Best Suburbs with Good Schools in Melbourne 2025
Melbourne is home to some of Australia's highest-performing schools, with the top-rated government school — Balwyn High School — earning an AU Guide score of 91.5 out of 100 based on 2025 VCE results. Across the city, 8 government secondary colleges score above 80, and suburbs hosting these schools range in median house price from approximately $1.2M (Vermont) to approximately $2.3M (Balwyn North). AU Guide tracks over 530 Victorian schools with complete VCE data — this report identifies the best suburbs for families who prioritise education, backed by verified data from the VCAA, ABS Census, and Crime Statistics Agency Victoria.
Key Findings
- The top 2 government schools — Balwyn High School (91.5) and Glen Waverley Secondary College (91.4) — are in suburbs with 32–38% Chinese-Australian population (ABS Census 2021)
- The most affordable suburb with a top-8 government school is Vermont (median house approximately $1.2M, AU Guide score 81.5)
- Six of eight top public school suburbs have crime rates below the VIC state average of 6,810 per 100,000 (CSA Victoria, September 2025)
- Including selective schools, VCE median study scores range from 31 to 37, with the strongest results from selective-entry schools: Mac.Robertson (median 37, AU Guide 99.3), Nossal High (median 37, score 96.4), Melbourne High (median 36, score 96.2)
- Median house prices across top school suburbs range from approximately $1.2M to approximately $2.3M, offering options at multiple budget levels
Top Government Schools and Their Suburbs
Government schools with catchment zones are the most relevant for families choosing a suburb — your address determines access. Here are the top 8 non-selective government secondary schools in Melbourne and the suburbs they serve.
| Rank | School | Suburb | VCE Median | 40+ % | AU Guide Score | Median House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balwyn High School | Balwyn North | 33 | 19.2% | 91.5 | ~$2.3M |
| 2 | Glen Waverley Secondary College | Glen Waverley | 33 | 14.7% | 91.4 | ~$1.6M |
| 3 | McKinnon Secondary College | McKinnon | 33 | 12.5% | 87.4 | ~$1.9M |
| 4 | East Doncaster Secondary College | Doncaster East | 32 | 11.6% | 86.9 | ~$1.5M |
| 5 | Box Hill High School | Box Hill | 32 | 11.7% | 86.2 | ~$1.7M |
| 6 | Koonung Secondary College | Mont Albert North | 32 | 8.8% | 82.0 | ~$1.9M |
| 7 | Kew High School | Kew East | 31 | 10.3% | 81.8 | N/A |
| 8 | Vermont Secondary College | Vermont | 32 | 7.6% | 81.5 | ~$1.2M |
VCE data: 2025 results. AU Guide Score: How We Score VIC Schools. Property data: Domain.
Top Private and Catholic Schools
For families considering non-government options, Melbourne's private schools deliver the highest raw VCE results. These schools do not have catchment zones — admission is based on application, interviews, and sometimes testing.
| School | Suburb | Sector | Gender | VCE Median | 40+ % | AU Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Grammar School | Melbourne | Independent | Boys | 36 | 29.3% | 97.1 |
| Haileybury College | Keysborough | Independent | Co-ed | 36 | 31.2% | 97.0 |
| Mount Scopus Memorial College | Burwood | Independent | Co-ed | 36 | 25.5% | 96.1 |
| Presbyterian Ladies' College | Burwood | Independent | Girls | 35 | 24.1% | 95.9 |
| Huntingtower School | Mount Waverley | Independent | Co-ed | 36 | 27.7% | 95.9 |
| Camberwell Girls Grammar | Canterbury | Independent | Girls | 36 | 27.5% | 95.5 |
| Methodist Ladies' College | Kew | Independent | Girls | 35 | 23.2% | 95.1 |
| Fintona Girls' School | Balwyn | Independent | Girls | 35 | 26.8% | 94.3 |
Most of Melbourne's top private schools are concentrated in the inner-east suburbs (Kew, Canterbury, Balwyn, Burwood), with median house prices ranging from approximately $1.6M (Mount Waverley) to approximately $4.2M (Canterbury). Families accessing private schools have more flexibility in suburb choice since catchment zones do not apply.
