Melbourne High School — ‘More Than Just Marks’
Most students enter Melbourne High School in Year 9. For these students it will be one of the most significant and exciting events of their lives. Each year the school is rejuvenated with a new intake of enthusiastic young men.
Melbourne High School selects an additional class at Year 10 (26 students). This provides students with high academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to extracurriculars an opportunity to gain a place at the school.
Melbourne High School selects a small number of students to enter in Year 11. This intake is for students with demonstrated excellence in Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities. There is no additional enrolment at Year 12.
Residency Status
Students must be either Australian or New Zealand citizens or a holder of a visa or ImmiCard which exempts them from paying International Student Fees to attend a Victorian government school.
Fee-paying international students enrolled in Victorian schools are not eligible to apply.
Melbourne High School cannot enrol international or temporary students.
Most students enter Melbourne High School in Year 9. For these students it will be one of the most significant and exciting events of their lives. Each year the School is rejuvenated with a new intake of enthusiastic young men.
A centralised selection process, handled by the Department of Education and Training, is used to select students for the following year to commence in year 9 in one of the four Selective Entry Schools: Melbourne High School, The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, Nossal High School in Berwick and Suzanne Cory High School in Werribee.
Please note the Year 9 examination will be administered by an external company. Melbourne High School has no direct control or jurisdiction over the examination process and cannot intervene in any way.
Students are selected based on their results in the year 9 entrance examination which is held in the year preceding enrolment. Approximately 1500 students sitting the entrance examination will have listed Melbourne High School as their first preference school.
Results of the examination are issued by the Department of Education and Training in September and the first round of places are offered at Melbourne High School. Subsequent rounds offering places to successful students are made until all places have been filled. This process continues until the end of the school year.
How to Apply for Year 9
For questions about the exam, please contact ACER on 03 9277 5270 or via email:
To visit the ACER Selective Entry website CLICK HERE
Equity Consideration
Equity consideration helps ensure that all candidates have access to the same opportunities.
Candidates are eligible for a place in the equity consideration category if they:
have parents with either a Commonwealth Health Care Card or a Pension Card, and who qualify for income support benefits, (see Attachment 2 for an example) and/or
identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
Eligibility for the equity consideration category is verified at the application stage.
Order of Preference
Parents/carers must indicate which of the Selective Entry High Schools they would prefer their child to attend in the application.
Up to three school preferences can be listed; however, you may choose to only list one or two schools.
Parents/carers should only list schools they are prepared to accept and would like their child to attend. They should also consider factors such as distance from each school and how their child will travel to school.
The order of preferences is important. Applicants should place the most preferred school as number one. If a candidate qualifies for more than one school, they will only be offered the highest preference for which they qualify.
Offers for one Selective Entry High School are not transferable to another Selective Entry High School.
Examination format
The entrance examination is a written assessment, designed to test ability rather than achievement and will include a focus on higher order thinking skills.
The examination takes approximately three hours to complete and includes:
Reasoning – Reading
Reasoning – Mathematics
General Ability – Verbal
General Ability – Quantitative
Writing
The examination will contain a series of tests including multiple choice questions and written tasks.
Reasoning tasks in Reading and Mathematics assess a student’s ability to use their life and academic knowledge and skills and apply them to problems and tasks using the information provided in the task.
General ability tasks assess a student’s ability to learn in each of the tested areas by allowing the student to demonstrate their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills.
Principal’s Discretionary Category
The maximum number of students admitted into Melbourne High School and The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, Nossal High School and Suzanne Cory High School, combined must not exceed 4% of any one school’s Year 8 enrolment.
The principal of each Selective Entry High School has the authority to offer up to 5% of places under the principal’s discretion category, provided this does not exceed the cap of students from any single school. For enrolment at Melbourne High School, 17 places are reserved for entry in this category.
The Principal identifies from the examination results those candidates who meet the discretionary eligibility and invites them to submit an application under the principal’s discretion category.
