What Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes does

Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes (CEWF) is the diocesan education office of the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, responsible for administering a network of 18 Catholic primary schools across Western New South Wales, Australia. The diocese covers half of New South Wales and encompasses 22 parishes, serving K-6 students in remote and rural communities from Balranald and Wilcannia to Forbes and Deniliquin. A 19th school, St Carlo's Catholic School in Moama, is scheduled to open in 2027. Enrolment is open to Catholic and non-Catholic families, and the system explicitly does not deny enrolment on the basis of inability to pay fees.

CEWF's technology platform is built on Google Workspace for Education (GSuite), with a 1:1 Chromebook device program established in January 2015 in which every student in Years K-6 is provided with an individual Chromebook funded through a per-term parent levy (K-2: $40/term; Years 3-6: $35/term). The diocese operates a Needs-Based Funding Model aligned with NSW government arrangements and is rolling out GEODE (Gifted Education Online Diocesan Environment) to support gifted and diverse learners across dispersed campuses. Specialized roles including Aboriginal Education Support Officers and Aboriginal Education Workers serve a student body that is approximately 16% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (per 2016 census data).

The organization is a non-profit entity operating under the canonical authority of the Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes, with the Director of Catholic Education accountable to the Bishop. Revenue is generated primarily through per-term tuition ($221.50 per child per term), resource fees ($28.50 per child per term), building levies ($58 per family per term), and the Chromebook technology levy, supplemented by government needs-based funding. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer via individual school enrolment, with no channel intermediaries. Marketing and recruitment are conducted through school websites, a CEWF Teacher Referral Program, and active social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube).

Name

Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes

Legal name

Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes

Website

https://wf.catholic.edu.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes is the diocesan education office administering 18 Catholic primary schools across rural and remote Western New South Wales, serving K-6 students and families under the canonical authority of the Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes through per-term tuition, levies, and government needs-based funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Catholic primary education
• K-6 schooling services
• Diocesan school network
• Rural education delivery
• Faith-based curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Forbes

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. School Tuition Fees: Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes generates revenue primarily through school tuition fees charged to families per term per child. Fee levels vary by school. Sibling discounts apply: 10% for second child, 20% for third child, and fourth child pays no tuition fee.
2. Resource and Building Levies: In addition to tuition, families pay per-child resource fees and per-family building levies each term.
3. Chromebook Technology Levy: Parents pay a per-child per-term Chromebook levy depending on year level (K-2: $40/term; Years 3-6: $35/term) to support the 1:1 device program.
4. Needs-Based Funding: The organization operates under a Needs-Based Funding Model as a Catholic education diocese, receiving government funding based on student needs and remote/rural location factors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes is the diocesan education office that administers a network of 18 Catholic primary schools across the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, spanning 22 parishes and covering approximately half of New South Wales, Australia. It delivers Kindergarten to Year 6 primary education that integrates the NSW curriculum with Catholic faith formation, the 'Sharing Our Story' Religious Education curriculum, and Making Jesus Real (MJR) philosophy, supported by a 1:1 Chromebook program and dedicated services for Aboriginal students, gifted learners, and students with additional needs.

