Victoria is home to plenty of outstanding private schools. While many are located in and around Melbourne, there are top schools across the state. Families pay upwards of $50,000 to send their children to these top establishments.
| Rank | School | Type | 2025 Tuition Fee | Boarding Fee | Founded | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geelong Grammar School | Co-ed Day & Boarding | $52,612 | $88,500 | 1855 | Boarding excellence, outdoor education, and academic reputation |
| 2 | Wesley College | Co-ed Day | $47,574 | - | 1866 | Large multi-campus school, arts and sport, global focus |
| 3 | Melbourne Grammar School | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $44,240 | $34,640 | 1858 | Academic excellence, leadership development, and heritage campus |
| 4 | Scotch College | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $44,520 | $33,900 | 1851 | Historic prestige, rowing tradition, and consistent results |
| 5 | Melbourne Girls Grammar | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $47,524 | - | 1893 | High academic standards, wellbeing, and leadership pathways |
| 6 | St Catherine’s School | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $47,120 | - | 1896 | Performing arts, pastoral care, and academic achievement |
| 7 | Lauriston Girls’ School | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $45,780 | - | 1901 | Innovation, global learning, and music & arts excellence |
| 8 | Haileybury | Co-ed Day & Boarding | $43,160 | $29,850 | 1892 | Multi-campus model, international programs, academic strength |
| 9 | Carey Baptist Grammar School | Co-ed Day | $42,950 | - | 1923 | Service learning, balanced co-education, community ethos |
| 10 | Caulfield Grammar School | Co-ed Day | $41,760 | - | 1881 | Outdoor education, arts & design, high achievement |
| 11 | Mount Scopus Memorial College | Co-ed Day (Jewish Independent) | $41,320 | - | 1949 | Academic strength, culture, and community values |
| 12 | Xavier College | Boys’ Day | $40,940 | - | 1878 | Jesuit philosophy, leadership, debating, and music |
| 13 | St Kevin’s College | Boys’ Day | $40,480 | - | 1918 | Academic excellence, sport, and Catholic values |
| 14 | Camberwell Grammar School | Boys’ Day | $40,220 | - | 1886 | Academic consistency, outdoor education, and music |
| 15 | Brighton Grammar School | Boys’ Day | $39,940 | - | 1882 | Bayside location, sport culture, and wellbeing initiatives |
1. Geelong Grammar School – Corio
Geelong Grammar School has one of the best reputations. It's located on a vast campus in Corio near Geelong, where it offers co-educational boarding education. Here, students can choose between the VCE and the International Baccalaureate, and the school consistently produces good academic results in both. Boarding is still a key part of the Geelong Grammar experience, with families across Australia and overseas sending their children here to one of the country's most expensive schools.
2. Wesley College – St Kilda Road
Wesley College has three Melbourne campuses: St Kilda Road, Glen Waverly, and Elsternwick. The school was founded in 1866 and is one of the city's largest and most dynamic co-educational schools. The co-curricular is a major draw, with music, theatre, and sport all part of school life. Students balance their ambition and well-being, and the college's international programs and social-justice initiatives reinforce global citizenship.
3. Melbourne Grammar School – South Yarra
Melbourne Grammar School was established in 1858 and has long been one of the most respected boys' schools in Australia, though there are many exceptional private schools in NSW, too! The South Yarra campus features heritage buildings and cutting-edge facilities. Consistently ranking among Victoria's best, Melbourne Grammar School focuses on qualities like leadership, service, and integrity. For parents looking for academic challenge and moral purpose, MGS sets the bar very high.
4. Scotch College – Hawthorn
Scoth College is one of Melbourne's oldest and most distinguished boys' schools. It's known for its world-class learning, sports, and arts facilities. Exceptional academic outcomes in the VCE and a strong rowing and athletics program have helped Scotch College build its reputation.
