Policy last updated
14 July 2025
Scope
- Schools
- School councils
Policy
Please note: This policy replaces the Specialism Schools and Programs policy.
Policy
The purpose of this policy is to define designated purpose settings (DPS), outline the different types of DPS available to students, and describe their role within the Victorian government education system. The policy also provides overarching guidance for establishing and modifying special entry criteria at these settings.
Summary
- A DPS is a school, campus or program that specialises in a specific subject or activity or supports a particular student cohort.
- These settings typically do not have a school zone and enrol or admit students under department approved special entry criteria aligned to their purpose.
- Principals of DPS must publish their special entry criteria on their school’s website, either by uploading a school-level enrolment, selection or referral policy or by linking to a related department policy or webpage with the relevant information.
- Principals of DPS must follow the guidance in this policy when seeking to establish or modify their setting’s special entry criteria.
Details
Within the Victorian government school system there are 2 overarching categories of educational settings. These are:
- designated neighbourhood schools (DNS)
- designated purpose settings (DPS).
Eligible students have a legislated right to enrol at their designated neighbourhood school. DNSs must follow the department’s Placement Policy when enrolling students.
DPS enrol or admit students who meet the special entry criteria outlined in their enrolment, selection, or referral policy (where there is sufficient accommodation) and have no legal obligation to enrol or admit local students into the DPS. The one exception is DNSs that offer a bilingual program through the department’s Designated Bilingual Program, where locally enrolled students are required to participate in the program.
DPS offer environments that cater to diverse learning needs and provide students with greater choice and flexibility to achieve their education aspirations while at school.
Victorian government DPS include standalone schools, or campuses and programs of DNSs, that:
- specialise in a specific subject or activity, for example, science or performing arts, or
- support a particular cohort, for example high achieving students, students with diverse learning needs, or students with disability and/or high support needs.
These settings must have a designated purpose from one of the following categories:
- Alpine/Seasonal
- Complementary (including Community schools and Flexible Learning Options)
- English language (for newly arrived students)
- Health Services (including Hospital schools and schools working with mental health services)
- High-Ability (including select entry secondary schools, sport, science, and performing arts)
- Language (including Binational and Bilingual)
- Outdoor Education
- Specialist (for students with disability and/or high support needs)
- Virtual
- Youth justice.
DNSs that operate a designated purpose campus or program must continue to apply the Placement Policy for enrolments into all areas of the school outside the designated purpose campus or program.
Some DNSs have a local enrolment policy that contains an adjusted priority order of placement which applies to all enrolments, including enrolments into the DPS campus or program (e.g. DNSs with deaf facility campuses). In these cases, all enrolments into the school must be managed in accordance with the school’s adjusted priority order of placement.
Special entry criteria guidance
Special entry criteria are specific requirements or conditions that students must satisfy to be considered for enrolment or participation in a DPS.
Special entry criteria may include factors such as demonstrated aptitude or talent in a particular area (for example, sport), specific academic achievements, specific diagnoses and support needs, or other relevant attributes that align with the designated purpose (for example, proficiency in spoken languages).
Special entry criteria must be measurable, objective, and clearly defined to ensure transparent and fair decision making when enrolling or admitting students.
Approval of special entry criteria
Special entry criteria must be approved by the Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Services or the relevant regional director, as authorised delegates of the Minister for Education (Instrument of Delegation No. 2025/D02 ).
Principals must seek approval to add, remove or change special entry criteria for a DPS (refer to guidance tab for further information).
Where applicable, special entry criteria must also align with any statewide eligibility requirements for certain types of DPS.
Application of special entry criteria
Principals of DPS must ensure that special entry criteria are consistently applied when selecting students. This includes the prioritisation of students where the number of applicants exceeds sufficient accommodation.
Publication of special entry criteria
DPS must detail and publish their special entry criteria on their school website.
This requirement can be met by either:
- uploading an approved school-level enrolment, selection or referral policy outlining the special entry criteria
- providing a link to the special entry criteria that applies to the DPS set out in a related department policy or webpage, for example, the Flexible Learning Options policy for FLO settings.
