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.

If you need accessible versions of the documents on this page, contact your closest regional office.

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 - 488kb). Your primary school may also give you a copy.
  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 15 May 2020.

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 5 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 (coming from non-public primary) (docx - 466kb)
  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 15 May 2020.

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 5 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.