The Melbourne budget tier explained
Victorian state schools are free for permanent residents and citizens, with international students on student visas paying AUD 14,000-19,000 per year. Premier state selective schools (Melbourne High School, MacRobertson Girls High, Suzanne Cory High) deliver outstanding academic outcomes at near-zero cost for residents who pass entrance examinations. Catholic schools with state-integrated funding deliver strong outcomes at AUD 6,000-15,000 per year. Budget independent schools sit at AUD 12,000-22,000. Premium independents (Scotch College, Melbourne Grammar, Geelong Grammar) cost AUD 38,000-52,000+. but the budget tier delivers genuine alternatives.
The 2026 top 6 budget options in Melbourne
Melbourne High School / MacRobertson Girls High School (state selective)
Melbourne's premier state selective schools (boys' Melbourne High, girls' MacRobertson). Free for permanent residents and citizens passing entrance examination. Outstanding academic outcomes. typically among Australia's top schools by university entry. IB Diploma stream alongside VCE pathway. Strong destinations to top Australian and overseas universities. Strongest value option for resident families with academically capable children.
Victorian state schools (free for residents)
Standard Victorian state schools deliver VCE at zero tuition for permanent residents and citizens. Modest "voluntary contributions" of AUD 200-800 per year. Outcomes vary by school. Particularly worth investigating: Glen Waverley Secondary, Balwyn High, Kew High, McKinnon Secondary. all consistently strong-performing state schools.
Catholic Education Melbourne network
Catholic state-integrated schools (Marist Brothers, Christian Brothers, Sisters of Mercy) deliver strong VCE outcomes at modest fees. Strong family community. Particularly attractive for Catholic-foundation families. Notable schools: Xavier College, Genazzano, Loyola College, Marcellin College.
Camberwell Grammar / Methodist Ladies' College (mid-fee independents)
Mid-fee independent schools. Strong cohort outcomes. Fees substantially below premium independent tier. Particularly attractive for families wanting independent school environment without premium fees.
Lycee Francais de Melbourne
AEFE French network school. French national curriculum + French Baccalaureat. Strong cohort outcomes. Particularly attractive for French expat families and Australian-French dual-nationality families. Modest fees with French government subsidy where applicable.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne
Bilingual German-English school. Strong outcomes across both languages. Particularly attractive for German-Australian families and others wanting strong German pathway. Modest fees relative to premium internationals.
What you give up at this fee level
State and state-integrated Melbourne schools deliver strong VCE outcomes but with curriculum less internationally portable than IB Diploma. For globally mobile families, this is a real trade-off. Several state schools (including some selective) offer IB Diploma alongside VCE. worth investigating specifically. For families committed to Australian universities, VCE pathway is often optimal.
The state selective school option
Melbourne High School and MacRobertson Girls' High School are genuinely top-tier academic institutions delivering some of Australia's strongest university outcomes. Entrance is by competitive examination at year 8/9. For academically capable resident children, these schools offer outcomes comparable to premium independents at near-zero cost. Worth investigating specifically. preparation for entrance exam typically required from year 7-8.
The international student fee question
Victorian state schools charge international students on student visas AUD 14,000-19,000 per year. Premium independents charge international students up to AUD 60,000+ per year. For international students, the differential between state and premium independent fees is substantial. state schools offer strong value for international student families. Worth investigating eligibility carefully.
How budget Melbourne compares to budget Sydney
Melbourne's state selective school network (Melbourne High, MacRobertson) is genuinely competitive with Sydney's selective schools (James Ruse, North Sydney Boys). Melbourne's overall state school quality is broadly comparable to Sydney's. Catholic networks in both cities offer similar value at similar fee levels. Both cities have strong state-school options at near-zero cost for residents.
Fee context
Budget Melbourne schools cost AUD 0-22,000 (USD 0-14,500). Premium Melbourne equivalents cost AUD 38,000-52,000 (USD 25,000-34,500). Saving for residents: 70-100%. See our Melbourne city guide.