House prices soar in popular school catchment zones around Australia

PHOTO: Megan Matthew with her children Jack, 15, Ruby, 13 and Frankie, 3, at their home in Bardon, Brisbane. Photo: Marc Pricop

House prices in some school catchments have skyrocketed by almost 30 per cent over the past 12 months, proving education is not only golden but worth far more to families than a big pool and water views.

Prices soared in both affordable and ritzy neighbourhoods, the latest Domain School Zones Report, released Thursday, showed, as parents sought the best opportunities for their children.

The dramatic price hike comes amid reports of fierce buyer competition in key family hotspots, as growing hordes of home hunters place primary and secondary school access at the top of their wish list.

School Zones Compared

See how School catchments compare across different cities and how they drive property value and growth.

School Zones Report

“These catchments are a fundamental driver for property decisions because education is hugely important,” Domain senior research analyst Nicola Powell said, adding that price jumps were recorded in both expensive and affordable pockets.

Australia’s top 10 primary school zones for house price growth

School name	State	Median	YOY
Como Primary School	WA	$901,750	+35.6%
Dudley Park Primary School	WA	$276,000	+30.8%
Bald Hills State School	QLD	$675,000	+29.2%
Newport Public School	NSW	$2,000,000	+29%
Wynnum West State School	QLD	$547,500	+28.8%
Rainworth State School	QLD	$1,150,000	+27.8%
Elwood Primary School	VIC	$1,730,000	+27.2%
Ipswich Central State School	QLD	$365,000	+27%
Avalon Public School	NSW	$2,562,500	+26.5%
Cannon Hill State School	QLD	$755,000	+25.8%

Source: Domain School Zones report 2020. Median sale price is based on 12 months of data to October.

Australia’s top 10 high school zones for house price growth

School name	State	Median	YOY
Armadale Senior High School	WA	$325,000	+32.7%
Epping Boys High School	NSW	$1,565,000	+32.3%
Colo High School	NSW	$600,000	+31.9%
Applecross Senior High School	WA	$1,030,000	+28.9%
Willoughby Girls High School	NSW	$3,115,000	+28.6%
Staughton College	VIC	$480,000	+28%
Ryde Secondary College	NSW	$1,530,000	+27.5%
Rosebud Secondary College	VIC	$796,000	+27.4%
Belconnen High School	ACT	$707,600	+26.4%
Albert Park College	VIC	$1,695,000	+25.6%