Ballarat Steiner School vs Buninyong Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballarat Steiner School
Mount Helen · Independent primary · Prep-6
64 students · ICSEA 1076
Buninyong Primary School
Buninyong · Government primary · Prep-6
567 students · ICSEA 1044
| Measure | Ballarat Steiner School Mount Helen VIC | Buninyong Primary School Buninyong VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 54 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #794 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #2389 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 64 | 567 |
| Girls / boys | 37 / 27 | 262 / 305 |
| Foundation intake | 14 | 66 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -33% | -17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1076 | 1044 |
| ICSEA percentile | 77th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 31% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 6.8 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.3 | 38.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.0 | 17.5 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 2% |
| Suburb | Mount Helen 3350 | Buninyong 3357 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.ballaratsteinerschool.com.au | www.buninyongps.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ballarat Steiner School scores higher on the Success Index (68.6 vs 54.2).
- •Ballarat Steiner School has the higher ICSEA (1076 vs 1044), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (6.8 vs 14.6).
- •Buninyong Primary School is the larger school with 567 students compared with 64.
- •Buninyong Primary School has grown faster over five years (-17% vs -33%).
- •Ballarat Steiner School is a independent school while Buninyong Primary School is a government 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Wyndham Vale
Frequently asked questions
Is Ballarat Steiner School better than Buninyong Primary School?
On the Success Index, Ballarat Steiner School ranks higher (68.6 vs 54.2 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 Ballarat Steiner School and Buninyong Primary School?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Mount Helen and Buninyong in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat Steiner School has 6.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Buninyong Primary School has 14.6.
How do Ballarat Steiner School and Buninyong Primary School rank in VIC?
Ballarat Steiner School is unranked and Buninyong Primary School is 794th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.