Victorian School Enrollment Zone Changes

The Victorian state government has announced 11 new enrollment boundary changes, impacting students in several regional towns. This development follows a decade of advocacy from the affected communities, aiming to better serve their educational needs.

Daylesford College Access Expanded

As of next year, students from the regional towns of Ballan and Dales Creek, located approximately 80 kilometers west of Melbourne and home to around 3400 residents, will have the option to enroll at Daylesford College. Previously, these towns were zoned for Bacchus Marsh College, a significant adjustment addressing community preferences.

This adjustment addresses community preferences for schools with a "country feel" and responds to increasing difficulties with out-of-zone applications.

Moorabool councillor Ally Munari and Daylesford College school council vice president Chris Gingell confirmed the community's preference for Daylesford College due to its regional atmosphere. The change is also intended to balance student numbers, addressing declining enrollments in some areas and oversupply in others, presenting a beneficial scenario for the region.

Broader Boundary Updates Across Victoria

The changes are part of a wider update to the state's enrollment map, encompassing various regions and school types.

• Melbourne Schools: Enrollment restrictions have been placed on over 100 state schools in Melbourne. Additionally, 17 schools have received smaller, "non-standard zones" to manage applications more effectively.
• New Schools: A new zone has been established for Aintree North Primary School, which is scheduled to open next year.
• Accessibility Improvements: Boundaries have been redrawn for schools including Bethal Primary School in Meadow Heights, Balambalam Primary School in Clyde North, and Kulap Primary School, Clyde Primary School, and Clyde Creek Primary School in Clyde, to enhance accessibility for local students.
• Copperfield College: Changes apply to the Kings Park junior campus (Years 7-10) and the Delahey senior campus (Years 11-12) school zones, streamlining their operational areas.
• School Closures: Currawa Primary School in the Goulburn Valley and Seaspray Primary School in Gippsland ceased operations last year.

Annual Review Process Ensures Local Access

School enrollment zones undergo an annual review to accommodate the opening of new schools, alterations in existing school provisions, and changes in enrollment demand. This continuous assessment ensures the system remains responsive to the evolving needs of Victorian communities.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education stated that these reviews ensure Victorian students have access to local government schools. The admission process for the 2027 academic year is scheduled to commence in early Term 2.

Education Minister and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll noted that the government has established 121 local public schools to provide accessible learning environments within Victorian communities.