School Catchment Property Prices Soar—Why Stafford is Still a Smart Buy

For families looking to secure a spot in one of Brisbane’s top school catchments without breaking the bank, Stafford is emerging as a viable option. Stafford offers one of the most affordable entry points into highly ranked school zones, with a typical three-bedroom house in the Kedron State High School catchment costing around $1.1 million.


Read: Then and Now: Waldheim, the Stephen Family’s Homestead in Annerley


Rising Property Prices in Top School Zones

New research from property firm PRD highlights the growing financial challenge of buying in Brisbane’s best-performing school areas. 

school catchment
Photo credit: Google Street View

The data reveals that nearly all suburbs within the top 10 school catchments now have median house prices exceeding $1 million, with some surpassing $2 million. As demand continues to rise and housing supply remains constrained, affordability in these areas is expected to decline further.

The Importance of School Catchments for Buyers

school catchment
Photo credit: Kedron State High School/Google Maps

Families prioritising education are facing tough choices. Many are willing to pay a premium to secure a home in a sought-after school catchment, recognising the long-term benefits of quality education for their children. However, the increasing price tags mean that buyers must either stretch their budgets or explore alternative property options such as units.

Stafford stands out as an entry point for those seeking affordability without compromising on school quality. While the median house price remains high, units in the area provide a more accessible option. For families unable to afford a standalone house, purchasing a unit could be a strategic move to gain access to Kedron State High and other reputable schools.


Read: Street Spotlight: Mitchell St, Kedron


Market trends suggest that the affordability window may not remain open for long. As more buyers look to Stafford as a cost-effective solution, property prices are likely to rise. Those considering purchasing in the area may need to act quickly before the market shifts further out of reach.

With Brisbane’s property market continuing to evolve, Stafford presents a rare opportunity for families to invest in a top school catchment without spending millions. As demand increases, securing a home in this suburb could be a smart long-term investment for families focused on education and future growth.

Published 22-March-2025

Kedron State School to Get New Learning Centre

With $4-million funding from the Education Department, Kedron State School is set to get a new three-storey learning centre.

With this new learning centre, Kedron Tree House, the school will be able to increase its capacity as more students are expected to enrol in the school in the coming years.

Aside from the “tree house”, the multi-million allocation will also cover the cost of a covered link between the new building and the school, a new hire building to decant classes, the removal of existing temporary hire buildings on the oval and tennis courts, and the refurbishment of current facilities.

Artist’s impression of the Kedron Tree House. Photo credit: kedronss.eq.edu.au

Initial prep work that will facilitate the construction of the new building has already started in the early weeks of August 2018. Once the proposed design for the Kedron Tree House is approved, full-scale construction is set to begin later in the year.

Preparations for the construction site will include removal of three classrooms at the end of the term. With this, classes will be relocated to a temporary classroom located on the school tennis court and tennis coaching lessons will be conducted at the local tennis courts a short walk from school.

The Kedron Tree House is anticipated to be completed by 2020.

Preparing for 2020

Kedron State School is not the only one getting an upgrade in preparation for 2020. Kedron State High receives $5.1 million funding under the government’s “2020 Ready” Program. The funds will be used to to build a new two-storey learning centre with additional classrooms, a union kitchen, and an industrial kitchen.


Read: Kedron State High School Receives Over $5 Million For ‘2020 Ready Program’


Kedron State High School Receives Over $5 Million For ‘2020 Ready Program’

Kedron State High is set to benefit from the State Government’s $250 million budget for the ‘2020 Ready Program.’

The program’ is helping schools across the state to build more infrastructure to accommodate the influx of students come 2020.

Kedron State High will be getting $5.1 million in funds, which will be used to build a new two-storey learning centre with additional classrooms, a union kitchen, and an industrial kitchen.

Other high schools that will receive funds from the ‘2020 Ready Program’ include:

  • Albany Creek SHS
  • Alexandra Hills SHS
  • Beenleigh SHS
  • Bremer SHS
  • Bribie Island SHS
  • Caboolture SHS
  • Cairns SHS
  • Cavendish Road SHS
  • Centenary Heights SHS
  • Centenary SHS
  • Chancellor State College
  • Cleveland District SHS
  • Coolum SHS
  • Ferny Grove SHS
  • Flagstone State Community College
  • Forest Lake SHS
  • Glenala SHS
  • Harristown SHS
  • Helensvale SHS
  • Highfields State Secondary College
  • Indooroopilly SHS
  • Ipswich State High School
  • James Nash SHS
  • Kawana Waters State College
  • Kedron SHS
  • Kelvin Grove State College
  • Laidley SHS
  • Lowood SHS
  • Mackay Northern Beaches SHS
  • Mansfield SHS
  • Maroochydore SHS
  • Marsden SHS
  • Meridan State College
  • Mount Gravatt SHS
  • Mountain Creek SHS
  • North Lakes State College
  • Ormeau Woods SHS
  • Pacific Pines SHS
  • Palm Beach-Currumbin SHS
  • Park Ridge SHS
  • Pimlico SHS
  • Pimpama State Secondary College
  • Proserpine SHS
  • Rochedale SHS
  • Southport SHS
  • Springfield Central SHS
  • Stretton State College
  • Sunshine Beach SHS
  • Tamborine Mountain SHS
  • The Gap SHS
  • Toolooa SHS
  • Trinity Bay SHS
  • Varsity College
  • Windaroo Valley SHS
  • Wynnum SHS
  • Yeppoon SHS

Education Minister Grace Grace said that the funds will accommodate additional students in the state’s high schools in 2020 following the two education reforms that took place in the past years.

“This funding is a major boost and it will mean more than $470 million has been invested by this Government over the period 2017-18 to 2019-20 to increase the capacity of our state secondary schools,” she said.