Geelong parents enrolling babies to beat ‘competitive’ private school waitlists

Private school waitlists have become so competitive that Geelong parents register babies before their second birthday to guarantee spots at elite institutions.

Melanie Hustler and son Paddy, 5, who is starting primary school next year. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Melanie Husler enrolled her children in school while she was still changing their nappies in an effort to combat “competitive” private school waitlists – and she’s not alone.

The Highton mum registered her sons Alby, now 9, and Paddy, now 5, at Christian College before either had turned two.

To help guarantee their spots at the private school, Ms Husler signed up both boys at Williams House Kindergarten in Belmont.

“I knew what I wanted, so for me it was just knowing that would ensure his place,” she said.

Ms Husler said many of her friends had given much thought to where they would send their toddlers and babies to school.

“I think if you want to send them to a private school, you have to,” she said.

“People are doing what they need to do to get their children into school.

“For us, kinder obviously was an important stepping stone to get a place at Christian College … and I know some of the other private schools are the same.”

Melanie Hustler and son Paddy. Picture: Alison Wynd

Geelong Lutheran College, Kardinia International College and The Geelong College are other local schools with a connected kindergarten.

Kardinia principal Catherine Lockhart said the school had a “healthy waitlist” across every year level but declined to disclose exact numbers.

“Our junior school has only three classes per year and there are very infrequent vacancies, so places rarely become available after our three-year-old kindergarten intake,” she said.

“We almost triple the size of enrolments in the senior school with Year 7 being our main intake year.“

Kardinia charges a $250 application fee for local students.

Application fees do not count towards enrolment costs and are often non-refundable.

Geelong Grammar’s application fee is $350, jumping to $500 for overseas students, while The Geelong College’s registration fee is $500.

Principal Simon Young said The Geelong College had waitlists at every year level for 2026 and most for 2027 but did not reveal the extent of waitlist.

“We encourage families to start thinking about education early and register for enrolment as soon as they think TGC may be an option for them,” he said.

“Many families register within the child’s first year.”

Catholic schools St Joseph’s College Geelong (SJC) and St Ignatius do not have a registration fee.

A SJC spokesman said registrations had continued to increase in recent years, jumping from 336 for Year 7 in 2025 to 364 in 2026.

The Year 7 waitlist for 2026, he said, had about 20 students.

“We have spots available at some year levels each year depending on movement at the end of a year with families moving to or from the area,” the spokesman said.

A Christian College spokesman said waitlist numbers had reduced in the past year, largely due to the school’s expansion of the Surf Coast campus.

“In order to provide the best opportunity to secure a place at Christian College and to avoid disappointment, families should commence the enrolment process as early as possible,” he said.

Originally published as Geelong parents enrolling babies to beat ‘competitive’ private school waitlists