Region · New South Wales
Wollongong & Illawarra
The Illawarra coast combines coastal lifestyle with pockets of deep disadvantage. Areas like Warrawong and Dapto record socioeconomic pressures that translate directly into student wellbeing challenges.
310,000
Estimated population
~180 schools
Approximate schools
High
disadvantage index in northern Wollongong suburbs
↑
youth self-harm presentations at Wollongong Hospital
Limited
specialist CAMHS availability outside city centre
Priority Wellbeing Issues
Youth Self-Harm
Critical↑ Hospital presentations
Wollongong Hospital emergency data shows increasing youth self-harm presentations, concentrated in disadvantaged northern suburbs and Year 9–10 cohorts.
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Socioeconomic Disadvantage
ElevatedSEIFA below state median
Multiple Illawarra LGA pockets score below the state median on SEIFA. This directly correlates with elevated rates of emotional and behavioural difficulties in schools.
School Belonging
NotableBelow NSW benchmark
CESE data shows belonging scores in several Illawarra schools below the NSW benchmark, particularly in schools serving disadvantaged catchments.
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schoolSchool Profile Data · ACARA 2025
Schools in Wollongong & Illawarra
School Profile Data · ACARA 2025
schoolSchools
65
in this area
groupsStudents
23,663
total enrolments
equalizerAvg ICSEA
1050
50 points above national average
domainBy Sector
Government
68%(44)
Independent
18%(12)
Catholic
14%(9)
diversity_3Equity Indicators
bar_chart
20.0%Socioeconomic disadvantage
in lowest ICSEA quarter
people
7.2%Indigenous students
avg across schools
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19.0%Language other than English
LBOTE avg across schools
info
Source: ACARA National School Profile, data as at March 2025. ICSEA national average is 1000. Schools shown are matched via postcode to SA3 region.
How Data Changes Outcomes
Prevention Insight
Wollongong schools need tools to identify at-risk students early, before self-harm escalates to crisis. Data-led wellbeing platforms can flag disengagement signals weeks in advance.
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