Victoria's 4 Selective Entry High Schools Compared

Victoria has four selective entry high schools: two single-sex schools close to the CBD and two co-ed schools in the outer suburbs. All four use the same Year 9 entrance exam and take students from anywhere in the state. The main differences are location and whether the school is single-sex or co-ed.

At a glance

Together they offer about 1,000 Year 9 places a year. None is zoned.

What is the same at all four

• One exam. The Year 9 entrance exam is the same for every school. You sit it once and list up to three schools.
• Government schools. No private school tuition fees.
• Same selection rules. 85% of places on exam rank, up to 10% equity, up to 5% principal discretion, and a 4% cap on offers from any one Year 8 school.

Full exam details: Victorian Selective Entry High School Exam: Complete Guide.

How the schools differ

Melbourne High School is the boys' school, in South Yarra. For Year 10, it selects at least 26 students through an EduTest exam, and the 4% rule and principal discretion do not apply at that level.

Mac.Rob is the girls' school, on Kings Way next to Albert Park and close to the CBD. Year 10 and 11 entry is by EduTest exam, application, shortlist and interview. More: Mac.Robertson Girls' High School Entry Guide.

Nossal High School is co-ed, in Berwick in Melbourne's south-east. Year 10 and 11 places depend on vacancies. Students who sit the exam go on a waiting list and are invited to interview when a place opens.

Suzanne Cory High School is co-ed, in Werribee in Melbourne's west. Year 10 and 11 entry is through the shared EduTest exam.

More on both co-ed schools: Suzanne Cory and Nossal High School Entry Guide.

How to choose your three preferences

You get an offer only for the highest preference your child qualifies for, and offers can't be swapped. So the order matters.

1. Start with your child, not the ranking. Think about travel time, single-sex or co-ed, and what they need outside class.
2. Check the daily trip. A school two hours away each day costs study and sleep time over four years.
3. List every school you would genuinely accept. An unlisted school can't make you an offer.
4. Put your real first choice first. Preference order doesn't change your child's exam rank. It only decides which offer they receive.

Accepting a lower-preference offer doesn't stop a later offer from a higher preference, if a place opens.

From Jon: Start with your child, not the school. Would they thrive in a purely academic school, or do they need strong extracurricular activities, and do those need particular facilities? Knowing that helps a lot when you order your preferences. Think about future aspirations too. It may be early, but some children already show what they want to do later in life. Choosing a school that fits that path helps them navigate it earlier on.

Frequently asked questions

What are the selective schools in Victoria? Melbourne High School, The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Nossal High School and Suzanne Cory High School.

Which Victorian selective school is the best? There is no official ranking. All four select from the same exam. The best choice depends on your child's needs, gender and travel time.

Can my child apply to all four? A student can list up to three schools. Single-sex schools accept only boys (Melbourne High) or girls (Mac.Rob), so a student's realistic options are three of the four.

Is John Monash Science School a selective entry school? No. John Monash Science School uses its own entry process from Year 10 and is not one of the four selective entry high schools.

Sources

• Selective entry high schools, Victorian Government
• Specialism schools and programs, Victorian Department of Education
• ACER: Apply
• Melbourne High School: Enrol
• Mac.Rob: Who can enrol
• Nossal High School: Year 10 and 11 enrolment
• John Monash Science School: Student enrolment

Facts checked against official sources on 31 October 2026.