If you've been Googling "best private primary schools in Melbourne" at 11 pm (no judgment, we've all been there), we've got the deep dive you've been looking for.

Victoria has cemented its place as a genuine education powerhouse, with a whopping 74 private primary schools making the national top 250 list. And topping the state — and coming in third in the entire country — is Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC) in Burwood.

What are the Top 100 Private Primary Schools in Victoria?

Set on a stunning 16-hectare campus in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC) is an independent Christian school for girls that combines beautiful grounds with outstanding academics. With fees starting at around $27,000 in Prep and rising to approximately $36,000 in Year 6, it sits firmly in the premium tier, but the results speak for themselves. PLC ranked 3rd nationally, thanks to their excellent NAPLAN scores and one of the most impressive student-to-teacher ratios in the country: just seven students per full-time teacher. For context, that's extraordinary individual attention for every child.

Following PLC, the top 5 private schools in Victoria are Haileybury College (ranked 4th nationally), Camberwell Grammar School (7th), St Andrews Christian College (10th), and Fintona Girls' School (11th). 

If you're looking at single-sex education for your daughter, Victoria's private sector has some seriously impressive options. Six all-girls schools made it into Victoria's top 20 and the national top 50, including Fintona Girls' School, Lauriston Girls' School, Camberwell Girls Grammar School, Korowa Anglican Girls' School, Mentone Girls' Grammar School, and Ruyton Girls' School. That's a remarkable showing and suggests these schools are doing something very right when it comes to academic outcomes.

Families considering all-boys schooling will find strong options too, with Scotch College, Trinity Grammar School and St Kevin's College all ranking highly in the state.

Here's an interesting stat: 18 of Victoria's top 20 private primary schools are large combined schools, educating students from Prep through to Year 12. But two standalone primary schools punched well above their weight: St Christopher's School, Glen Waverley, and Christ Church Grammar, South Yarra, both of which made the state's top 20, is a real testament to what a focused, primary-only school environment can achieve.

Melbourne isn't the only place where private primary education is thriving. Several regional Victorian schools made the national top 100, including Ballarat Clarendon College (11th in Victoria), Westbourne Grammar (37th), Geelong Grammar School (58th), and Geelong College (63rd).

For families outside the city, this is genuinely encouraging, meaning high-quality private education is more accessible regionally than many parents realise.

How Victoria's Top 100 Private Primary Schools are Ranked

The Herald Sun's analysis crunched data on more than 2,000 private primary schools across Australia, looking at Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN scores (the national literacy and numeracy benchmarks), student-to-staff ratios, socio-educational advantage, and pupil attendance levels.

The Big Picture for Victorian Parents

What this list tells us is that Victoria's private school sector — across both the Catholic and independent streams — is performing exceptionally well by national standards. Whether you're drawn to a large Prep-to-Year-12 campus with every facility imaginable, or a smaller standalone primary with a tight-knit community feel, there are outstanding options across the state.

Of course, rankings are just one piece of the puzzle. The "best" private primary school in Victoria is ultimately the one where your child feels known, challenged and happy. But as a starting point for your research? This list is a pretty great place to begin.

The Top 100 Private Primary Schools in Victoria For 2026

 

