fee pages with what’s included — check device, uniform and camp costs before comparing net affordability.
4) Selective/specialist entry: If you’re aiming for Smith’s Hill, or a performing arts/sports pathway, confirm testing, audition or program criteria early and keep a local intake backup.
5) Visit & observe fit: Walk the campus. Ask about behaviour policies, learning support/extension, homework and reporting. Culture match beats headline metrics.
6) Commute logistics: Time the school run at bell times. North coastal families often rely on the rail spine; south corridor families lean on bus routes and Princes Hwy access. Factor parking and transfers into daily life.
7) Save your evidence: Keep screenshots of intake maps and current fee schedules. We’ll sync finance timelines with enrolment acceptance dates so you don’t rush decisions — our Rate Challenge brokers can help line up pre-approvals for the Wollongong suburbs you’re targeting.
NSW School Finder (intake areas) · My School profiles
Once you’ve narrowed down schools and catchments, it’s the right time to reality-check borrowing power and the price brackets that fit. The Rate Challenge Home Loan Guide walks through deposits, buffers and pre-approvals in plain terms.
School shortlists often change the suburb shortlist — and that changes price ranges. These steps keep the move realistic and reduce stress.
No. NSW publishes data on My School but not official league tables. Private rankings use their own methods and often ignore context like student background and multi-year growth. Use intake areas, fee pages and on-site visits to judge fit.
Most NSW public schools have designated local intake areas. In-area students are guaranteed places, while out-of-area enrolments depend on capacity and each school’s criteria. Always check School Finder with the exact address before you buy.
Sometimes. Public schools must prioritise students who live in their intake area, then consider out-of-area applications if places remain. Ask each school about demand, closing dates and their criteria so you know how realistic it is.
Smith’s Hill High is selective, and Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts and Illawarra Sports High have specialist pathways. Entry is based on testing/auditions/program criteria rather than catchment alone, so confirm timelines early and keep a local backup.
Public instruction is free, but schools may request voluntary contributions and charge for optional extras like camps or devices. Catholic and independent schools publish annual fee schedules with inclusions and sibling discount rules. Compare net costs, not headline tuition alone.
Keiraville, Gwynneville and Mount Keira sit closest to the University and are popular with buyers wanting walkable or bike-friendly runs. Inner-south pockets like Mount St Thomas and Figtree balance CBD access with quieter residential streets.
Some Wollongong primaries offer OC streams, and entry is separate to the general intake area process. If OC is a goal, check the NSW OC placement rules and timelines early.
Look for enrolment patterns, funding, student background and multi-year growth. Compare similar communities and use tours to confirm culture, support and extension programs.
Usually possible if capacity exists. Contact the new school early with proof of address, organise records and device setup, and confirm uniform availability. Private schools may have term-based intakes and waitlists.
Check before/after-school care windows, pupil-free days and vacation programs. Popular schools can have OSHC waitlists, so joining early helps once your move is locked in.