Designated Purpose Settings: 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 School(opens in a new window) website. For more information, please contact the applicable school.

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. For more information on high ability settings, refer to: Supporting High-Ability Students: Schools and settings targeted to high-ability students.
- 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
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
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
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

Updated 17 August 2026