If additional enrolment requirements for a DPS extend beyond those specified in a related department policy or webpage, an approved school-level enrolment, selection or referral policy detailing the special entry criteria is required and must be published on the school website.
School-level enrolment, selection or referral policies are recommended to be easily accessible and promptly updated if any modifications are made to the special entry criteria (please refer to guidance tab for further information).
The school-level enrolment/selection/referral policy or related department policy/webpage must also outline:
- the minimum and maximum ages for enrolment or participation in the DPS
- how parents or carers appeal a decision not to provide placement.
Department oversight of special entry criteria
The department may initiate reviews of special entry criteria arrangements at any time to ensure continued alignment with educational objectives or to address enrolment challenges within local school networks.
Please refer to the guidance tab for more information on:
- modifying special entry criteria
- establishing a new designated purpose setting
- designated purpose schools in Victoria and the complete list
- designated purpose campuses in Victoria and the complete list
- designated purpose programs in Victoria and the complete list.
Related policies
- Curriculum Programs Foundation to 10
- Designated Bilingual Program
- EAL – Provision for Newly Arrived Students
- Enrolment
- Flexible Learning Options
- Outdoor Education Schools
- Students with Disability
- Supporting High-Ability Students
Relevant legislation
Contact
Schools may contact the relevant Executive Director Area for queries about:
- modifying special entry criteria at a new or existing DPS
- establishing a new DPS in Victoria.
For queries about individual DPS, schools may contact the individual setting or the relevant Executive Director Area. Refer to Office for contact details for each regional office.
For general queries about this policy please contact the Designated Purpose Settings Unit at: designated.purpose.settings@education.vic.gov.au
Guidance
Guidance
This guidance contains the following chapters:
- Modifying special entry criteria and establishing new designated purpose settings
- Designated purpose schools in Victoria
- Designated purpose campuses in Victoria
- Designated purpose programs in Victoria
Modifying special entry criteria and establishing new designated purpose settings
Modifying special entry criteria and establishing new designated purpose settings
Modifying special entry criteria
Modifications to special entry criteria at existing designated purpose settings (DPS) must be approved by the Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Services or the relevant regional director as authorised delegates of the Minister for Education (Instrument of Delegation No. 2025/D02 ).
This includes changes that alter:
- the purpose of the DPS
- the student cohort for which the DPS was established
Principals should contact their relevant Executive Director Area to discuss any potential modifications to their school’s special entry criteria. The Executive Director Area will facilitate the approval process in consultation with relevant regional and central teams.
Changes to existing selection processes and procedures (for example, whether students need to participate in trials/exams, testing requirements, or deadlines) must also follow this approval process.
Approval for modifying special entry criteria is subject to consideration of both local and statewide educational priorities, and the potential impact on local school networks. Proposals may also be subject to other government decision-making processes, which assess priorities across the education portfolio.
Principals may make adjustments to any additional guidance and supporting information in their school-level enrolment, selection or referral policy, provided these changes do not alter:
- the approved special entry criteria
- selection process and procedures
- minimum/maximum age requirements
- the appeals process.
Establishing a new designated purpose setting
The department has processes in place for assessing proposals from schools to establish new DPS in Victoria, including new schools, campuses, and programs.
These processes ensure that all proposals are rigorously and consistently evaluated in alignment with the department’s strategic .
Approval for new DPS is granted only in rare circumstances when there is a clear, demonstrated need that aligns with both local and statewide educational priorities, and where the potential impact on local school networks has been carefully assessed. Operational scope, feasibility and financial viability, including whether the proposed DPS can operate within existing resource allocations will also be considered.
Schools will not generally receive additional funding or infrastructure support for such changes, and decisions will reflect both budgetary constraints and equitable resource distribution. Proposals may also be subject to other government decision-making processes, which assess priorities across the education portfolio.