Product overview

Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes operates as a diocesan education office managing a network of 18 Catholic primary schools across Western NSW. The organization provides a coordinated suite of educational services including Catholic identity formation, leadership development, learning and teaching programs, financial and facilities management, community engagement, and pastoral care. The network utilizes Google Workspace for Education as its primary technology platform, with Chromebooks provided to all students since 2015. Each school maintains individual websites while adhering to diocesan policies and procedures. The diocese spans twenty-two parishes covering half of New South Wales, with schools located in rural and remote communities from Balranald to Wilcannia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes Primary School Network Diocesan network of 18 Catholic primary schools delivering Kindergarten to Year 6 education across Western NSW. Schools integrate NSW curriculum with Catholic identity, faith formation, leadership, learning and teaching, finance and facilities management, community and culture programs, and pastoral care and wellbeing support for families across rural and remote NSW.
• Chromebook 1:1 Technology Program (Google Workspace for Education) Diocesan-wide program providing every student in Years K-6 with a personal Chromebook running Google Workspace for Education. ICT is positioned as a connector across geographically dispersed communities and an enabler of learning. Parents pay an annual levy per term per child (K-2: $40/term; Years 3-6: $35/term).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20% of Australian children attend Catholic schools nationally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Bishop of Wilcannia-ForbescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Director of Catholic Education is employed by and is responsible to the Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes for the administration of the Catholic Education Office. The diocese's Catholic identity and mission are anchored in the Bishop's leadership, and the Bishop is the canonical authority over all Catholic schools in the diocese.
• Parishes of the Diocese of Wilcannia-ForbescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe diocese encompasses 22 parishes. Schools work in partnership with parishes, school boards, and parish priests (e.g., Fr Dominic in Broken Hill, Fr Peter Neivandt in Hay) for liturgical celebrations, sacramental preparation, and faith formation.
• Council of Catholic School Parents NSW (CCSP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCSP is the state peak body officially recognised by the Bishops of NSW since 1995 to provide leadership, advocacy, and support for parents and carers of children in all NSW Catholic schools. At the national level, CCSP is a member of Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA). CCSP provides parent resources including guides on diverse learners, Catholic faith, and family-school partnerships.
• NSW Government and Health AuthoritiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe diocese follows NSW Government COVID-safe guidelines and NSW Health advice for schools. Schools comply with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) curriculum requirements.
• Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body established in 2013 to represent, advocate for, and lobby on behalf of, Catholic school parents and carers. CSPA frequently partners with the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) in matters of national significance.
• Local Aboriginal Education Consultative GroupsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAboriginal Education Workers work closely with Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups. The CEO employs an Aboriginal Education Support Officer who liaises with AEWs across the diocese and engages with Aboriginal communities.
• Moorambilla VoicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoorambilla Voices helps uncover artistic excellence in regional children and youth in Western region schools of the diocese.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Education South Australia: South Australian Catholic education authority administering primary and secondary schools across metropolitan and regional areas; comparable systemic Catholic school funding model.
• Sydney Catholic Schools: The largest Catholic systemic schools operator in NSW with 150+ primary and secondary schools across metropolitan Sydney; same funding model and Catholic mission but operates at significantly greater scale and density.
• Catholic Education Western Australia: WA's statewide Catholic education authority operating 160+ schools including extensive rural and remote footprints; particularly relevant given comparable geographic dispersion challenges.
• Brisbane Catholic Education: Queensland's Catholic systemic schools operator managing ~140 primary and secondary schools; comparable diocesan funding model and Catholic identity education offering at a much larger scale.
• Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS): Victoria's largest Catholic education authority operating 300+ schools across Melbourne and regional Victoria; comparable diocesan/systemic Catholic school operator with substantially larger scale.

Direct peers

• Catholic Schools Broken Bay: NSW Catholic diocesan education system administering primary and secondary schools on the Northern Beaches and North Shore; comparable Catholic diocesan school network structure though more urban.
• Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst: Neighbouring NSW Catholic diocesan education office administering primary and secondary schools across central western NSW; directly comparable in mission, funding model, and rural-remote footprint.
• Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta: Large NSW Catholic diocesan education office operating primary and secondary schools across greater western Sydney; same diocesan school model though serving a more urban and denser footprint.
• Diocese of Wagga Wagga Catholic Schools: NSW Catholic diocesan education system serving rural and regional communities in the Riverina and southern NSW; directly comparable in scale, funding model, and Catholic primary school network structure.

Others

• NSW Department of Education: The state government school system across NSW that competes for enrolments with Catholic schools, particularly in rural and remote Western NSW where CEWF operates; relevant competitive reference but not a Catholic operator.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CathEdWilForbes
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9HBR2rgRfOFghemkXevCqw
• Facebookfacebook.com/wilcanniaforbes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diocese-of-wilcannia-forbes
• Instagraminstagram.com/wfcatholiceducation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes