Public vs Private Schools in Victoria: Results, Fees, and Data
Victoria has 538 secondary schools tracked by AU Guide — 286 government (public), 156 independent, 91 Catholic, and 5 selective-entry. In the 2025 VCE results, the top-scoring government school, Balwyn High School, achieved an AU Guide overall score of 91.50, with a median study score of 33 and 19.2% of students scoring 40+. The top independent school, Melbourne Grammar School, scored 97.10, with a median of 36 and 29.3% scoring 40+. This guide uses 2025 VCE data to compare public and private school performance across multiple dimensions.
Key numbers at a glance: The top 5 government schools average a median study score of 32.6, while the top 5 independent schools average 35.8 — a gap of 3.2 points. Among the top 15 government schools, 100% are co-educational; among the top 15 private schools, 9 are single-sex. Victoria's 5 selective-entry schools (MacRobertson Girls, Melbourne High, Nossal, Suzanne Cory, John Monash Science School) sit in a category of their own, with scores ranging from 91.90 to 99.30.
Overview
Victoria's school system offers families three main pathways: free government schools (which enrol based on catchment zones), fee-paying independent schools, and Catholic schools (which charge lower fees than independents). A small number of selective-entry government schools — notably MacRobertson Girls High School (score 99.30) and Melbourne High School (score 96.20) — accept students based on an entrance exam and are free of tuition fees.
The VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) is the standard Year 12 qualification. Each subject is scored out of 50, and a student's "study score" reflects their performance relative to all other students in that subject. A score of 30 is the median; 40+ places a student in approximately the top 9%. The AU Guide overall score incorporates median study score, the percentage of students scoring 40+, and other academic indicators. Browse the full rankings at AU Guide VIC School Rankings.
Top Government (Public) Schools — 2025 VCE
| Rank | School | Suburb | Type | Enrolment | Median Score | 40+ % | AU Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balwyn High School | Balwyn North | Co-ed | 2,227 | 33 | 19.2% | 91.50 |
| 2 | Glen Waverley Secondary College | Glen Waverley | Co-ed | 2,283 | 33 | 14.7% | 91.40 |
| 3 | McKinnon Secondary College | McKinnon | Co-ed | 2,872 | 33 | 12.5% | 87.40 |
| 4 | East Doncaster Secondary College | Doncaster East | Co-ed | 1,974 | 32 | 11.6% | 86.90 |
| 5 | Box Hill High School | Box Hill | Co-ed | 1,518 | 32 | 11.7% | 86.20 |
| 6 | Melbourne Girls College | Richmond | Girls | 1,451 | 32 | 12.1% | 85.90 |
| 7 | Koonung Secondary College | Mont Albert North | Co-ed | 1,196 | 32 | 8.8% | 82.00 |
| 8 | Kew High School | Kew East | Co-ed | 1,037 | 31 | 10.3% | 81.80 |
| 9 | Vermont Secondary College | Vermont | Co-ed | 1,586 | 32 | 7.6% | 81.50 |
| 10 | Victorian College of the Arts | Southbank | Co-ed | 330 | 33 | 12.4% | 81.10 |
Top Independent and Catholic Schools — 2025 VCE
| Rank | School | Suburb | Sector | Type | Enrolment | Median Score | 40+ % | AU Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne Grammar School | Melbourne | Independent | Boys | 1,856 | 36 | 29.3% | 97.10 |
| 2 | Haileybury College | Keysborough | Independent | Co-ed | 4,849 | 36 | 31.2% | 97.00 |
| 3 | Mount Scopus Memorial College | Burwood | Independent | Co-ed | 1,210 | 36 | 25.5% | 96.10 |
| 4 | Presbyterian Ladies' College | Burwood | Independent | Girls | 1,549 | 35 | 24.1% | 95.90 |
| 5 | Huntingtower School | Mount Waverley | Independent | Co-ed | 752 | 36 | 27.7% | 95.90 |
| 6 | Camberwell Girls Grammar | Canterbury | Independent | Girls | 761 | 36 | 27.5% | 95.50 |
| 7 | Methodist Ladies' College | Kew | Independent | Girls | 2,125 | 35 | 23.2% | 95.10 |
| 8 | Melbourne Girls Grammar | South Yarra | Independent | Girls | 1,048 | 36 | 30.4% | 94.70 |
| 9 | Ruyton Girls' School | Kew | Independent | Girls | 860 | 36 | 30.9% | 94.60 |
| 10 | Loreto Mandeville Hall | Toorak | Catholic | Girls | 1,229 | 36 | 24.7% | 94.50 |
Data source: 2025 VCE results analysed by AU Guide VIC School Rankings.