Schools should contact the relevant Executive Director Area to discuss the assessment process, which includes a pre-briefing to determine the suitability of the proposal. If the proposal is considered suitable for further development, the regional office – not the school – will prepare a business case.
The assessment process may take up to 24 months, depending on the complexity of the proposal.
Designated purpose schools
Designated purpose schools
Designated purpose schools specialise in a specific subject or activity, or support a particular cohort, for example, high achieving students or students with diverse learning needs.
Designated purpose schools vary in registration type. Some are registered as specific purpose, others as specialist, and some as primary or secondary schools. Their curriculum requirements may also vary, allowing them to focus on specialised subjects or activities. For information on the registration type of designated purpose schools, search for the specific school using the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority’s (VRQA) State .
Some designated purpose schools have multiple campuses in different locations. In these cases, all campuses must be registered with the VRQA.
Some designated purpose schools may also deliver programs. If designated purpose schools are considering delivering a program in a different location to the main campus, they should contact their Executive Director Area to determine whether that location should be registered with the VRQA as an additional campus.
The tables below provide an overview of each category of designated purpose school, including current schools within each category.
For information on the location of designated purpose schools, search for the specific school using the search function on the Find my website.
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Community schools
Community schools provide an alternative school setting for students where mainstream schooling does not meet their needs for a range of reasons and to encourage re-engagement with education.
- Bindjiroo Yaluk Community School
- Croydon Community School
- Kensington Community High School
- Oakwood School
- Sherbrooke Community College
- Sydney Road Community School
Vocational schools
Vocational schools provide students with the opportunity to undertake applied learning for Years 10 to 12 to prepare them for the world of work (Apprenticeships, Traineeships, and general employment) or further TAFE training.
- Peter Lalor Secondary College
Flexible Learning Options (FLOs) – Schools
FLO schools support students at risk or already disengaged from education. FLO schools help to build social and emotional capability, wellbeing and engagement in education. FLO schools are a short-term option before students transition back to their regular school.
- Yarra Me School
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Sovereign Hill School offers a unique 2 day, fully immersive, costumed school experience tailored to Year 5 and 6 students.
- Sovereign Hill School
-
English language schools provide intensive English language programs to primary and secondary students from language backgrounds other than English who have recently arrived in Victoria. Students learn English and new concepts as they participate in the different learning areas. English language schools have a strong focus on supporting students to reach their potential in English language development and help them adapt as quickly as possible to the Australian education system and society more broadly.
- Blackburn English Language School
- Collingwood English Language School
- Geelong English Language School
- Noble Park English Language School
- Western English Language School
-
Hospital schools
Hospital schools provide education services to students who are unable to attend their base school due to specific heath condition/s. This may include inpatient, outpatient (community) or sessional education programs. All hospital schools are aligned and co-located with a health service and the student remains enrolled at their base school.
- Monash Children's Hospital School
- The Austin School
- Travancore School
Mental health
Avenues Education works in partnership with Infant Child and Youth Mental Health Services (ICYMHS). ICYMHS refer students to Avenues Education to provide targeted educational services for individual and groups of students experiencing social, emotional, and/or mental health difficulties in accessing education.
- Avenues Education
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These schools provide students who are demonstrating excellence in different key learning areas and subjects, such as English, maths, sciences, visual and performing arts and physical education, with opportunities to further excel.
- Centre for Higher Education Studies
- John Monash Science School
- Melbourne High School
- Nossal High School
- Suzanne Cory High School
- The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School
- Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
-
Outdoor education schools specialise in providing outdoor learning to students in middle primary to VCE, through residential and/or journey-based experiences in nature, physical skills, and subject-specific knowledge. Outdoor schools are available to all students in Victoria.
- Outdoor School
- Rubicon Outdoor School
- School for Student Leadership
- Somers School Camp
-
Specialist schools provide specialised education programs for students with disability and high needs. There are different types of specialist schools that cater to students with particular disability and high needs (as outlined below). Each specialist school has specific eligibility criteria that can be found on the school website.
