This paper explores the history, mechanisms, and policy settings through which Catholic schooling has preserved school choice in Australia. School choice in Australia depends on three essential conditions: 

1. affordability
2. geographical accessibility and
3. continuous availability. 

This paper argues the Catholic school system (in partnership with governments) has consistently delivered on all three pre-requisites across generations of families. The growth and endurance of Catholic education over the past 200 years has made school choice a consistent reality for Australian parents; in this, Australia’s school system is globally unique.