Ballina Public School vs Biala Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 929 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballina Public School
Ballina · Government primary · K-6
254 students · ICSEA 869
Biala Special School
Ballina · Independent special · U
33 students · ICSEA 898
| Measure | Ballina Public School Ballina NSW | Biala Special School Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #1319 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #4076 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | K-6 | U |
| Students | 254 | 33 |
| Girls / boys | 114 / 140 | 11 / 22 |
| Foundation intake | 32 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -7% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 869 | 898 |
| ICSEA percentile | 6th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 62% | 54% |
| Students per teacher | 11.3 | 4.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.4 | 6.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.7 | 10.3 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 41% | 36% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | ballina-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.biala.org.au |
The verdict
- •Biala Special School has the higher ICSEA (898 vs 869), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Biala Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 11.3).
- •Ballina Public School is the larger school with 254 students compared with 33.
- •Biala Special School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -7%).
- •Ballina Public School is a government school while Biala Special School is an independent school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Ballina Public School better than Biala Special School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Ballina Public School and Biala Special School?
About 929 m in a straight line, between Ballina and Ballina in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballina Public School has 11.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Biala Special School has 4.9.
How do Ballina Public School and Biala Special School rank in NSW?
Ballina Public School is 1319th of 1,619 and Biala Special School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.