Specialist schools marked with * also deliver an Early Education Program that provides group-based learning for preschool age children who have a disability or developmental delay. More information: Early Education Programs.
Specialist (autism)
A type of specialist school that provides specialist education programs for autistic students with high needs.
- Bulleen Heights School
- Eastern Ranges School
- Endeavour Hills Specialist School (also intellectual disability)
- Jacana School for Autism
- Jennings Street School
- Niddrie Autistic School
- Northern School for Autism
- Southern Autistic School*
- Western Autistic School
Specialist (deaf school)
A type of specialist school that provides specialist education programs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Aurora School*
- Furlong Park School for Deaf Children*
- Victorian College for the Deaf
Specialist (intellectual disability)
Mild
A type of specialist school that provides specialist education programs for students with a mild intellectual disability. These are also known as ‘special schools’.
- Ascot Vale Heights School
- Ashwood School
- Baringa Special School
- Concord School
- Croxton Special School
- Emerson School
- Heatherwood School
- Hume Valley School
- Jackson School
- Kalianna Special School
- Naranga Special School
- Nelson Park School
- Rosamond Special School
- Vermont South Special School
Mild to profound
A type of specialist school that provides specialist education programs for students with a mild to profound intellectual disability. These are also known as ‘dual/multi-mode’ specialist schools.
- Ballarat Specialist School
- Bass Coast Specialist School
- Belvoir Wodonga Special Developmental School
- Cobram and District Specialist School
- Lake Colac School*
- Dharra School
- East Gippsland Specialist School
- Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School
- Endeavour Hills Specialist School (and autism)
- Hamilton Parklands School
- Hampden Specialist School
- Hampton East School Montague Continuing Education Centre
- Horsham Special School
- Marnebek School Cranbourne
- Melton Specialist School
- Merri River School
- Mildura Specialist School
- Nganboo Borron School
- Officer Specialist School
- Peninsula Specialist College
- Springvale Phillip Specialist School*
- Portland Bay School
- Sale and District Specialist School
- Skene Street School Stawell
- South Gippsland Specialist School
- Sunbury And Macedon Ranges Specialist School
- Swan Hill Specialist School
- Banmira Specialist School*
- Wangaratta District Specialist School
- Warracknabeal Special Developmental School
- Warragul and District Specialist School
- Warringa Park School
- Wayi School
Moderate to profound
A type of specialist school that provides specialist education programs for students with a moderate to profound intellectual disability. These are also known as ‘special developmental schools’.
- Barwon Valley School
- Bayside Special Developmental School*
- Bendigo Special Developmental School
- Broadmeadows Special Developmental School
- Burwood East Special Developmental School*
- Coburg Special Developmental School
- Croydon Special Developmental School*
- Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School*
- Diamond Valley Special Developmental School*
- Frankston Special Developmental School*
- Hamlyn Views School
- Latrobe Special Developmental School
- Merriang Special Developmental School
- Monash Special Developmental School*
- Mornington Special Developmental School*
- Springvale Park Special Developmental School*
- Sunshine Special Developmental School
- Waratah Special Developmental School
- Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School*
- Yarrabah School*
- Yarraville Special Developmental School
Specialist (physical disability)
A type of specialist school that provides specialist education programs for students with physical disability and/or a significant health impairment and requiring regular paramedical support.
- Belmore School
- Glenallen School
- Glenroy Specialist School
- Nepean Special School
-
The Victorian School of Languages specialises in language education for students who do not have access to the language they wish to study at their regular school. The school plays an essential role in fostering multilingualism and cultural understanding in the state of Victoria.
The Victorian School of Languages provides language education to students from Prep to Year 12, offering over 40 languages through a combination of face-to-face and online learning options.
Access is open to all students wishing to study a language not offered at their regular school, subject to the availability of places:
- in each class
- at particular centres.
The Victorian School of Languages also delivers the Virtual New Arrivals Program, which provides a quality English language program for newly arrived EAL students who are unable to access an English language school or centre due to their location in rural or regional areas. More information: EAL – Provision for Newly Arrived Students: Guidance.
