School zones

What is a local school

Your designated neighbourhood Government school (referred to as your local school) is generally the government school closest to your child’s permanent residential address.

If your child lives in metropolitan Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo or Geelong, their local school is usually the nearest government school in a straight line from their permanent address.

In any other area of Victoria, it is usually the nearest school by the shortest practical route by road.

Find your local government school

To find your local school and other government schools in your area:

1. Enter findmyschool.vic.gov.au into your browser
2. Enter your address under ‘Enter your address to get started’
3. If you are looking to enrol your child for the 2023 school year, make sure 2023 is selected under ‘Enrolment year’
4. Select primary, secondary or specialist under ‘School type’
5. The map will then show your address, your local school, and on the left the contact details for the school
6. If you scroll down, it will also show you the five closest schools.

The Find my School website is the official and most up to date source of school zone maps in Victoria. All government primary, secondary and specialist schools are on Find my School.

Visit Catholic Education Commission of Victoria and Independent Schools Victoria to find Catholic and independent schools located across the state.

Right to enrol at your local school

Your child has a right to enrol at their local school. This right is set out in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. This means, if your child lives within the school zone, they must be offered a place when seeking enrolment.

Going to a school outside your zone

You have the choice to seek enrolment at a school that is not your local school.

If the school has sufficient space for all students who apply, then your child should be offered placement.

If the school has limited spaces available, applications are considered using the ‘priority order of placement’ outlined in the Placement Policy. The priority order of placement prioritises students who live within the school zone and out of zone siblings. For more information on the Placement Policy, learn about enrolling in school.

School zone changes

The Find my School website shows zones for the 2022 and 2023 school years.

A small number of school zones have changed for 2023. These changes are due to 13 new schools and campuses opening in 2023, and changes in enrolment demand.

Always use the Find my School website to check school zones. The Department of Education and Training does not endorse advice from real estate agents or other websites.

Other school types

Specialist schools for students with disability

Specialist schools for students with disability do not have school zones. They do have designated transport areas. If you live in these areas, you may be able to get help with transporting your child to and from school.

Single sex schools

Single sex schools have school zones to ensure they can cater for local children. The school zones are not created the same way as mainstream schools and are usually larger. This is because they are not a local school for all children. If you are within the school zone for a single sex school, you will also be within the school zone for a co-ed school. You can seek enrolment at a single sex school, even if your child does not live within the school zone. Applications are considered in line with the Placement Policy or, where applicable, the school’s individual enrolment criteria.

Multi-campus schools

Schools that have multiple campuses may have a single school zone for the entire school or may have separate school zones for particular campuses. This will depend on the local arrangements at the school (e.g. how close the campuses are or whether they cater for junior or senior secondary students or both).

Flexible learning government schools and English language schools

Flexible learning government schools and English language schools do not have school zones, as they support more than just their local area.

Selective entry schools

Selective entry schools do not have school zones, but they have other enrolment criteria.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

For answers to frequently asked questions about school zones and enrolment at Victorian government schools, including specialist schools, refer to the Enrolment FAQs (DOCX, 145KB)