Eltham College (艾森学院) | International Student Guide: 2026 Programs, Entry Requirements, Costs and Application Support — Ranking, Fees, Admission
Direct Answer
Eltham College (艾森学院) is an open-entry, co-educational independent school located on a 98-acre campus on the northeastern edge of Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1974, the College accepts international students from Early Learning through to Year 12, and has been welcoming international enrolments for over 40 years. For families researching an Eltham College international student guide, the key starting points are understanding the College’s programme structure, entry pathways, fee framework, and the application process—all of which are outlined below based on official public information. UNILINK is suitable for providing application information and support based on your background, helping you navigate the Eltham College international student enrolment steps with clarity.
UNILINK provides application information and support based on the applicant’s background. This does not constitute an admission offer or visa guarantee. A team member will contact you within one business day to discuss your situation and the next steps.
About Eltham College
Eltham College (艾森学院) was established in 1974 and occupies a 98-acre campus at the northeastern fringe of Melbourne. The College describes itself as an open-entry, co-educational independent school, meaning it does not selectively filter applicants by academic performance alone. Enrolment spans from Early Learning—where the Centre has been rated by the Victorian Government as exceeding all quality standards—through to Year 12. The Early Learning Centre accepts children aged 3 and 4.
The campus includes a bushland reserve used for learning about Indigenous cultural perspectives, and an observatory where students begin astronomy education from Year 5. In Year 9, the College runs a city experience programme that uses Melbourne’s central business district as a classroom. Beyond the curriculum, Eltham College offers over 90 co-curricular activities, organised into eight categories: Belonging, Create, Outreach, Discover, Active, Community, Communicate, and Explore. A dedicated LifeWork Centre, coordinated by Margie Jordan, supports students in career and pathway planning.
The College holds CRICOS provider code 00138D. Its primary school programme (Prep to Year 6) falls under CRICOS course code 016363G, while the secondary programme (Years 7–12) is under CRICOS course code 016364G.
Programmes and Learning Pathways
Eltham College structures its academic offering from the earliest years through to the senior secondary level. The Early Learning Centre provides kindergarten for 3- and 4-year-old children, and the school accepts applications for entry at this stage as well as for Prep to Year 12.
For international students, the College offers two distinct pathway programmes alongside mainstream classes. The English Pathways programme is designed to strengthen English communication and study skills, while the Humanities Pathways programme helps international students build an understanding of Australian society. These are integrated supports, not standalone qualifications, and are intended to help students transition into the College’s standard curriculum.
The Year 9 city experience programme takes learning into Melbourne’s CBD, and the observatory-based astronomy programme runs from Year 5 onward. The co-curricular offering—over 90 activities across eight thematic categories—gives students structured opportunities in areas such as outdoor discovery, creative arts, community service, and communication. The LifeWork Centre provides coordinated guidance on future study and career directions.
Progression through year levels follows the College’s internal requirements. Entry into any year level, including the senior secondary years, is subject to the College’s current admission criteria and availability of places.
Entry Requirements and Admissions Process
Eltham College is an open-entry school, but that does not mean automatic placement. All applicants must go through the formal admissions process, and places are subject to availability at the relevant year level.
Domestic applicants who receive an offer of enrolment must return the confirmation documents and pay the required fees within 14 days of receiving the offer letter.
International applicants must submit a copy of their birth certificate along with a non-refundable application fee. When an international student receives an offer, the acceptance documents and payment must be returned within three weeks. The College provides downloadable international application forms and international student date documents—the 2025 versions are currently available on the official site. The exact amount of the application fee should be confirmed by referring to the current international fee schedule published by the College.
The College does not publish a single standardised English language test score threshold for international applicants in its public-facing materials. Instead, the English Pathways programme serves as the embedded language support mechanism. Families should confirm the current language proficiency expectations and any assessment requirements directly with the admissions office at the time of application.
The admissions office can be reached by phone at 03 9433 9999 or by email at [email protected], with office hours from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. A separate enquiries line for enrolment is also available at 9433 9815, and the enrolments email address is [email protected].