School Suburbs by Budget
For families where the budget dictates the choice, here is how the best school suburbs stack up by median house price.
Under $1.5M
Vermont (median house approximately $1.2M) offers Vermont Secondary College (AU Guide 81.5, VCE median 32). The suburb has a 23.4% Chinese-Australian population (ABS Census 2021), a crime rate of 3,348 per 100,000 (CSA 2025) — approximately 51% below the VIC average — and sits approximately 42 km from the CBD with a transit time of approximately 56 minutes. This is the most affordable entry into a top-8 government school suburb in Melbourne, though the longer commute suits families who work locally or remotely.
Doncaster East (median house approximately $1.5M) is home to East Doncaster Secondary College (AU Guide 86.9, VCE median 32). It has a strong Chinese-Australian community at 38.0% and the lowest crime rate among the top school suburbs at 2,422 per 100,000 — approximately 64% below the VIC average. Located approximately 23 km from the CBD.
$1.5M – $2.0M
Glen Waverley (median house approximately $1.6M) hosts the #2 government school, Glen Waverley Secondary College (AU Guide 91.4, VCE median 33, 14.7% scoring 40+). With a 38.0% Chinese-Australian population and its own train station, it offers the best combination of school quality, community, and transport at this price point. Crime rate: 5,232 per 100,000, approximately 23% below the VIC average. Located approximately 26 km from the CBD.
Box Hill (median house approximately $1.7M) has Box Hill High School (AU Guide 86.2) and Victoria's highest Chinese-Australian population at 46.6%. It also has a train station with approximately 33-minute transit to the CBD. Note the higher crime rate (13,029 per 100,000) due to its role as a major commercial hub.
McKinnon (median house approximately $1.9M) is home to McKinnon Secondary College (AU Guide 87.4, VCE median 33), one of the largest and most consistently high-performing government schools with 2,872 students. McKinnon has a train station with approximately 34-minute transit to the CBD and a crime rate of 3,039 per 100,000 (CSA Victoria).
Over $2.0M
Balwyn North (median house approximately $2.3M) is the home of Victoria's #1 government school, Balwyn High School (AU Guide 91.5, VCE median 33, 19.2% scoring 40+). The suburb has a 32.0% Chinese-Australian population and a crime rate of 2,869 per 100,000 — approximately 58% below the VIC average. Located approximately 15 km from the CBD, though transit time is approximately 51 minutes due to bus-only public transport.
The premium inner-east suburbs of Kew (approximately $2.7M), Balwyn (approximately $3.1M), and Canterbury (approximately $4.2M) offer proximity to top private schools like Methodist Ladies' College, Fintona Girls' School, and Camberwell Girls Grammar, but are priced for families who can afford both premium property and private school fees.
Safety and Community Profile
Safety varies significantly across school suburbs. Here is how the top school suburbs compare on crime rate, community profile, and transport access. The VIC state average crime rate is 6,810 per 100,000 (CSA Victoria, September 2025).
| Suburb | Crime Rate (/100K) | vs VIC Avg | Chinese % | Distance to CBD | Train Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doncaster East | 2,422 | -64% | 38.0% | ~23 km | No |
| Mont Albert North | 2,746 | -60% | 24.6% | ~19 km | No |
| Balwyn North | 2,869 | -58% | 32.0% | ~15 km | No |
| McKinnon | 3,039 | -55% | 17.0% | ~17 km | Yes |
| Vermont | 3,348 | -51% | 23.4% | ~42 km | No |
| Balwyn | 4,661 | -32% | 34.4% | ~15 km | No |
| Mount Waverley | 4,714 | -31% | 26.7% | ~22 km | Yes |
| Glen Waverley | 5,232 | -23% | 38.0% | ~26 km | Yes |
| Box Hill | 13,029 | +91% | 46.6% | ~21 km | Yes |
Crime data: CSA Victoria, September 2025. Chinese %: ABS Census 2021.
All of the top school suburbs except Box Hill have crime rates below the state average. Doncaster East stands out as the safest (2,422 per 100,000) while also having one of the highest Chinese-Australian populations (38.0%). For families who prioritise both safety and academic quality, Doncaster East and Balwyn North offer the strongest combined profiles.