1. Presbyterian Ladies' College, Burwood — national rank 3
2. Haileybury College, Keysborough — national rank 4
3. Camberwell Grammar School, Canterbury — national rank 7
4. St Andrews Christian College, Wantirna South — national rank 10
5. Fintona Girls' School, Balwyn — national rank 11
6. Lauriston Girls' School, Armadale — national rank 14
7. Kilvington Grammar School, Ormond — national rank 18
8. Camberwell Girls Grammar School, Canterbury — national rank 20
9. Huntingtower School, Mount Waverley — national rank 22
10. Korowa Anglican Girls' School, Glen Iris — national rank 24
11. Ballarat Clarendon College, Ballarat — national rank 26
12. Scotch College, Hawthorn — national rank 27
13. Melbourne Grammar School, Melbourne — national rank 29
14. Mentone Girls' Grammar School, Mentone — national rank 34
15. Methodist Ladies' College, Kew — national rank 36
16. Ruyton Girls' School, Kew — national rank 39
17. Toorak College, Mount Eliza — national rank 40
18. St Christopher's School, Glen Waverley — national rank 42
19. St Catherine's School, Toorak — national rank 43
20. Christ Church Grammar School, South Yarra — national rank 44
21. The Knox School, Wantirna South — national rank 47
22. Trinity Grammar School Kew, Kew — national rank 49
23. St Kevin's College, Toorak — national rank 52
24. Caulfield Grammar School, St Kilda East — national rank 58
25. Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, Ivanhoe — national rank 59
26. Kingswood College, Box Hill — national rank 60
27. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Kew — national rank 61
28. Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School, Keilor East — national rank 63
29. Melbourne Girls Grammar, South Yarra — national rank 64
30. Lysterfield Lake College, Narre Warren North — national rank 71
31. Firbank Grammar School, Brighton — national rank 73
32. Strathcona Baptist Girls' Grammar, Canterbury — national rank 76
33. Sholem Aleichem College, Elsternwick — national rank 77
34. Waverley Christian College, Wantirna South — national rank 79
35. Fitzroy Community School, Fitzroy North — national rank 84
36. St Margaret's Berwick Grammar, Berwick — national rank 85
37. Westbourne Grammar School, Truganina — national rank 91
38. Yarra Valley Grammar, Ringwood — national rank 92
39. St Dominic's School, Camberwell — national rank 97
40. Erasmus Primary School, Hawthorn — national rank 99
41. Tintern Grammar, Ringwood East — national rank 101
42. Wesley College, Melbourne — national rank 102
43. Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School, Essendon — national rank 105
44. St Anne's School, Kew East — national rank 110
45. Brighton Grammar School, Brighton — national rank 111
46. The King David School, Armadale — national rank 112
47. St Leonard's College, Brighton East — national rank 113
48. Oxley Christian College, Chirnside Park — national rank 114
49. Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School, Croydon Hills — national rank 124
50. St Cecilia's School, Glen Iris — national rank 126
51. Donvale Christian College, Donvale — national rank 133
52. Heathdale Christian College, Werribee — national rank 135
53. Alphington Grammar School, Alphington — national rank 137
54. St Michael's Grammar School, St Kilda — national rank 140
55. Sacre Coeur, Glen Iris — national rank 142
56. Lighthouse Christian College, Keysborough — national rank 146
57. Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe — national rank 148
58. Geelong Grammar School, Corio — national rank 149
59. Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Bacchus Marsh — national rank 154
60. St Bernard's School, Coburg — national rank 156
61. Our Lady of Perpetual Succour School, Surrey Hills — national rank 163
62. Northside Christian College, Bundoora — national rank 183
63. The Geelong College, Newtown — national rank 185
64. St Joseph's School, Elsternwick — national rank 194
65. Lighthouse Christian College Cranbourne, Cranbourne — national rank 195
66. St Mary's School, Malvern East — national rank 198
67. Mentone Grammar School, Mentone — national rank 205
68. Loreto Mandeville Hall, Toorak — national rank 207
69. Nunawading Christian College - Primary, Nunawading — national rank 219
70. Sacred Heart School, Oakleigh — national rank 222
71. Harkaway Hills College, Narre Warren North — national rank 226
72. Xavier College, Kew — national rank 229
73. St Francis Xavier Primary School, Montmorency — national rank 242
74. Holy Trinity Primary School, Eltham North — national rank 245
75. Mary Immaculate School, Ivanhoe — national rank not available
76. Bialik College, Hawthorn — national rank not available
77. St Francis Xavier's School, Box Hill — national rank not available
78. St Joseph's School, Hawthorn — national rank not available
79. St Gregory the Great School, Doncaster — national rank not available
80. St Roch's School, Glen Iris — national rank not available
81. Beth Rivkah Ladies College, St Kilda East — national rank not available
82. Holy Family School, Mount Waverley — national rank not available
83. Southern Cross Grammar, Caroline Springs — national rank not available
84. Our Lady Help of Christians School, Brunswick East — national rank not available
85. Peninsula Grammar, Mount Eliza — national rank not available
86. Our Holy Redeemer School, Surrey Hills — national rank not available
87. St Fidelis' School, Moreland — national rank not available
88. St Margaret's Primary School, Maribyrnong — national rank not available
89. Genazzano FCJ College, Kew — national rank not available
90. Sacred Heart School, Sandringham — national rank not available
91. St Bernadette's School, Ivanhoe — national rank not available
92. Our Lady of Lourdes School, Prahran — national rank not available
93. Casey Grammar School, Cranbourne East — national rank not available
94. Mount Scopus Memorial College, Burwood — national rank not available
95. Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Deepdene — national rank not available
96. Christway College, Clarinda — national rank not available
97. St Therese's School, Essendon — national rank not available
98. Cornish College, Bangholme — national rank not available
99. St Michael's School, Ashburton — national rank not available
100. Sidrah Gardens School, Narre Warren North — national rank not available

FAQs

How often is this list updated?

The Herald Sun's analysis is not published on a fixed annual schedule, so the most recent rankings should be treated as a current, but not permanent, snapshot. NAPLAN data itself is collected every year in May, and schools' results can shift meaningfully over time as cohorts change, leadership evolves, or new programs bed in. 

