Bass Coast Specialist School vs Powlett River Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 7.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bass Coast Specialist School
Wonthaggi · Government special · U
74 students · ICSEA 922
Powlett River Primary School
Dalyston · Government primary · Prep-6
47 students · ICSEA 970
| Measure | Bass Coast Specialist School Wonthaggi VIC | Powlett River Primary School Dalyston VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 74 | 47 |
| Girls / boys | 19 / 55 | 22 / 25 |
| Foundation intake | – | 10 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +12% | -4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 922 | 970 |
| ICSEA percentile | 16th | 33th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 59% | 39% |
| Students per teacher | 3.8 | 6.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.3 | 6.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.8 | 4.5 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 15% |
| Suburb | Wonthaggi 3995 | Dalyston 3992 |
| Council area | Bass Coast | Bass Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | basscoastss.vic.edu.au/ | www.powlett.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Powlett River Primary School has the higher ICSEA (970 vs 922), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bass Coast Specialist School has fewer students per teacher (3.8 vs 6.9).
- •Bass Coast Specialist School is the larger school with 74 students compared with 47.
- •Bass Coast Specialist School has grown faster over five years (12% vs -4%).
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 Bass Coast Specialist School better than Powlett River Primary School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Bass Coast Specialist School and Powlett River Primary School?
About 7.1 km in a straight line, between Wonthaggi and Dalyston in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bass Coast Specialist School has 3.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Powlett River Primary School has 6.9.
How do Bass Coast Specialist School and Powlett River Primary School rank in VIC?
Bass Coast Specialist School is unranked and Powlett River Primary School is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.