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 (PDF)).

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 objectives.

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.