Illawarra Primary School vs Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Western Australia, 2.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Illawarra Primary School
Ballajura · Government primary · K-6
310 students · ICSEA 987
Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School
Ballajura · Catholic primary · PP-6
393 students · ICSEA 1016
| Measure | Illawarra Primary School Ballajura WA | Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School Ballajura WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 34 Lower 50% | 44 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #422 of 583 | #344 of 583 |
| National rank (type) | #3823 of 4,908 | #3151 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | PP-6 |
| Students | 310 | 393 |
| Girls / boys | 161 / 149 | 205 / 188 |
| Foundation intake | 32 | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -18% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 987 | 1016 |
| ICSEA percentile | 41th | 54th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 37% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 16.4 | 15.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.0 | 25.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.0 | 24.4 |
| Language background other than English | 28% | 47% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 2% |
| Suburb | Ballajura 6066 | Ballajura 6066 |
| Council area | Swan | Swan |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/overview.do?schoolID=5654 | www.mmccps.wa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (44.0 vs 34.3).
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1016 vs 987), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School has fewer students per teacher (15.5 vs 16.4).
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School is the larger school with 393 students compared with 310.
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School has grown faster over five years (-11% vs -18%).
- •Illawarra Primary School is a government school while Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School 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 Illawarra Primary School better than Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School?
On the Success Index, Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School ranks higher (44.0 vs 34.3 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 Illawarra Primary School and Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School?
About 2.5 km in a straight line, between Ballajura and Ballajura in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Illawarra Primary School has 16.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School has 15.5.
How do Illawarra Primary School and Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School rank in WA?
Illawarra Primary School is 422nd of 583 and Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School is 344th of 583 among primary schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.