- Victorian School of Languages
-
Virtual School Victoria offers virtual and blended learning for students from Foundation to Year 12. The school caters to a wide range of students, including those who are unable to attend their designated neighbourhood schools (DNS) due to geographical isolation, health issues, or other personal circumstances. The school also supports students seeking to complement their schooling with subjects not offered at their DNS.
Virtual School Victoria provides a virtual learning environment where students have access to a comprehensive curriculum, taught by experienced teachers. The school offers a range of learning opportunities for students, including online classes, in-person seminars, excursions and camps. This approach enables students to balance their education with their personal needs, helping them achieve their academic goals in a supportive setting.
Virtual School Victoria also delivers the Victorian High-Ability program, which enables high-ability students in Years 5-8, at all Victorian state schools, to be challenged and extended in a supportive environment. More information: Victorian High-Ability Program – Virtual School .- Virtual School Victoria
-
Youth justice schools are for students who are in custody or a secure care setting. Students are supported to transition to and from youth justice schools to their designated neighbourhood school or alternative education settings to stay engaged with education and training.
- Parkville College
Designated purpose campuses
Designated purpose campuses
Designated purpose campuses are supplementary campuses of designated neighbourhood schools (DNSs), that specialise in a specific subject or activity, or support a particular cohort, for example, high-achieving students or students with diverse learning needs.
These campuses are often in a different location to the main campus.
Designated purpose campuses vary in registration type. Some are registered as specific purpose, others as specialist. Their curriculum requirements may also vary, allowing them to focus on specialised subjects or activities. For information on the registration type of designated purpose campuses, search for the applicable school using the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority’s State , and then select ‘view details’ of the relevant campus.
The tables below provide an overview of each category of designated purpose campus, including current campuses within each category.
For information on the location of designated purpose campuses, search for the specific campus using the search function on the Find my website.
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Seasonal campuses are available to students to support education provision in Alpine areas during the Victorian snow season.
- Dinner Plain Campus (seasonal): Bright P–12 College
- Mt Buller Campus (seasonal): Mansfield Primary School
- Mansfield Secondary Mt Buller Annexe (seasonal): Mansfield Secondary College
-
English Language Centres provide intensive English language programs to primary and secondary students from language backgrounds other than English who have recently arrived in Victoria. Students learn English and new concepts as they participate in the different learning areas. English Language Centres have a strong focus on supporting students to reach their potential in English language development and help them adapt as quickly as possible to the Australian education system and society.
- Hume Central English Language Centre: Hume Central Secondary College
- Mildura English Language Centre: Mildura Senior College
- Shepparton English Language Centre: St Georges Road Primary School
- Westall English Language Centre: Westall Secondary College
-
Vocational campuses
Vocational campuses provide students with the opportunity to undertake applied learning for Years 10 to 12 to prepare them for the world of work (Apprenticeships, Traineeships, and general employment) or further TAFE training.
- Ngooloo Campus: Bairnsdale Secondary College
Flexible Learning Options (FLOs) – Campuses
FLOs support students at risk or already disengaged from education. Students at risk of disengagement should be attending FLOs only in instances where their needs are not able to be met in mainstream school and should only be used as a short-term option. FLO campuses in this list use the FLO Online Referral Platform to refer students from other schools into the FLO. More information: Flexible Learning Options (FLOs).