5. Melbourne Girls Grammar – South Yarra
Melbourne Girls Grammar is a leader in girls' education. It's located in South Yarra overlooking the Yarra River and combines tradition with contemporary learning. It combines a strong well-being program that supports balance and resilience with a strong curriculum. With small classes and outstanding teachers, students consistently achieve excellent VCE results, and families choose Melbourne Girls Grammar for its mix of challenge, care, and community.
6. St Catherine’s School – Toorak
St Catherine's School is located in the heart of Toorak. Established in 1896, this is still one of Melbourne's most respected independent girls' schools. The focus at St Catherine's is to help each student reach her potential with structured academic programs and pastoral support. For families seeking excellence and care, St Catherine's is among the finest.
7. Lauriston Girls’ School – Armadale
Lauriston Girls' School was founded in 1901. For over a century, it has had a reputation for innovation and independence in girls' education. The Armadale campus promotes curiosity and global awareness through programs combining rigorous study and creativity. Lauriston offers both VCE and IB pathways, which is common with Queensland's top private schools, too, replacing the VCE with QCE, obviously. Lauriston Girls' School's results regularly place it among Victoria's top schools.
8. Haileybury – Keysborough
Haileybury is one of Australia's largest independent schools. It operates multiple campuses across Melbourne (Keysborough, Brighton, Berwick, and the Melbourne City campus). The school has a model of parallel education with single-gender classes on a co-ed campus. The school regularly ranks among the state's highest performers. Beyond the classroom, its international programs in Asia and the UK provide students with a global dimension to learning.
9. Carey Baptist Grammar School – Kew
Carey Baptist Grammar School blends ambition and Christian values. Established in 1923, it is one of Melbourne's most inclusive independent schools. Students are encouraged to lead through service, teamwork, and empathy, as seen in the school's social-impact initiatives. Academically, the school achieves strong VCE results and displays excellence in music, sport, and outdoor education.
10. Caulfield Grammar School – St Kilda East
Caulfield Grammar School has campuses in St Kilda East and Wheelers Hill. It combines scale, diversity, and a strong academic tradition, having been founded in 1881. The school boasts exceptional outdoor education, which WA's most expensive schools also emphasise. Academically, Caulfield has outstanding results, which are achieved with small class sizes, specialist teaching, and comprehensive VCE options.
11. Mount Scopus Memorial College – Burwood
Mount Scopus Memorial College is Australia's leading Jewish independent school. It combines rigorous academics with a deep sense of culture and identity. Its rich curriculum integrates Hebrew and Jewish studies with the VCE. The school's senior campus at Burwood boasts state-of-the-art facilities for science, technology, and the arts. However, Scopus is also known for its close-knit community, with teachers and families working together to support students.
12. Xavier College – Kew
Xavier College was founded in 1878. For decades, it has been shaping generations of leaders through Jesuit education, much like some of Adelaide's top schools. With a strong emphasis on faith in action, service, and intellectual engagement, Xavier College achieves excellent academic outcomes. With a broad range of co-curricular options in music, debating, and sport, Xavier values learning and integrity in equal measure.
13. St Kevin’s College – Toorak
St Kevin's College is one of Melbourne's most prominent Catholic boys' schools. It has a strong academic record and combines intellectual challenge with discipline, sport, and creative pursuits. With world-class facilities for science, arts, and athletics, it supports balanced student growth, allowing students to strive for excellence in their studies while nurturing values of respect and service.
14. Camberwell Grammar School – Canterbury
Camberwell Grammar School offers an environment that promotes diligence, integrity, and curiosity. Founded in 1886, the school has since grown into one of the most respected boys' schools in Melbourne. Academic excellence, strong co-curricular engagement, and a friendly community spirit have helped Camberwell find success, with parents often praising its supportive atmosphere and results.
15. Brighton Grammar School – Brighton
Brighton Grammar School was established in 1882. With its unique coastal setting, this school adds a unique dimension to daily school life, emphasising outdoor learning and community participation. The school is known for its inclusive environment that supports boys in academics, sports, and the arts.
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