Victorian SEHS Schools Guide
Quick answer
Quick answerVictoria has four government selective entry high schools (SEHS) that enrol high-achieving students in Year 9 via a single ACER-administered entrance examination. Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson Girls' are single-sex schools with long traditions; Nossal and Suzanne Cory are co-educational campuses opened in 2010 and 2011. All four are free to attend once enrolled. This guide compares the four campuses on location, intake, academic profile and admission caps so families can see how each school differs before listing preferences on the application.
Schools
| School | Location | Gender | Established | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne High School | South Yarra, Melbourne | Boys | 1905 | VCE median study score 35+; strong STEM and co-curricular programs |
| Mac.Robertson Girls' High School | Melbourne CBD | Girls | 1934 | VCE median study score 35+; STEM and humanities focus |
| Nossal High School | Berwick, south-east Melbourne | Co-educational | 2010 | VCE median study score 33+; project-based learning on a purpose-built campus |
| Suzanne Cory High School | Werribee, west Melbourne | Co-educational | 2011 | VCE median study score 31+; IB Diploma option available |
Frequently asked questions
- What are the four Victorian selective entry high schools?
- Victoria has four government SEHS campuses: Melbourne High School (boys, South Yarra), Mac.Robertson Girls' High School (girls, Melbourne CBD), Nossal High School (co-educational, Berwick) and Suzanne Cory High School (co-educational, Werribee). All enrol students in Year 9 via the same ACER-administered entrance examination.
- What is the 4% admission cap rule?
- A maximum of 4% of students from any one secondary or senior secondary school may receive a standard offer to a given SEHS campus. For example, if a school has 200 Year 8 students, at most eight from that school can receive offers to a single SEHS (4% of 200). Selection is competitive within each feeder school as well as statewide.
- What is the 10% admission cap rule?
- No more than 10% of prospective students from schools offering Prep to Year 9 may be accepted into selective schools. This applies to schools with broader year groups. For example, a Prep–Year 9 school with 150 Year 8 students can have up to 15 students receive offers (10% of 150).
- Who is exempt from the 4% and 10% caps?
- Equity-category offers (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families holding eligible concession cards), consideration category students and fee-paying international students are subject to separate allocation rules. Confirm current policy with the Victorian Department of Education each year.
- How do I choose between the four SEHS schools?
- There is no single best campus — the right choice depends on your child's interests, daily commute and whether a single-sex or co-educational environment suits them. Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson historically draw the most competitive cohorts; Nossal and Suzanne Cory offer co-educational settings in outer Melbourne. Visit open days where possible and list schools in genuine preference order on the application.
- How competitive is SEHS entry?
- Approximately 5,000–6,000 students apply annually for around 1,000 places across all four schools. SEHS uses competitive ranking, not a fixed pass mark, so balanced performance across all five test components matters more than excelling in one area alone.
Prepare for Victorian SEHS entry
Our SEHS preparation programme covers all five ACER test components with timed practice, vocabulary work and writing feedback across a structured year-long plan.
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