- Benalla Flexible Learning Centre: Wodonga Senior Secondary College
- Bendigo FLO Campus: Weeroona College Bendigo
- Blackwood Annexe: Drouin Secondary College
- CaLM Link up Campus: Melton Secondary College
- Chinese Community Centre: Yea High School
- Devon North Campus: Yarram Secondary College
- Etty Street Campus: Castlemaine Secondary College
- Flexible Learning Option Wonthaggi: Bass Coast College
- FLO Campus: Swan Hill College
- FLO Connect Campus: Red Cliffs Secondary College
- Goldsworthy Road Campus: Yea High School
- Greater Otway Applied Learning School: Lavers Hill K-12 College
- Hazelwood Estate Flexible Learning Option: Churchill Primary School
- Heidelberg Secondary Teaching Unit: Reservoir High School
- La Trobe Valley FLO Campus: Kurnai College
- LinkUp Campus: Mount Rowan Secondary College
- Mc Kenzie Creek Campus: Horsham College
- Myuna Secondary Teaching Unit: Dandenong High School
- Sebastopol Campus: Phoenix P-12 Community College
- Seymour Flexible Learning Centre: Wodonga Senior Secondary College
- Shepparton Flexible Learning Centre: Wodonga Senior Secondary College
- The Gateway School: Roxburgh College
- The Pavilion School – Epping: Charles La Trobe P-12 College
- The Pavilion School – Preston: Charles La Trobe P-12 College
- Victoria Parade Campus: Portland Secondary College
- Wave Campus: Warrnambool College
- Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre: Wodonga Senior Secondary College
Young parents
Young Parent campuses specialise in providing inclusive and flexible learning models for pregnant and parenting young people.
- NETschool: Bendigo Senior Secondary College
- Young Parent Campus: Kurnai College
- Yuille Campus: Yuille Park Community College
-
High Ability campuses provide students who are demonstrating excellence in different key learning areas and subjects, such as English, maths, sciences, visual and performing arts and physical education, with opportunities to further excel.
- Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences: University High School
- Flying Fruit Fly Circus School: Wodonga Middle Years College
-
Outdoor education campuses specialise in providing outdoor learning to students through residential and/or journey-based experiences in nature, physical skills, and subject-specific knowledge. The Blackwood Outdoor Specialist School is available to all Victorian specialist school students.
- Blackwood Outdoor Specialist School (disability focus): Frankston Special Developmental School
-
Other outdoor campuses are available to support extra-curricular activities, for example, adventure-based programs or sailing.
- Victorian Sailing Water Safety School (sailing): Newcomb Secondary College
-
Specialist campuses provide education and support with a focus on students with a mild to profound intellectual disability, or students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Specialist (deaf facility)
Deaf facilities are located in DNSs and employ a teacher of the deaf, for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. There may be regular classes with extra support, and small group or individual support sessions with a specialist teacher of the deaf or support staff.
- Bendigo Deaf Facility: Kennington Primary School
- Brighton Primary School Deaf Facility: Brighton Primary School
- Deaf Facility: Charles La Trobe P–12 College
- Eastwood Deaf Facility: Eastwood Primary School
- Forest Hill Deaf Facility: Forest Hill College
- Forest Street Deaf Facility: Forest Street Primary School
- Greater Shepparton Secondary College Deaf Facility: Greater
- Shepparton Secondary College
- Grovedale West Deaf Facility: Grovedale West Primary School
- Mount Erin Deaf Facility: Mount Erin Secondary College
- Mount View Deaf Facility: Mount View Primary School
- North Sunshine Campus: Sunshine College
- Pearcedale Deaf Facility: Pearcedale Primary School
- Rosanna Golf Links Deaf Facility: Rosanna Golf Links Primary School
- Shepparton Deaf Facility: Guthrie Street Primary School Shepparton
- St Albans East Deaf Facility: St Albans East Primary School
- Sunshine Western Region Deaf Facility: Sunshine College
- Traralgon Deaf Facility: Traralgon (Liddiard Road) Primary School
- Willmott Park Deaf Facility: Willmott Park Primary School
Specialist (intellectual disability)
Mild
Specialist campus providing specialist education programs for students with a mild intellectual disability.
- Specialist P-12 Campus: Armstrong Creek School
Mild to profound
Specialist campus providing specialist education programs for students with a mild to profound intellectual disability.
- Beckworth Campus: Maryborough Education Centre
- Special Campus: Seymour College
- Specialist Campus: Clyde Creek Primary School
Specialist (vision)
Provides specialist teaching, professional learning, materials and technologies to support Victorian students who are blind or have low vision.
