Melbourne High School is Victoria's selective entry government school for boys, teaching Years 9 to 12 in South Yarra. Boys enter in Year 9 through the statewide selective entry exam, sat in June of Year 8. Applications for Year 9 entry in 2028 open in March 2027.
Melbourne High at a glance
| Location | Forrest Hill, South Yarra |
| Students | About 1,400 boys, Years 9 to 12 |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Year 9 intake | About 330 to 340 boys (336 for 2024) |
| 2025 VCE median study score | 36 |
| 2025 study scores of 40+ | 29.9% |
| Fees | None (government school) |
How Year 9 entry works
Melbourne High shares one entry process with the other three selective entry high schools: Mac.Robertson Girls', Nossal and Suzanne Cory.
- Apply to sit the exam through the statewide selective entry process. For 2028 entry, applications open in March 2027.
- Choose your school preferences. Your son lists the selective schools he wants to attend.
- Sit the selective entry exam in June of Year 8. It's run by ACER. For 2027 entry it was held on Saturday 20 June 2026.
- Receive an offer based on exam rank and preferences. Offers are made in rounds until all places are filled.
The exam covers reading comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and written expression. Read our Victorian selective entry exam guide and writing test guide.
How places are offered
- 85% of places are offered on exam rank.
- The rest are offered through equity and principal's discretion categories. Melbourne High reserves 17 places in its equity category.
- No more than 4% of any one school's Year 8 students can be offered places across the four selective schools combined. That means a very strong cohort from one school can limit offers.
Year 10 and 11 entry
Melbourne High offers a small number of places at Year 10 and Year 11, depending on vacancies. This is run by the school itself, not the statewide exam, and has its own application process and dates. Check the school's enrolment page each year.
Key dates
| Step | Timing |
|---|---|
| Principal's information evening | March (18 March in 2026) |
| Applications for Year 9 open | March of Year 8 |
| Applications close | Early May of Year 8 (2 May in 2025) |
| Selective entry exam | June of Year 8 |
| Offers | From Term 3 of Year 8, in rounds |
| Start at Melbourne High | Term 1 of Year 9 |
See our exam dates guide for the 2028 cycle.
Is Melbourne High right for your son?
Melbourne High suits boys who:
- want a demanding, academic, all-boys environment
- are self-motivated, because the pace is fast
- can manage the travel, since most students commute 30 to 60 minutes
- want strong co-curricular options, including rowing, debating and music
Compare it with the co-ed options, Nossal and Suzanne Cory, and read how the four schools compare. Melbourne High's sister school for girls is Mac.Robertson Girls' High School.
If your son misses out on Year 9, John Monash Science School offers 200 Year 10 places for students passionate about science and maths. See our guide to selective schools in Melbourne.
How to prepare
Most successful applicants start preparing in Year 7. The exam rewards reasoning skills that aren't taught directly at school.
- Year 7: build reading stamina, vocabulary and mental maths. Learn the verbal and quantitative reasoning question types.
- Early Year 8: timed practice in each section; one writing piece a week.
- Last 8 weeks: full practice exams in test conditions, then review every mistake.
Our Victorian selective entry practice tests are coming soon. Join the waitlist to hear when they're live. Meanwhile, our EduTest practice tests build the same verbal and numerical reasoning skills.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get into Melbourne High School? Through the Victorian selective entry exam in June of Year 8, for entry in Year 9.
How many students get into Melbourne High each year? About 330 to 340 boys enter Year 9. The school selected 336 for 2024 entry.
Is Melbourne High School free? Yes. It's a government school.
Can girls attend Melbourne High? No. Mac.Robertson Girls' High School is the girls' equivalent. Nossal and Suzanne Cory are co-ed.
Does Melbourne High have Year 7? No. Melbourne High teaches Years 9 to 12 only.
Sources: Melbourne High School enrolment pages (mhs.vic.edu.au); Victorian Government, selective entry high schools; VCAA 2025 VCE results as compiled by School Explorer.