Candidates score in the entrance examination is the major criteria and the Principal may consider factors such as twins, siblings of candidates or a pre-existing connection to the School.
An invitation to apply for a principal’s discretion category is not an offer of a place at the school. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed from the applications received and offers of a place are made to successful candidates by the School.
If a candidate accepts an offer at a Selective Entry High School and receives an offer to apply for principal’s discretion at a higher preference school, the candidate can retain the initial offer while the principal’s discretion process is undertaken.
Candidates wishing to respond to an invitation must use the Application Form, provided in the invitational email. Candidates handwrite a personal response outlining reasons for wanting to join the School. Co-curricular involvement and achievements, leadership skills and community involvement should be documented.
Individual compassionate factors that have had a long-term effect on a candidate’s education can be included. Copies of school reports are required.
The decision of the principal is final and is not subject to appeal.
How to Apply for Year 10
Melbourne High School selects a minimum of 26 students to enter Year 10.
The 4% rule and Principal’s Discretionary Category are not applicable for Year 10.
Students must be either Australian citizens or a holder of a permanent resident’s visa, at the time of application. Citizens of New Zealand are also eligible to apply. Melbourne High School cannot enrol international or temporary students.
1. Apply for the Academic Assessment Test to be made online here>>
2. Closing date for Academic Assessment Test is Friday, 30 May 2025. Registrations remain open until Saturday, 31 May 2025, however, a late fee will apply of $270. Strictly no applications will be received after Monday 2 June 2025.
3. The Year 10 Application Form will be emailed to all registered students shortly after registration.
4. Please read the Selection Procedure, Selection Criteria and Guidelines for Application prior to submitting your application form.
5. The Academic Abilities Assessment Test is scheduled to take place at Melbourne High School on Monday, 16 June 2025.
Applications for Year 10 enrolment in 2026 are now closed.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Selection is based on:
- the submission of a completed Application Form (which includes the applicant’s Personal Statement and Selection Criteria responses)
- supporting evidence of significant involvement in co-curricular activities
- submission of recent school reports
- the results of the Academic Abilities Assessment Test to ensure the applicant can keep up with the pace of a Selective Entry School program
- an interview of shortlisted applicants only
All applications are assessed by a School Selection Panel based on the specified criteria.
Application Form
The Application Form comprises of two parts.
1.Personal Handwritten Statement
In their own handwriting, the applicant’s response should detail the reasons why they are seeking enrolment at Melbourne High School and why they feel they should be selected. Other factors relevant to their application may also be included.
2.Response to the Selection Criteria
The applicant’s response should detail and describe evidence of their achievement against each criterion.
Academic Ability Assessment
All applicants are required to sit the Year 10 Academic Ability Assessment conducted on behalf of the School by EduTest. Unlike the Year 9 entry, this assessment is neither used as the key indicator of academic achievement nor as the main determinant of offers.
Interview
All short-listed applicants are interviewed by a School Selection Panel. Following interviews, the Selection Panel ranks all short-listed applicants, and positions are offered by the school strictly according to this rank order. Please note that the principal’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Selection Criteria
1.Co-curricular Achievement
Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate significant achievement in one or more areas of co-curricular involvement such as sport, music, debating, and performing arts.
2.School and Community Leadership
Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate a record of leadership at secondary school level or within the broader community. It is expected that applicants can demonstrate a high level of achievement against each criterion, however applicants are still considered where this is not the case.
3.Academic Achievement
Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate a record of outstanding academic achievement at secondary school level.
Supporting Documentation
Applicants should provide sufficient material to validate all information included in their Selection Criteria responses or Personal Statement. Applicants must also provide copies of the previous year’s mid-year and end-of-year academic school reports. The applicants will be invited to upload the supporting documents via link when requested.
Other Factors:
Factors which may also be considered include
- any short or long-term educational disadvantages or hardships which may have impacted the applicant’s educational opportunities
- previous family connections to the school.
Year 11 Arts & Humanities Intake
Inspire. Create. Excite.