- State Vision Resource Centre: Heatherwood School
Specialist (other)
- Western Special Assistance Unit: Cairnlea Park Primary School
- Seaford Special Assistance Unit: Seaford Primary School
Designated purpose programs
Designated purpose programs
A designated purpose program is a program delivered by a designated neighbourhood school (DNS) with department-granted special entry criteria, enabling the school to selectively enrol out-of-zone students to support or sustain the program.
This differentiates designated purpose programs from other curriculum-aligned programs commonly offered by DNSs in Victoria (for example, music or sports programs), which may only select students for participation after they are enrolled in the school in accordance with the department’s Placement Policy.
DNSs offering designated purpose programs are required to provide the full curriculum to all students, both program and non-program, consistent with their registration as designated neighbourhood primary or secondary schools.
The tables below provide an overview of each category of designated purpose program, including current programs within each category.
Designated purpose programs are not searchable on the Find my website. For more information, please contact the applicable school.
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High Ability programs provide students who are demonstrating excellence in different key learning areas and subjects, such as English, maths, sciences, visual and performing arts and physical education, with opportunities to further excel.
- Maribyrnong Sports Academy: Maribyrnong College
- STEAM program: Melbourne Girls College
-
Bilingual programs focus on providing students with the opportunity to develop fluency in both English and a second language by integrating language learning across various subjects. These programs aim to promote linguistic diversity and cultural awareness, with students receiving instruction in both languages. Bilingual programs are designed to enhance cognitive skills, improve communication abilities, and prepare students for a multilingual world.
The department’s Designated Bilingual Program funds specific schools to deliver bilingual education under this model. These schools are the only ones with special entry criteria for their bilingual programs.
- Abbotsford Primary School
- Bayswater South Primary School
- Brunswick South Primary School
- Camberwell Primary School
- Caulfield Primary School
- Footscray Primary School
- Huntingdale Primary School
- Lalor North Primary School
- Newlands Primary School
- Richmond West Primary School
-
Binational programs offer students the opportunity to study an international curriculum in partnership with a foreign country’s education system. These programs emphasise dual academic recognition, allowing students to meet the educational standards of both Victoria and the partnering country. Students in binational programs gain a deep understanding of both cultures and are often required to be proficient in the language of the partner country, enriching their global perspective and preparing them for further international opportunities.
- Auburn High School
- Caulfield Junior College
- Glen Eira College
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Flexible Learning Options – Programs
Flexible Learning Options (FLOs) programs support students at risk or already disengaged from education. Students at risk of disengagement should be attending FLOs only in instances where their needs are not able to be met in mainstream school and should only be used as a short-term option. FLO programs in this list use the FLO Online Referral Platform to refer students from other schools into the FLO. More information: Flexible Learning Options (FLOs).
- FLIP Wyndham Hobson’s Bay: Manor Lakes P–12 College
- North Central Network FLO Program: Charlton College
- Outreach Education Program: Western Port Secondary College
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Enhanced language programs enable students to continue their language education in secondary school, following bilingual studies undertaken in primary school.
- Enhanced Chinese Program: Richmond High School
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Virtual learning programs provide students across the state with access to a broad range of subjects that may not be available at their local school. Virtual learning programs utilise interactive online resources and one-on-one support to ensure that students receive a comprehensive education that mirrors the classroom experience.
- Victorian Virtual Learning Network – Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Resources
Resources
- Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority: State – The State Register provides information about education and training providers registered by the VRQA, and the accredited courses and qualifications they deliver. The State Register can be used to find information on the registration type of designated purpose schools
- Template enrolment policies – specialist schools and supported inclusion schools (staff login – template enrolment policies for Specialist Schools and Supported Inclusion Schools are available on the School Policy Templates Portal. Note: A standard enrolment policy template for all DPS is under development and will be available on this page by the end of 2025.
Reviewed 18 July 2025