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Schools in Wollongong: Guide for Families

Find the best primary and high schools in Wollongong and Illawarra. Compare selective, Catholic, and government options for families moving to the region.

By Wollongong Daily · Published 3 July 2026

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This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Wollongong is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care. The sources listed are organisation homepages rather than pages that verify each individual claim.

Schools in Wollongong

Wollongong and the broader Illawarra region offer a solid range of schooling options. The compact geography means most families can access a good selection of schools without long commutes. NSW's selective school system applies here, and several Sydney-accessible independent schools serve the area.

Government Schools

Wollongong's government schools include Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts (a selective entry school for arts students), Keira High School, and Illawarra Sports High School (sport selective). Comprehensive government high schools across the Illawarra include Figtree High School, Warrawong High School, and Dapto High School. Several primary schools in the northern suburbs (Keiraville, Gwynneville) are highly regarded.

Catholic Schools

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong operates across the Illawarra. Notable schools include Edmund Rice College (Wollongong, boys, Years 7-12), OLMC (Our Lady of Mercy College, Wollongong, girls), and a network of primary schools. Many Catholic Illawarra schools draw students from across the region.

Independent Schools

Illawarra Grammar School (Figtree, co-ed K-12, Anglican) is the most prominent independent school in the Wollongong area. Aspect South Coast School serves students with autism spectrum disorder. The Sydney commute distance also makes some northern Sydney independent schools accessible for families in Wollongong's northern suburbs.

Finding and Enrolling

NSW government school enrolments are at education.nsw.gov.au. Performing arts and sport selective school applications close in Term 2 for the following year. Contact the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong and independent schools directly.

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