The Melbourne school context

Melbourne's school market is structured around the "Associated Public Schools" (APS) and "Associated Grammar Schools" (AGSV) networks of elite independents. Most expat families choose between these and a small cluster of dedicated international or IB-anchored schools. VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) is the dominant secondary qualification, with most schools offering IB Diploma alongside.

The 2026 top 10

1

Scotch College

VCE + IBHawthornAUD 38K to 44KPre-K-12

Australia's oldest secondary school (founded 1851). All-boys. Outstanding VCE and IB Diploma outcomes. Strong sport and music programmes. Hawthorn campus.

2

Methodist Ladies' College (MLC)

VCE + IBKewAUD 36K to 42KPre-K-12

Premier all-girls Melbourne independent. Strong VCE and IB Diploma outcomes. Kew location with strong eastern-suburbs catchment.

3

Wesley College

VCE + IBSt Kilda RoadAUD 36K to 42KPre-K-12

Co-educational independent with multiple campuses. Strong VCE and IB outcomes. Distinctive "Round Square" international programme. St Kilda Road, Glen Waverley and Elsternwick campuses.

4

Geelong Grammar School

IBCorio (boarding)AUD 50K to 65KPre-K-12

Australia's most prestigious boarding school. Pure IB Diploma. Strong UK and US university pipeline alongside Australian Group of Eight. Corio campus 90 minutes from Melbourne, with day and boarding options.

5

Melbourne Grammar School

VCE + IBSouth YarraAUD 38K to 43KPre-K-12

All-boys independent (founded 1858). Strong VCE outcomes, IB option. South Yarra location with central Melbourne access.

6

Haileybury College

VCE + IBKeysboroughAUD 35K to 42KPre-K-12

Co-educational independent with multiple campuses. Particularly strong international cohort. Keysborough main campus with East Brighton and Berwick alternatives.

7

Trinity Grammar School

VCEKewAUD 36K to 42KPre-K-12

All-boys independent. Strong VCE outcomes alongside excellent music programmes. Kew location with strong eastern-suburbs catchment.

8

Lauriston Girls' School

VCE + IBArmadaleAUD 35K to 42KPre-K-12

All-girls independent. Strong VCE and IB outcomes. Armadale location with premium central catchment.

9

International School of Suzhou Singapore - Melbourne campus

IB + CambridgeCarltonAUD 30K to 38KK-12

Dedicated international school with IB Diploma and Cambridge IGCSE. Carlton location, central Melbourne access. Strong cohort balance, multinational student body.

10

Carey Baptist Grammar School

VCE + IBKewAUD 35K to 41KPre-K-12

Co-educational Christian independent. Strong VCE and IB Diploma outcomes. Kew location, family-friendly. Strong primary years particularly.

Neighbourhoods

  • Toorak / South Yarra: Melbourne Grammar, Wesley. Premium central residential.
  • Hawthorn / Kew: Scotch, MLC, Carey, Trinity. Established eastern-suburbs hub.
  • Brighton / Hampton: Haileybury East Brighton, Wesley Elsternwick. Bayside, family-friendly.
  • Armadale / Malvern: Lauriston. Inner east-suburbs premium.

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