Applying to provide senior and foundation secondary education in a school

​What you need to know

Before a school can deliver a senior or foundation secondary course, it must register as a provider of that course. Schools can register to provide the:

  • Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
  • Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC)
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma).

Schools applying to provide senior or foundation secondary education need to show they comply with the minimum standards and other requirements for school registration.

They must also meet the minimum standards for registration to provide an accredited senior or foundation secondary course, as set out in Schedule 8 of the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017.

Independent schools can apply directly to us. Government and Catholic schools wishing to deliver senior or foundation secondary courses should contact their relevant offices.

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) authorises schools to deliver the VCE and VPC. Obtaining VCAA authorisation is part of our application process and is included in our application form.

Independent schools wishing to deliver the IB Diploma should first apply to the International Baccalaureate​ for authorisation.

For more information, see:

​Dates and timeline

For information about important dates in the registration process, including application closing dates, see:

​​​Pre-regis​​tration information sessions

We run information sessions each year before applications close. Anyone planning to apply is invited to attend. When available, details are listed on our Events page. You can also email us for more information.

Application form

Independent schools apply using the registration amendment form and the associated evidence checklist:

Application fee

A non-refundable fee applies to all applications. You can pay the fee online by credit card (Mastercard or Visa), BPAY or by Post Billpay.

To view the current fee or pay online, see: 

​Submitting your application

Collate your evidence into a portfolio. Include the completed application form, evidence checklist and portfolio, and submit an electronic copy of your application to the VRQA Schools inbox as a zip file via email:

Once we receive your complete application, we will email you an invoice for the application fee by way of acknowledgement.

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Assessing your application

Once you have paid the application fee, and provided your application is complete, we will assess your application against the minimum standards for registration. If necessary, we may request additional information.

New school applicants will be asked to attend a meeting, usually arranged within 4–6 weeks of applying.

You will be given one opportunity to re-submit any documentation found not to meet the minimum standards and requirements for registration.

Outcome of application

We will contact you when we have made a decision on your application. If we grant registration we will issue you a certificate of registration.

We will not grant registration unless we are satisfied that your school complies with the prescribed minimum standards and other requirements.

Once you are registered

We review all registered schools periodically. This happens no more than 5 years after the school's initial registration or previous review.

For more information, see: 

Appeals

A person whose interests are affected by a decision not to grant registration can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to review the decision. The application to VCAT must be made within 28 days of:

  • the day on which the VRQA makes a decision; or​
  • the day on which a statement of reasons is provided (if requested); or
  • the day on which the VRQA informs the applicant that a statement of reasons will not be given (if requested).​​​