Selective-Entry Schools — A Category Apart
Victoria's 5 selective-entry schools operate differently from both standard government and private schools. They are free (government-funded) but require students to pass an entrance examination, typically sat in Year 8 for entry into Year 9.
| School | Suburb | Type | Years | Median Score | 40+ % | AU Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacRobertson Girls High School | Melbourne | Girls | Year 9-12 | 37 | 34.7% | 99.30 |
| Nossal High School | Berwick | Co-ed | Year 9-12 | 37 | 32.4% | 96.40 |
| Melbourne High School | South Yarra | Boys | Year 9-12 | 36 | 29.9% | 96.20 |
| John Monash Science School | Clayton | Co-ed | Year 10-12 | 35 | 22.0% | 95.60 |
| Suzanne Cory High School | Werribee | Co-ed | Year 9-12 | 35 | 25.0% | 91.90 |
Selective-entry schools achieve results comparable to top independent schools but charge no fees. MacRobertson Girls (score 99.30) is the highest-scoring school in all of Victoria — public or private. The entrance exam is highly competitive, with far more applicants than places available.
How It Works: Public vs Private Comparison
| Factor | Government (Public) | Independent (Private) | Catholic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Free | $15,000 – $40,000+/year | $5,000 – $15,000/year |
| Enrolment | Catchment zone priority | Application-based | Application, may prefer Catholic families |
| Schools in VIC | 286 | 156 | 91 |
| Top AU Guide score | 91.50 (Balwyn HS) | 97.10 (Melbourne Grammar) | 94.50 (Loreto Mandeville Hall) |
| Avg median score (Top 10) | 32.3 | 35.8 | - |
| Avg 40+ % (Top 10) | 12.1% | 27.4% | - |
| Gender mix (Top 10) | 9 co-ed, 1 girls | 4 co-ed, 5 girls, 1 boys | - |
The Academic Gap
The data shows a clear performance gap between the top government and top independent schools. The top 10 government schools average a median study score of 32.3, while the top 10 independent schools average 35.8 — a difference of 3.5 points. In terms of high achievers, 12.1% of students at top government schools score 40+, compared to 27.4% at top independents — more than double the rate.
However, this gap narrows significantly when selective-entry schools are included as "public": MacRobertson Girls (median 37, 34.7% scoring 40+) and Melbourne High (median 36, 29.9% scoring 40+) outperform most independent schools.
School Size Differences
Top government schools tend to be larger: Balwyn High School has 2,227 students, Glen Waverley Secondary College has 2,283, and McKinnon Secondary College has 2,872. Top independent schools vary more widely, from Huntingtower School (752 students) to Haileybury College (4,849 across campuses). Smaller class sizes are often cited as a private school advantage, though individual school data on class sizes is not publicly available.
Geographic Distribution
The top government schools cluster heavily in Melbourne's eastern suburbs: Balwyn North, Glen Waverley, McKinnon, Doncaster East, Box Hill, and Kew East. Top independent schools are more spread out but concentrate in inner and eastern Melbourne: Melbourne CBD, Keysborough, Burwood, Mount Waverley, Canterbury, Kew, and South Yarra. Explore suburbs and their schools at AU Guide VIC Suburbs.