What This Means for Families
Best value: education quality per dollar
- Vermont (approximately $1.2M) — AU Guide score 81.5, safe (3,348/100K, CSA), 23.4% Chinese-Australian community (ABS). Best entry price for a top-8 government school suburb, though further from the CBD (approximately 42 km)
- Doncaster East (approximately $1.5M) — AU Guide score 86.9, safest suburb on the list (2,422/100K, CSA), 38.0% Chinese-Australian community (ABS). Outstanding value combining school quality and safety
- Glen Waverley (approximately $1.6M) — AU Guide score 91.4, train station, 38.0% Chinese-Australian community (ABS). Highest school quality at a moderate price
Best academics: highest school performance
- Balwyn North (approximately $2.3M) — Balwyn High School, AU Guide score 91.5, 19.2% scoring 40+, the top-ranked non-selective government school in Victoria
- Glen Waverley (approximately $1.6M) — Glen Waverley Secondary College, AU Guide score 91.4, 14.7% scoring 40+
Best for Chinese-Australian families: community and schools
- Box Hill — 46.6% Chinese-Australian (ABS Census), AU Guide score 86.2. Strongest community presence, but higher crime rate (13,029/100K, CSA)
- Glen Waverley — 38.0% Chinese-Australian (ABS), AU Guide score 91.4. Best combination of school quality and Chinese-Australian community
- Doncaster East — 38.0% Chinese-Australian (ABS), AU Guide score 86.9. Safest option with strong Chinese-Australian community
Explore all VIC suburbs and school data on AU Guide VIC Suburbs and AU Guide VIC School Rankings.
FAQ
What is the best government school in Melbourne?
Balwyn High School in Balwyn North holds the top AU Guide score of 91.5 among non-selective government schools, with a VCE median study score of 33 and 19.2% of students scoring 40+ on at least one subject (2025 VCE data). Glen Waverley Secondary College is a close second at 91.4. Among all public schools including selective-entry, MacRobertson Girls High School leads at 99.3.
Which suburb has the best schools for the lowest price?
Vermont has a median house price of approximately $1.2M and is home to Vermont Secondary College (AU Guide 81.5, VCE median 32). For a higher-ranked school at a moderate price, Doncaster East (approximately $1.5M) offers East Doncaster Secondary College (AU Guide 86.9). Glen Waverley (approximately $1.6M) provides access to the second-highest-rated government school (AU Guide 91.4).
Do I need to live in the suburb to attend the local government school?
You need to live within the school's designated neighbourhood area (catchment zone), which may not exactly match suburb boundaries. Check your address at findmyschool.vic.gov.au. Living in the catchment zone guarantees enrolment; out-of-zone students are accepted only if there is capacity.
Which school suburbs have the largest Chinese-Australian communities?
Box Hill has the highest Chinese-Australian population at 46.6% (ABS Census 2021), followed by Glen Waverley and Doncaster East at 38.0% each, Balwyn at 34.4%, and Balwyn North at 32.0%. All five suburbs have government schools scoring above 86 on the AU Guide scale.
Are the safest suburbs also the best for schools?
There is strong overlap. Doncaster East has both the lowest crime rate (2,422 per 100,000, 64% below the VIC average of 6,810, CSA Victoria) and a top-5 government school (AU Guide 86.9). Balwyn North combines the #1 government school with a crime rate 58% below average (2,869/100K). The notable exception is Box Hill, which has a top-rated school but a crime rate 91% above the state average due to its commercial hub character.
What about selective-entry schools in Melbourne?
Victoria has four government select-entry high schools: MacRobertson Girls High School (AU Guide 99.3, VCE median 37), Nossal High School (96.4, VCE median 37), Melbourne High School (96.2, VCE median 36), and John Monash Science School (95.6, VCE median 35). These admit students by exam, not address — so your suburb does not matter for selective school access. They offer an alternative pathway for academically strong students regardless of where the family lives.
Data Sources
- VCAA — VCE results data, 2025
- Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (CSA) — Crime rate data, September 2025
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) — Census 2021 population and demographic data
- Domain — Property price data, 2025
- AU Guide VIC School Rankings — AU Guide scores and methodology
- AU Guide VIC Suburbs — Suburb data and profiles