A recent Australian study has reaffirmed what Catholic educators and families have known for generations: Catholic education provides not only academic excellence but also long-term advantages in employment, income, health, and overall life satisfaction.
The study, conducted by the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and commissioned by the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA), analyzed data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, which has tracked more than 17,000 Australians annually since 2001. Its findings confirm that attending Catholic schools leads to significant, measurable benefits throughout life.
Higher Employment and Financial Stability
According to the study, individuals who attended Catholic schools were more likely to be employed and earned higher wages than those who attended government-run schools. Wage differences ranged from 4% to 11% in favor of Catholic school graduates. Lead researcher Andrew Wade, a longtime public policy analyst, explained that the team examined “the three different domains: labor market outcomes, health and well-being outcomes, and also community participation outcomes.”
Professor Elizabeth Labone, chief executive officer of the VCEA, emphasized that these results reflect the effectiveness of Catholic education. “This innovative research quantifies what people in our sector know intuitively, that Catholic schools do a great job preparing students for life.”
Better Health and Life Satisfaction
Beyond financial and career success, Catholic school graduates also experience better overall health and higher life satisfaction compared to their public school peers. The HILDA study’s unique longitudinal approach—tracking individuals over time—allowed researchers to observe these positive life trends. “The unique aspect of HILDA is that it collects data from the same individuals over time, so you can get a longitudinal picture of how their lives have changed over that period,” Wade noted.
A Commitment to Service and Community
Catholic school graduates were also found to be more likely to donate to charity and work in industries that directly benefit the public. This aligns with the mission of Catholic education, which seeks to instill not just knowledge but also values of service, faith, and compassion. Labone pointed to the holistic nature of Catholic education as a key factor in these outcomes: “By educating the whole person, Catholic schools support the development of well-rounded individuals who will succeed and be happy and confident in the world during and after their schooling, whatever path they choose through life.”
The Importance of Free Catholic Education Online
These findings reinforce the need for accessible Catholic education for all families. While traditional Catholic schools continue to thrive, online Catholic education is becoming an essential resource, ensuring that every child has access to faith-based learning, regardless of location or financial situation. Catholic Online School plays a vital role in this mission, offering free, high-quality Catholic education to students around the world.
Parents seeking the lifelong benefits of Catholic education but unable to afford private schooling can turn to Catholic Online School, where thousands of free video-based lessons in theology, scripture, Catholic history, and moral teachings help form young minds in both faith and knowledge. Just as the study shows that Catholic school graduates are more engaged, successful, and fulfilled in life, Catholic Online School ensures that these same advantages are accessible to all—free of charge.
Choosing Catholic Education: An Investment in Faith and the Future
As more families seek faith-based education options, the growing accessibility of online Catholic education presents an incredible opportunity. Whether in a traditional classroom or through virtual learning, Catholic education provides students with academic excellence, moral grounding, and the tools for lifelong success. As Labone stated, “Parents are increasingly looking for this kind of holistic approach, which is why a growing number of families are choosing one of the affordable Catholic schooling options available across the state.”
Through institutions like Catholic Online School, the mission of Catholic education continues, ensuring that students worldwide can receive the same faith-filled, high-quality education that has been proven to shape successful, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals.