What This Means for Families
If academic results are the top priority and budget allows
The top independent schools (Melbourne Grammar, Haileybury, Mount Scopus) consistently achieve median study scores of 35-36, with 25-31% of students scoring 40+. These results come with fees typically ranging from $25,000 to $40,000+ per year for Year 12.
If you want top results without fees
Victoria's selective-entry schools offer an exceptional pathway. MacRobertson Girls (score 99.30) outperforms every school in the state — public or private. The catch: entry is exam-based and highly competitive. Families typically invest in tutoring for the entrance exam in Year 8.
If you prefer a zoned government school
Living in the right suburb is essential. Balwyn High School (score 91.50), Glen Waverley Secondary College (score 91.40), and McKinnon Secondary College (score 87.40) are the top three zoned government schools. Demand for housing in their catchment zones directly affects property prices — suburbs like Balwyn North, Glen Waverley, and McKinnon command premium house prices partly because of their school zones.
If value for money matters most
Catholic schools offer a middle ground: lower fees ($5,000-$15,000/year) than independents, with the top performer — Loreto Mandeville Hall in Toorak (score 94.50, median 36) — achieving results on par with elite independents. Several Catholic schools in the 85-90 score range provide strong results at fees well under $15,000/year.
FAQ
Are private schools in Victoria really better than public schools?
On average across the top 10, yes — the top 10 independent schools have an average median study score of 35.8, compared to 32.3 for the top 10 government schools. However, the gap is not uniform. Victoria's selective-entry schools (government, free) include MacRobertson Girls (score 99.30, median 37), which outperforms every private school in the state. And the best zoned government schools like Balwyn High (score 91.50) produce strong results without any fees.
How much do private schools cost in Victoria?
Independent school fees typically range from $15,000 to $40,000+ per year for senior years. Catholic schools are generally $5,000 to $15,000 per year. Government schools are free, though voluntary contributions and subject levies may apply (typically under $1,000/year). Selective-entry government schools are also free.
What are the selective-entry schools in Victoria?
Victoria has 5 selective-entry government schools: MacRobertson Girls High School (score 99.30), Nossal High School (96.40), Melbourne High School (96.20), John Monash Science School (95.60), and Suzanne Cory High School (91.90). Entry requires passing a competitive examination typically sat in Year 8. These schools are tuition-free and consistently rank among the top schools in the state.
Which government school zone should I buy into?
The top 3 zoned government schools are Balwyn High School (Balwyn North, score 91.50), Glen Waverley Secondary College (Glen Waverley, score 91.40), and McKinnon Secondary College (McKinnon, score 87.40). Living within a school's designated neighbourhood boundary gives enrolment priority. Check specific boundaries on the Department of Education's Find My School website.
Do boys or girls have better school options in Victoria?
Girls have more top-tier options: among the 15 highest-scoring schools in Victoria, 8 have girls-only or girls-campus options (MacRobertson Girls 99.30, Melbourne Girls Grammar 94.70, Ruyton Girls' School 94.60, PLC 95.90, Camberwell Girls Grammar 95.50, MLC 95.10, Loreto Mandeville Hall 94.50, Melbourne Girls College 85.90). For boys, Melbourne Grammar (97.10), Melbourne High (96.20 selective), and Knox Grammar-equivalent options are the leading choices.
Is it worth paying for private school in Victoria?
It depends on your specific situation. The data shows that $30,000+/year at a top independent school buys a median study score approximately 3-4 points higher than the best free government schools (35-36 vs 32-33). However, selective-entry schools achieve comparable or better results at no cost. Families should also weigh non-academic factors — facilities, extracurricular programs, networks, and values — which are harder to quantify.
Data Sources
- AU Guide VIC School Rankings — 2025 VCE results analysis and AU Guide overall scores
- VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) — Official VCE results data
- Victorian Department of Education — School information and catchment zones
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) — School enrolment and demographic data