Do Catholic schools and independent schools compete in the same ranking?

Yes, the Herald Sun analysis puts all private schools, whether Catholic systemic, independent Christian, Anglican, or non-denominational, into the same pool. They're assessed against the same four criteria: NAPLAN scores, student-to-staff ratios, socio-educational advantage and attendance. 

What is NAPLAN and how much does it really matter?

NAPLAN — the National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy — is a standardised test sat by all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It assesses reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. Results place students on a national proficiency scale, making it possible to compare performance across schools, states and sectors.

How much does it matter? That depends on who you ask. Supporters argue that it provides an objective, like-for-like measure of academic achievement that cuts through glossy prospectuses and open-day spin. Critics point out that it captures a narrow slice of what education should be — it won't tell you anything about a school's arts program, how kindly teachers speak to children, or whether your kid will make lifelong friends there.

For the purposes of this ranking, NAPLAN is a significant component — but it's weighted alongside other factors. Think of it as a useful signal, not the whole story. A school with outstanding NAPLAN scores but enormous class sizes and poor attendance rates may not actually be delivering the individual attention your child needs.

What should I look for beyond the rankings when choosing a primary school?

Quite a lot, actually. Here's what experienced school-choosers — and educators themselves — say matters most:

Values alignment. Does the school's ethos match your family's? Whether that's a strong faith tradition, an emphasis on outdoor learning, an inclusive approach to diverse learners, or a rigorous academic culture. Community feel. Attend the open day and trust your gut. Are the current parents warm? Do the kids seem happy and engaged? Is the principal someone who knows students by name? Culture is hard to fake when you're wandering the actual corridors.

Class sizes and staffing. A stellar NAPLAN average means less if your child is one of 30 in a classroom. Ask specifically about average class sizes in the year levels you're considering, not just the school-wide student-to-teacher ratio.

Specialist programs. What does the school offer beyond core subjects? Strong music, languages, sport, STEM, performing arts or extension programs can make an enormous difference to a child's engagement and confidence.

Approach to learning differences. Ask directly: how does the school support children who learn differently, whether that's giftedness, dyslexia, anxiety or anything in between? The answer will tell you a lot about the school's values in practice.

Practical stuff. Location, before-and-after school care, sibling enrolment policies, uniform costs, and the vibe of the school fete. These things sound mundane, but they shape your daily life for six or seven years.

Should I choose a co-ed or single-sex school?

This is one of the most-debated questions in Australian education, and the honest answer is: the research is genuinely mixed, and the right answer depends on your child.

What we do know is that Victoria's top-ranked all-girls schools — PLC, Fintona, Lauriston, Camberwell Girls Grammar, Korowa, Mentone Girls Grammar and Ruyton — are producing outstanding academic results. Proponents of single-sex schooling argue that girls in particular thrive when they're freed from gendered social dynamics, are more likely to pursue STEM subjects, and develop stronger leadership confidence. For boys, advocates of single-sex schooling point to fewer distractions and environments specifically designed around how boys learn and play.

On the other hand, many families feel strongly that learning alongside the opposite sex better reflects the real world and builds social confidence. Co-educational schools also often have a broader range of co-curricular activities and a different social energy that suits many children beautifully.

The most useful question isn't "which is better?" but "which suits this child?" 

At what age should I start looking at private primary schools, and when do I need to apply?

Earlier than you probably think. For Melbourne's most sought-after private primary schools, waitlists can open from birth, and some families register within weeks of a child being born. Schools like PLC, Scotch College and Fintona are known to have long waitlists, and registering when your child is three or four is not unusual.

The golden rule: don't wait until your child is in kindergarten to start looking. By then, your options at the most competitive schools may already be limited.

What is the top private primary school in Victoria?

Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC) in Burwood is ranked as the top private primary school in Victoria in the latest rankings.

What are the top 5 private primary schools in NSW?

Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC) in Burwood, Haileybury College, Keysborough, Camberwell Grammar School, Canterbury, St Andrews Christian College, Wantirna South, and Fintona Girls' School, Balwyn are the top five private schools in Victoria. 

These results were published in The Daily Telegraph.

Parents can visit ACARA for more information about NAPLAN.

—

About ellaslist

ellaslist is a trusted local guide for families across Sydney and NSW, written by parents and family lifestyle editors who understand what makes an outing with kids genuinely work. Our team researches and curates the best family-friendly events, attractions, playgrounds, restaurants and school holiday activities, with practical details on age suitability, accessibility, parking, public transport, facilities and family-friendly tips.

More Parenting Reads

NSW's Top Public & Private Primary Schools Revealed
The Best School Holiday Activities & Programs in Melbourne
Finish Unveils Recyclable Packaging to Reduce Plastic

 

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!