After the announcement from Premier Daniel Andrews this morning, students will begin virtual learning unless they are vulnerable, or children of essential workers.
"If you can work from home you must learn from home," Mr Andrews said.
Students who are currently completing VCE will continue to do so, but end of year exams have been postponed until December and universities will be asked to move the start of their first semester back in 2021.
Mr Andrews said he was confident Victoria could get students through the VCE by the end of the calendar year, but contingencies were being made in case it dragged into 2021.
"Our aim is to have that assessment and it may very different to the normal exam process, concluded before the end of this calendar year. Do we have a plan B? Of course we do. That would involve the assessment component – study up until the end of the year and some potential assessments in the early part of 2021."
The General Achievement Test (GAT) will also be moved back from June until October or November.
VCE study scores will continue to be a combination of school-based assessment and external exams. VCAL students will have more time to complete their courses and this will be consistent with the revised dates for the VCE.
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is also examining a compressed end-of-year exam schedule – including slightly shortening each exam – in recognition of the disruption caused by the pandemic.
Education Minister James Merlino said another plan could be deriving an ATAR ranking from GAT test, school-based assessments and year 11 work.
"My message to parents is, your child will finish the school year,” he said.
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