The Melbourne school landscape
Melbourne is famous for its prestigious independent schools. Wesley College, Caulfield Grammar, Methodist Ladies' College (MLC), Mount Scopus, Trinity Grammar, and Geelong Grammar (boarding, 60 km away) are all heritage Australian-curriculum schools that offer IB DP alongside the VCE. Lycée Marcel Marceau, German School Melbourne, and Victorian School of Languages serve specific national communities. Melbourne's free Victorian public schools include selective entry options like Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson Girls'.
Melbourne's school market is unusually IB-heavy for Australia: many independent schools run dual VCE/IB DP pathways at sixth form, giving families flexibility for Australian or international university paths.
VCE vs IB DP in Melbourne?
The Victorian Certificate of Education is the local pathway; IB DP suits internationally mobile families. Many Melbourne schools offer both. Our guide compares.
Most popular neighbourhoods for families
Toorak, South Yarra and Armadale are the heart of expat family Melbourne with Wesley College and many heritage independents nearby. Caulfield, Camberwell and Kew host MLC, Caulfield Grammar and Mount Scopus. Brighton and Sandringham are coastal family suburbs near Brighton Grammar. Werribee hosts the German School Melbourne.
