Cairns State High School vs St Augustine's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cairns State High School
Cairns North · Government high school · 7-12
1,636 students · ICSEA 1019
St Augustine's College
Cairns · Catholic high school · 7-12
777 students · ICSEA 1060
| Measure | Cairns State High School Cairns North QLD | St Augustine's College Cairns QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #106 of 269 | #31 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #718 of 1,472 | #365 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,636 | 777 |
| Girls / boys | 846 / 790 | 0 / 777 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 283 | 136 |
| Year 12 cohort | 234 | 133 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1019 | 1060 |
| ICSEA percentile | 56th | 72th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 30% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 19% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 11.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 124.1 | 65.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 50.3 | 25.3 |
| Language background other than English | 42% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 10% |
| Suburb | Cairns North 4870 | Cairns 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnsshs.eq.edu.au | www.sac.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Augustine's College scores higher on the Success Index (66.8 vs 51.1).
- •St Augustine's College has the higher ICSEA (1060 vs 1019), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Augustine's College has fewer students per teacher (11.8 vs 13.2).
- •Cairns State High School is the larger school with 1,636 students compared with 777.
- •Cairns State High School is a government school while St Augustine's College is a catholic 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 Cairns State High School better than St Augustine's College?
On the Success Index, St Augustine's College ranks higher (66.8 vs 51.1 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 Cairns State High School and St Augustine's College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Cairns North and Cairns in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns State High School has 13.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Augustine's College has 11.8.
How do Cairns State High School and St Augustine's College rank in QLD?
Cairns State High School is 106th of 269 and St Augustine's College is 31st of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.