Three New Select-Entry Schools and Six Academic Achiever Conversions

Coalition commitment, announced on 20 September 2026 by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, to establish three new select-entry high schools in Melbourne's outer suburbs by 2030 and convert six existing schools to an academic-achiever focus, which the Coalition says would roughly double the number of selective places. Proposed locations are in the west (Melton, Caroline Springs or Sydenham), the north (Craigieburn or Roxburgh Park) and the south-east (Langwarrin or Cranbourne South). Wilson said thousands of students sit the select-entry exam each year and too many miss out because there are not enough places. Opposition education spokesperson Brad Rowswell said selection must be accessible and not based on postcode. No cost was published with the announcement. Context: Victoria currently has four fully selective secondary schools; the Coalition cited New South Wales, which has 21 fully selective and 26 partially selective schools, as its comparison. Note for voters: no response from the government, the education sector or independent experts was recorded in the reporting of this announcement at the time it was made, so this entry reflects the Coalition's stated position only. Selective schooling is a contested area of education policy: supporters argue it extends opportunity to high-achieving students regardless of family means, while critics argue it can concentrate advantage and draw resources and high-performing students away from neighbourhood schools. VoteWise will add sourced responses as they are published.