St Augustine's College vs The BUSY School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Augustine's College
Cairns · Catholic high school · 7-12
777 students · ICSEA 1060
The BUSY School
Cairns · Independent high school · 11-12
1,780 students · ICSEA 975
| Measure | St Augustine's College Cairns QLD | The BUSY School Cairns QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 67 Top 25% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #31 of 269 | #146 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #365 of 1,472 | #923 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 11-12 |
| Students | 777 | 1,780 |
| Girls / boys | 0 / 777 | 926 / 854 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 136 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 133 | 800 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | +3323% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1060 | 975 |
| ICSEA percentile | 72th | 36th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 11.8 | 20.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 65.8 | 85.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.3 | 127.1 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 14% |
| Suburb | Cairns 4870 | Cairns 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.sac.qld.edu.au | busyschools.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Augustine's College scores higher on the Success Index (66.8 vs 41.2).
- •St Augustine's College has the higher ICSEA (1060 vs 975), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Augustine's College has fewer students per teacher (11.8 vs 20.9).
- •The BUSY School is the larger school with 1,780 students compared with 777.
- •The BUSY School has grown faster over five years (3323% vs -2%).
- •St Augustine's College is a catholic school while The BUSY School 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 St Augustine's College better than The BUSY School?
On the Success Index, St Augustine's College ranks higher (66.8 vs 41.2 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 St Augustine's College and The BUSY School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Cairns and Cairns in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Augustine's College has 11.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The BUSY School has 20.9.
How do St Augustine's College and The BUSY School rank in QLD?
St Augustine's College is 31st of 269 and The BUSY School is 146th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.