Are you in Year 10 and excited by the arts and humanities?
* Do you have an aptitude for visual or performing arts and humanities?
* Would you like to extend your arts and humanities experiences?
* Can you see yourself attending Victoria’s leading government secondary boys’ school?
* Do you want a broad education that includes a study of the arts and humanities?
Melbourne High School offers an Arts and Humanities intake at Year 11 for a two-year VCE arts and humanities course of study to a limited number of students.
Students who are excited by the Arts and Humanities and have a demonstrated commitment to these disciplines, have an opportunity to take advantage of the School’s learning environment to achieve excellence.
Apply for Year 11 in 2026 – Arts & Humanities Intake via link here>
Click here to access the form
Please read ALL of eligibility criteria and important details below before applying:
ELIGIBILITY
Melbourne High School is an academic Selective Entry (Year 9-12) State Government school for boys only.
Students must be either Australian or New Zealand citizens or a holder of a visa or ImmiCard which exempts them from paying International Student Fees to attend a Victorian government school.
Fee-paying international students enrolled in Victorian schools are not eligible to apply.
Melbourne High School cannot enrol international or temporary students.
SELECTION CRITERIA
ONLY current Year 10, 2025 students are eligible to complete this online application.
Entrance into Year 11 at Melbourne High School through the specialised VCE Visual and Performing Arts & Humanities intake is conditional upon the agreement that successful students must study at least two VCE subjects from the Arts & Humanities stream in both Year 11 and in Year 12. This study load equates to a minimum of eight units of VCE Arts &/or Humanities subjects.
The options of the Arts & Humanities subjects on offer in 2026 will be subject to demand. There is no guarantee that all listed subjects will be offered. Successful applicants will be advised of confirmed selections prior to any final offering of a place.
SELECTION ASSESSMENT
It is expected that applicants can demonstrate a high level of achievement against each criterion. Written responses, supporting material, together with performance at audition(s), if relevant, and interview, will be taken into consideration.
All applications for entry to Melbourne High School at Year 11 are assessed by a school-appointed selection panel against the following criteria:
1. Outstanding Potential in VCE Arts or Humanities Subjects
Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate significant ability and potential in at least two of the Year 11 Intake subjects listed on the School’s website.
2. Co-curricular Achievement
Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate significant achievement in one or more areas of co-curricular involvement such as sport, music, debating and the performing arts.
3. School Leadership
Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate a record of leadership at the secondary school level or within the broader community.
4. Academic Achievement
Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate a record of strong academic achievement at secondary school level.
A previous close family connection to the School may be considered, however this is not a criterion for selection.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are required to complete an online application, and:
– list which 2-3 VCE Arts/Humanities subjects they wish to apply for
– list any VCE units they have already studied in 2025
– list all the VCE units they wish to study in 2026 – 2027
– submit a (500 word maximum) Personal Response, describing their personal reasons for wanting to join Melbourne High School, with emphasis on abilities in their chosen Arts/Humanities subjects. All statements of achievements included within written responses must be supported by at least one uploaded supporting document per listed achievement … such as certificates, reference letters etc.
– list a summary of achievements (secondary school only) that align with the Selection Criteria
– respond to additional questions if applying for VCE Visual & Performing Arts subjects
ADDITIONAL SUBMISSIONS
In addition to completing this online application form, each applicant will be required to:
– supply their academic results by uploading copies of their two latest full (not interim) school reports (eg. Semester 2, 2024 & Semester 1, 2025)
Academic grades and teacher comments contained within the reports regarding cooperation, participation, self-management and ability to meet deadlines will be considered.
Please note: we do not require a cover letter, photograph of the applicant or teacher references
INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS APPLICANTS ONLY
Music Performance / Investigation
Students should have received instruction in orchestral instruments and/or Voice. If selected for an audition and interview, you will be required to perform TWO contrasting works or movements on the instrument of your choice. Both pieces are to be played on the ONE instrument. The combined works should take no longer than 10 minutes to perform. You will also be required to complete some sight reading and aural tests.
