Mount Austin High School vs Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount Austin High School
Wagga Wagga · Government high school · 7-12
522 students · ICSEA 822
Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited
Wagga Wagga · Independent combined · K-12
198 students · ICSEA 1078
| Measure | Mount Austin High School Wagga Wagga NSW | Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited Wagga Wagga NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 66 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #471 of 539 | #109 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #1288 of 1,472 | #345 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 522 | 198 |
| Girls / boys | 247 / 275 | 101 / 97 |
| Foundation intake | – | 30 |
| Year 7 cohort | 106 | 19 |
| Year 12 cohort | 47 | 5 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | +27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 822 | 1078 |
| ICSEA percentile | 3th | 78th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 76% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 10.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 54.9 | 19.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.1 | 4.8 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 57% |
| Indigenous students | 42% | 3% |
| Suburb | Wagga Wagga 2650 | Wagga Wagga 2650 |
| Council area | Wagga Wagga | Wagga Wagga |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mtaustin-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stmarymackillop.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited scores higher on the Success Index (65.9 vs 25.7).
- •Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited has the higher ICSEA (1078 vs 822), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Austin High School has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 10.4).
- •Mount Austin High School is the larger school with 522 students compared with 198.
- •Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited has grown faster over five years (27% vs 6%).
- •Mount Austin High School is a government school while Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited 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 Mount Austin High School better than Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited?
On the Success Index, Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited ranks higher (65.9 vs 25.7 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Mount Austin High School and Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Wagga Wagga and Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount Austin High School has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited has 10.4.
How do Mount Austin High School and Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited rank in NSW?
Mount Austin High School is 471st of 539 and Saint Mary MacKillop Colleges Limited is 109th of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.