Why do we build more primary than secondary schools?

There are more Victorian primary schools because there are more primary-age children, but record investment and careful planning will ensure young people of all ages have a place at a great local school.

Primary students outnumber their older peers by around 130,000 at Victorian public schools. The younger kids are also less able to travel independently, so we build more schools closer to where they live. This makes drop-off and pick-up easier for parents and reduces congestion on our roads.

More secondary-age children, particularly in metropolitan areas, are able to commute safely across suburbs to attend school, using public transport or cycling.

Despite that greater flexibility with older students, we need more places to keep pace with Victoria's rapidly growing population. The VSBA is managing a secondary school building boom that requires significant community investment and expert planning. We use detailed demographic modelling to make sure the right schools are being built in the right places. Secondary schools also cater for a range of educational pathways and have the facilities to match. They also often include shared facilities – making the school a hub in their community.

In recent years we've opened:

• Mernda Central P–12 College (2017)
• Featherbrook P–9 College (2017)
• Bannockburn P–12 College (2018)
• Edgars Creek Secondary College (2018)
• Beaumaris Secondary College (2018)
• Springside West Secondary College (2019)
• Richmond High School (2019)
• Prahran High School (2019)
• Dohertys Creek P–9 College (2019)
• Preston High School (2019)
• Saltwater P–9 College (2019)
• Elevation Secondary College (2020)
• Homestead Senior Secondary College (2020)
• Cranbourne West Secondary College (2021)
• Edenbrook Secondary College (2021), and
• Footscray High School Pilgrim Year 7–9 Campus (2021)
• Bass Coast College – San Remo Campus (2022)
• Clyde Secondary College (2022)
• Greater Shepparton Secondary College (2022)
• Greenvale Secondary College (2022)
• McKinnon Secondary College – East Campus (2022)
• Port Melbourne Secondary College (2022)
• Wurun Senior Campus (2022)
• Mickleham Secondary College (2023)
• Wollert Secondary College (2023)
• Bemin Secondary College (2024)
• Brinbeal Secondary College (2024)
• Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College (2024)
• Yarrabing Secondary College (2024)

A further 3 government secondary schools will open in 2025 and 2026.

Of course, new schools are just part of the picture. We’re also modernising and expanding existing secondary schools. This gives them better facilities and more places to meet the needs of current and future students.

Explore more about schools