Freshwater State School vs Machans Beach State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 4.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Freshwater State School
Freshwater · Government primary · Prep-6
594 students · ICSEA 1064
Machans Beach State School
Machans Beach · Government primary · Prep-6
135 students · ICSEA 944
| Measure | Freshwater State School Freshwater QLD | Machans Beach State School Machans Beach QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 63 Top 50% | 30 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #174 of 804 | #602 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1696 of 4,908 | #4098 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 594 | 135 |
| Girls / boys | 278 / 316 | 75 / 60 |
| Foundation intake | 66 | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1064 | 944 |
| ICSEA percentile | 73th | 22th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 10% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 14.8 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.1 | 8.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.4 | 5.4 |
| Language background other than English | 21% | 34% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 23% |
| Suburb | Freshwater 4870 | Machans Beach 4878 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | freshwaterss.eq.edu.au | machansbeachss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Freshwater State School scores higher on the Success Index (62.5 vs 30.3).
- •Freshwater State School has the higher ICSEA (1064 vs 944), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Freshwater State School has fewer students per teacher (14.8 vs 15.3).
- •Freshwater State School is the larger school with 594 students compared with 135.
- •Machans Beach State School has grown faster over five years (2% vs -14%).
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 Freshwater State School better than Machans Beach State School?
On the Success Index, Freshwater State School ranks higher (62.5 vs 30.3 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 Freshwater State School and Machans Beach State School?
About 4.5 km in a straight line, between Freshwater and Machans Beach in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Freshwater State School has 14.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Machans Beach State School has 15.3.
How do Freshwater State School and Machans Beach State School rank in QLD?
Freshwater State School is 174th of 804 and Machans Beach State School is 602nd of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.