Hervey Bay State High School vs Xavier Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 2.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hervey Bay State High School
Pialba · Government high school · 7-12
1,280 students · ICSEA 963
Xavier Catholic College
Hervey Bay · Catholic combined · Prep-12
1,322 students · ICSEA 1021
| Measure | Hervey Bay State High School Pialba QLD | Xavier Catholic College Hervey Bay QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 48 Lower 50% | 38 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #123 of 269 | #192 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #788 of 1,472 | #906 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 1,280 | 1,322 |
| Girls / boys | 653 / 627 | 657 / 665 |
| Foundation intake | – | 74 |
| Year 7 cohort | 258 | 137 |
| Year 12 cohort | 143 | 89 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 963 | 1021 |
| ICSEA percentile | 30th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 15.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 111.3 | 83.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 46.7 | 44.4 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 9% |
| Suburb | Pialba 4655 | Hervey Bay 4655 |
| Council area | Fraser Coast | Fraser Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | herveybayshs.eq.edu.au | www.xavier.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Hervey Bay State High School scores higher on the Success Index (47.5 vs 37.8).
- •Xavier Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1021 vs 963), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Hervey Bay State High School has fewer students per teacher (11.5 vs 15.8).
- •Xavier Catholic College is the larger school with 1,322 students compared with 1,280.
- •Xavier Catholic College has grown faster over five years (17% vs 3%).
- •Hervey Bay State High School is a government school while Xavier Catholic 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 Hervey Bay State High School better than Xavier Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Hervey Bay State High School ranks higher (47.5 vs 37.8 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 Hervey Bay State High School and Xavier Catholic College?
About 2.8 km in a straight line, between Pialba and Hervey Bay in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hervey Bay State High School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Xavier Catholic College has 15.8.
How do Hervey Bay State High School and Xavier Catholic College rank in QLD?
Hervey Bay State High School is 123rd of 269 and Xavier Catholic College is 192nd of 275 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.