Theatre Studies
If selected for an interview and audition, you are required to learn and perform one of the five prescribed monologues and perform another piece of script, sight unseen. A preparation time of three (3) minutes will be given and then you will be asked to sight read and perform the script for the selection panel.
Media Studies
Links to your online YouTube or Vimeo etc media work are required to be uploaded.
Art Creating and Exhibiting
Up to six photographs (as JPEGs) of your artwork (of no more than 10mb each) with a brief artist’s statement of no more than 300 words must accompany your application. If selected for an interview, candidates will be required to bring a folio of their original artwork.
Visual Communication Design
Up to six photographs (as JPEGs) of your artwork, such as drawings and design projects (of no more than 10mb each), with a brief artist’s statement of no more than 300 words must accompany your application. If selected for an interview, candidates will be required to bring a folio of their original artwork.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
The Principal and Enrolment Administration Officer oversee that:
– all fully completed applications are forwarded to the Selection Panel
– the Selection Panel reviews applications and shortlists candidates
– the selected candidates are invited to an interview, and if relevant, present a folio or audition
– provisional places are offered to successful candidates
– confirmation of the successful student’s course subject selections are distributed
TIMELINE
– all applications, submissions and payments are due by 11.59pm on Sunday, 10th August 2025 (extended deadline)
– applicants will be notified by email if successfully short-listed by Friday, 15th August 2025
– shortlisted applicants will be invited to be interviewed on one of the following dates:
Thursday 21st / Friday 22nd / Monday 25th / Tuesday 26th August 2025
– successful applicants will be notified during September 2025
HELPFUL REFERENCES:
For a comprehensive list of VCAA 2026 – VCE Subjects and their descriptions:
VCAA VCE Study Designs
Scholarships, bursaries and prizes available to students enrolled at Melbourne High School
We have a diversity of scholarship opportunities for you and your situation. From recognition of academic achievements or musical performance, to support for unique challenges and experiences, all current and recently graduated students are encouraged to explore the list.
Susan Fincham Young Carer Bursary
Are you a student who has a carer role with an immediate family member? This bursary may be able to help your family situation.
Lindsay Fox Scholarship
A $3000 per annum scholarship awarded annually to a commencing Year 9 student experiencing severe financial need. The scholarship is accessed as a credit against the costs of school charges, books, uniforms and other school requisites.
Alan Metcalf Scholarship
A $3,000 per annum scholarship awarded to one Year 10 intake student experiencing financial need.
Pratt Indigenous Scholarship
A $3000 per annum scholarship awarded to a commencing Year 9 or Year 10 student of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. Up to two scholarships may be awarded each year to support the costs of education.
The Peter Larsen Music Bursary
A bursary awarded to a member or members of the Melbourne High School Orchestra experiencing financial need, as recommended by the Director of Music.
Lachlan Caspar Brooke Endowment Fund
A $1,500 endowment awarded at the Committee’s discretion to a Year 9, 10 or 11 student experiencing financial and/or other hardship. Students must have a satisfactory academic performance, overall involvement in the School program and appreciation of the values of the School. A solid record of good behaviour and support for others is also a prerequisite.
Chris McGrath Scholarship
A $1,000 per annum scholarship awarded to a Year 9 student (total value $4000) experiencing financial hardship, who is interested in Cadets. Evidence of a Health Care Card or Family Tax Benefit A is required.
To find out more please visit the MHS Foundation website.
As a government school, parents are not required to pay an annual tuition fee. However, the school relies on the generosity and involvement of parents through volunteering their time and/or voluntary payment contributions in order continue to provide the best possible education and support for students.
These contributions help to cover the cost of materials, equipment and other consumables. For each year level, a list has been outlined where parents can choose to make voluntary contribution based on their son’s subjects and electives. All payments are made via Compass.
View Parent Payment Policy Year 9
View Parent Payment Policy Year 10
View Parent Payment Policy year 11