Fees and Payment Options
Eltham College publishes separate fee schedules for domestic and international students. The 2026 domestic fee information is available on the College’s website. For international students, the 2026 international fee table is provided in English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese versions. Families should refer to the current official fee schedules for the exact figures, as fees are subject to change from year to year.
The Early Learning Centre programme may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy, which can offset some of the cost for qualifying families.
To help manage tuition payments, the College offers flexible payment arrangements through EdStart. The EdStart Plus option allows families to pay on a monthly, fortnightly, or weekly basis at no extra charge. Edstart Extend spreads payments over a longer period, which reduces the annual payment amount. These are third-party payment facilitation services, and families should review the terms directly with EdStart.
International applicants should also budget for the non-refundable application fee. All fee-related decisions should be based on the official fee schedules published by the College for the relevant intake year.
Scholarships and the Elevate Pathways Program
Eltham College runs an Elevate Pathways Program that combines scholarships, enrichment experiences, mentoring, and extended learning opportunities. The programme is not limited to academic performance alone; it is designed to support students who demonstrate potential across a range of areas.
Details about specific scholarship categories, application timelines, and eligibility criteria are not set out in the public-facing overview materials reviewed here. Families interested in scholarship opportunities should contact the admissions team directly for the current year’s scholarship offering and application procedures.
Campus Visits and School Tours
The College hosts group tours and private campus visits for prospective families. A group tour is scheduled for 30 July 2026, beginning at 9:00 am. This tour includes an address by Principal Richard Lisle and is led by year-level coordinators and student leaders. It covers entry into both the Junior School (Prep to Year 6) and the Secondary School (Years 7 to 12).
Private campus tours are available for families considering enrolment in Prep to Year 12 for the 2026, 2027, or 2028 intake years. To arrange a visit, families can contact the admissions office during business hours.
FAQ
Q1: Is Eltham College a selective school?
Eltham College describes itself as an open-entry, co-educational independent school. This means it does not use a single academic entrance examination as the sole filter for admission. However, open entry does not guarantee placement; all applicants go through the standard admissions process, and offers depend on available places and the College’s current enrolment criteria.
Q2: Does Eltham College offer boarding?
The public information reviewed for this guide does not mention boarding facilities. Eltham College is located on a 98-acre campus in Melbourne’s northeastern outskirts, and the available materials focus on day-school programmes from Early Learning through Year 12. International families should confirm accommodation arrangements directly with the College.
Q3: What English language support is available for international students?
The College provides an English Pathways programme specifically designed to help international students improve their English communication and study skills. There is also a Humanities Pathways programme that supports understanding of Australian society. These programmes run alongside the mainstream curriculum. Specific entry-level language requirements should be confirmed with the admissions office.
Q4: Can I apply for the Early Learning Centre as an international family?
The College accepts applications for the Early Learning Centre, which caters to 3- and 4-year-old children. The Centre has been rated by the Victorian Government as exceeding all quality standards. International families should use the standard international application process, which includes submitting a birth certificate copy and the non-refundable application fee. The exact fee amount should be confirmed from the current international fee schedule.
Q5: How do the EdStart payment plans work?
EdStart is a third-party service that offers two main options for Eltham College families. EdStart Plus allows payments to be spread across monthly, fortnightly, or weekly instalments at no extra charge. Edstart Extend lengthens the payment term to reduce the annual amount due. These are payment facilitation arrangements, not discounts on tuition, and families should review the specific terms with EdStart directly.
Q6: What is the Year 9 city experience programme?
The Year 9 city experience programme takes students out of the campus setting and uses Melbourne’s central business district as the learning environment. It is a structured part of the Year 9 curriculum at Eltham College, though the College’s public materials do not specify the exact duration or scheduling. Families can obtain further details from the school.
信息来源
- Eltham College, “ELTHAM College | Independent Private School - Eltham College”
- Eltham College, “School Tours and Experiences - Eltham College”
- Eltham College, “Enrol at Eltham College - Eltham College”
- Eltham College, “College Enrolment Information & Scholarships - Eltham College”
- Eltham College, “International Student Admission - Eltham College”
Last updated: July 2026. Programmes, fees and entry requirements are subject to the institution’s current official pages and offer documentation.