Learn Macedonian in Australia: Saturday Schools, VCE and HSC
You can learn Macedonian in Australia at government Saturday schools, community language schools and one long-running bilingual primary school. It is also a Year 12 subject in Victoria (VCE) and New South Wales (HSC). Most classes run on Saturday mornings during school terms. Below is a state-by-state guide, plus options for adults and online learners.
Why Saturday school still matters
Many second- and third-generation families tell the same story. The kids understand Baba, but they answer in English. A few hours a week in a classroom with other Macedonian kids can change that. Children learn to read and write in Cyrillic, sing songs, and meet friends who share their background.
Most programs are run by state education departments, Macedonian churches or community associations. Fees, days and year levels change from year to year, so always check with the school before you enrol.
Victoria: VSL centres, VCE and a bilingual primary school
Victorian School of Languages
The Victorian School of Languages (VSL) is a government school that teaches languages outside normal school hours. Its 2024 class list shows Macedonian at five centres:
- Altona North (at Bayside P-12 College)
- Keilor Downs (at Keilor Downs College)
- North Geelong (at North Geelong Secondary College)
- Point Cook (at Point Cook Senior Secondary College)
- Thomastown (at Thomastown Secondary College)
Classes are on Saturday mornings. VSL notes that some levels may not run if too few students enrol.
VCE Macedonian
Macedonian is a full VCE subject. The current study design started with Units 1 and 2 in 2024 and Units 3 and 4 in 2025. Students enrolling in Units 3 and 4 must declare whether they are a First Language or Second Language learner. They do this using a form lodged with their home school. Students can take VCE Macedonian through a VSL centre if their own school does not offer it.
Lalor North Primary School bilingual program
Lalor North Primary School, in Melbourne’s north, has run a Macedonian bilingual program since 1984. It covers Prep to Year 6, and about half of the curriculum is taught in Macedonian. SBS Macedonian marked its 35th anniversary in 2019. The school’s website describes it as one of the longest-running bilingual programs in Victoria. It is the only full bilingual Macedonian program we know of in Australia.
New South Wales: Secondary College of Languages and the HSC
Secondary College of Languages
The NSW Secondary College of Languages, once called the Saturday School of Community Languages, teaches Years 5 to 12 on Saturdays. Its campus list shows Macedonian at three campuses:
- Bankstown
- Kogarah
- Smiths Hill (Wollongong)
HSC Macedonian Continuers
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) offers Macedonian Continuers for Stage 6. There is a 2-unit Preliminary course in Year 11 and a 2-unit HSC course in Year 12. The current syllabus is dated 2023. NESA has eligibility rules for language courses, so check them with your school before enrolling.
Community Languages Schools Program
NSW also funds community language schools run by parents and community groups. These classes run outside school hours, often in public school buildings, and receive state government grants. NESA released a Macedonian K-10 syllabus that schools began using in Term 1, 2020. In the Illawarra, the folk dance groups MKUD Makedonija and MKUD Makedonski Biseri have both offered Macedonian classes alongside dance.
Other states and territories
Western Australia. The Macedonian Community Language School in Perth is listed with Community Languages WA. Contact is through the Macedonian Community of WA in North Perth.
ACT. The Macedonian School “St. Kliment of Ohrid” in Canberra teaches children from Kindergarten to Year 12. Classes are on Friday evenings during ACT school terms in Turner.
South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania. We do not yet have a confirmed school listing in these states. Ask at your local Macedonian church, as many parishes run or know of classes.
State-by-state summary
| State | Where | Who it suits | Year 12 option |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIC | VSL Saturday centres: Altona North, Keilor Downs, North Geelong, Point Cook, Thomastown | Primary and secondary students | VCE Macedonian |
| VIC | Lalor North Primary School bilingual program | Prep to Year 6 | Not applicable |
| NSW | Secondary College of Languages: Bankstown, Kogarah, Smiths Hill | Years 5 to 12 | HSC Macedonian Continuers |
| NSW | Community language schools, including Illawarra dance groups | Mostly primary-aged children | Not applicable |
| WA | Macedonian Community Language School, North Perth contact | School-aged children | Check with the school |
| ACT | St. Kliment of Ohrid school, Turner | Kindergarten to Year 12 | Check with the school |
| SA, QLD, TAS | Ask your local church or association | Varies | Check locally |
Last checked: October 2026. Centres and year levels can change each year, so confirm with the school directly.
University and adult learners
For many years, Macquarie University in Sydney was the main place in Australia to study Macedonian at university level. Older handbooks list units up to Advanced Macedonian III. We could not confirm which units, if any, run today, so check the current Macquarie handbook before you plan around it.
Adults have fewer formal options. Good places to start:
- Ask your church or community association whether they run adult evening classes.
- Sit in on your child’s Saturday class if the school allows parents. Many parents pick up reading this way.
- Learn the 31 letters first with our Macedonian alphabet guide.
- Practise everyday words with our 25 phrases every grandchild should know.
Free help at home and online
- SBS Macedonian. Free radio programs and podcasts in Macedonian, with many stories about the community here. Great for listening practice in the car.
- Languages Online. The Victorian Department of Education has free Macedonian activities for children, built by the Victorian School of Languages.
- Family. Ask Baba and Dedo to speak only Macedonian at one meal a week. Cooking together works well too. Our recipes are a good place to start.
- Church and events. Services, name day lunches and dance nights are full of everyday Macedonian. Check the events calendar.
Find a school near you, or list yours
We keep a growing list of schools on our Learn Macedonian page and in the community directory. If you run a Macedonian school, church class or tutoring group, please add it to the directory. It helps parents find you.
Know a class we have missed, or has a centre changed? Send us a message and we will update this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you study Macedonian for VCE?
Yes. Macedonian is a VCE subject, with the current study design starting in 2024. Students can take it at their own school or through a Victorian School of Languages centre.
Is Macedonian an HSC subject in NSW?
Yes. NESA offers Macedonian Continuers, a 2-unit Preliminary course and a 2-unit HSC course. Eligibility rules apply, so check with your school.
Where can my child learn Macedonian in Melbourne?
The Victorian School of Languages teaches Macedonian on Saturdays at Altona North, Keilor Downs, Point Cook, Thomastown and North Geelong. Lalor North Primary School also runs a Prep to Year 6 bilingual program.
Is there a Macedonian bilingual school in Australia?
Yes. Lalor North Primary School in Melbourne has run a Macedonian bilingual program since 1984, with about half of lessons taught in Macedonian.
Can adults learn Macedonian in Australia?
Yes, but options are limited. Ask your local church or association about evening classes, and use free resources such as SBS Macedonian and Languages Online.
Further reading: VCE Macedonian study design (VCAA) and Macedonian Continuers syllabus (NESA).
Прочитајте на македонски: Каде да се учи македонски во Австралија: училишта, VCE и HSC