Illawarra Hospital School vs Smiths Hill High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Illawarra Hospital School
Wollongong · Government special
Smiths Hill High School
Wollongong · Government high school · 7-12
736 students · ICSEA 1186
| Measure | Illawarra Hospital School Wollongong NSW | Smiths Hill High School Wollongong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #64 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #180 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | – | 7-12 |
| Students | – | 736 |
| Girls / boys | – / – | 320 / 416 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 120 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 134 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | – | 1186 |
| ICSEA percentile | – | 99th |
| Top SEA quarter | – | 67% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | – | 2% |
| Students per teacher | – | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 2.3 | 55.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.0 | 10.7 |
| Language background other than English | – | 42% |
| Indigenous students | – | 1% |
| Suburb | Wollongong 2500 | Wollongong 2500 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | illawarhos-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | smithshill-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Campbelltown
Frequently asked questions
Is Illawarra Hospital School better than Smiths Hill High 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 Illawarra Hospital School and Smiths Hill High School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Wollongong and Wollongong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Staffing data is not available for one of the schools.
How do Illawarra Hospital School and Smiths Hill High School rank in NSW?
Illawarra Hospital School is unranked and Smiths Hill High School is 64th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.