Moving from primary to secondary school: information for parents

In Victoria, students normally start secondary school when they reach year 7.

This page describes the steps for students moving from primary to secondary school.

Due to remote and flexible learning arrangements currently in place, government primary schools may be unable to distribute the 2020 parent/carer pack to every year 6 family in hard copy from the start of Term 2 2020.

Therefore, adjustments to the statewide year 6 to 7 timeline have been made. These changes give parents and carers an increased timeframe to return the application form.

Parents and carers of year 6 students can access the year 7 placement information pack and application form from this webpage. Your child’s government primary school will also make every effort to provide you a copy of the documents.

For more information on coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Victorian Government website

Steps to enrol

Moving from a government primary school to a government secondary school
  1. Download a year 7 placement information pack and application form (docx - 496.24kb). You can also download the standalone application form (docx - 456.9kb). Your child’s primary school may send you a copy of these documents via email or through the post.
  2. Find your local secondary school or preferred schools at findmyschool.vic.gov.au. You can also read about how to choose a school that's right for your family.
  3. Complete the form and return it to your primary school by Friday 29 May 2020. Your child’s primary school will advise you how you should return the form.

If your preferences include non-local schools, you should read about school zones and how they work.

Year 7 placement is decided by secondary schools. However, all communication about placement must be with the primary coordinator until the placement is confirmed.

You will receive notification of your child's year 7 placement on Wednesday 19 August 2020.

Your child's new secondary school will then contact you later in the year to let you know about year 7 orientation.

Moving from a private primary school to a government secondary school
  1. Download a year 7 placement information pack and application form (docx - 475.25kb) (coming from non-public primary). You can also download a standalone application form (docx - 438.83kb).
  2. Find your local secondary school or preferred schools at findmyschool.vic.gov.au. You can also read about how to choose a school that's right for your family.
  3. Complete the form and return it to your preferred secondary school by Friday 29 May 2020. You should contact your preferred secondary school for advice on how you should return the form.

If your preferences include non-local schools, you should read about school zones and how they work.

You will receive notification of your child's year 7 placement on Wednesday 19 August 2020.

Your child's new secondary school will then contact you later in the year to let you know about year 7 orientation.

Your child is at a P-9 or P-12 school

If your child is staying on at the same school, you do not need to make an application.

Contact your school for information about year 7 orientation.

Moving to a private secondary school

Contact the secondary school to find out their enrolment process.

Visit Catholic Education Melbourne and Independent Schools Victoria to find Catholic and independent schools.


Once your child is enrolled

Read our tips for starting secondary school to learn how you can support your child through the move.

Appealing a Year 7 enrolment

If a school decides not to accept your enrolment, you can appeal. This situation can happen if you request to enrol at a school outside of your designated neighbourhood zone, and the school does not have enough places.

You can lodge a written appeal to the school. They will let you know the deadline to submit the appeal and how long it will take for them to respond.

Appeals are considered by the school's placement committee and principal. They will check the priority order of placement and confirm your address. They will also consider appeals on compassionate grounds on a case-by-case basis.

If your appeal is unsuccessful and you're not satisfied with the outcome, you can escalate the appeal to your local regional office. The school will let you know the deadline to do this.

Appeals to the regional office are considered by a panel of senior department staff.