Hillcrest Christian College (Vic)

What Hillcrest Christian College (Vic) does

Hillcrest Christian College is an independent, interdenominational, co-educational Christian school operating on a 138-acre campus at 700 Bells Road, Clyde North, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1981 in Nyora by Barry and Gwenyth Rodgers and relocated to its current site in 1996, the college now serves approximately 1,300+ students from 3-Year-Old Early Learning Centre through Year 12 under the oversight of parent entity CREST Education Ltd. Curriculum is delivered as an integration of the Victorian Curriculum and a Christian worldview, with senior students offered three distinct pathways — VCE, VCE Vocational Major, and the IB Diploma Programme — together with VET studies including a 22647VIC Certificate III in Equine Studies delivered via the on-campus Ayr Hill Equestrian Centre, for which CREST Education holds RTO 6441 status.

The college's operating model is tuition-led, with annual fees structured as a subscription across ELC–Year 12 and supplemented by one-time application ($100), acceptance ($300), and placement-confirmation ($500) fees, scheduled tuition discounts (3% annual, 2% bi-annual, sibling), a means-tested Access Award of up to 50% off tuition for Years 9–12, and an academic/arts/sport scholarship programme. Ancillary revenue streams include technology device charges ($225 iPad Years 4–6, $450 laptop Years 7–10), bus services through partner Dhillon Bus Charters (GPS-tracked, tap-on/tap-off), uniform pass-through via Noone Imagewear, and Flexischools/OSHClub integrations. Supporting infrastructure includes a 500-seat Performing Arts Theatre, 25-acre Environmental Reserve with 19,000 native trees, STEM and Film & Media Centres, and the new (July 2024) two-story CREST Senior Learning Centre at 90 Ferdinand Drive.

Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and geographically concentrated in southeast Melbourne, with families applying online through a Digistorm-powered enrolment form, attending scheduled school tours, and accessing virtual Matterport tours. The school is supported by the Crest Connect parent portal and active social channels, and is part of the broader CREST Education precinct alongside sister school Rivercrest Christian College. There is no evidence of external private equity or public-market ownership, and the institution is structured as a not-for-profit educational organisation.

Name

Hillcrest Christian College (Vic)

Legal name

Hillcrest Christian College

Website

https://hillcrest.vic.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hillcrest Christian College is an independent, interdenominational K–12 Christian school in Clyde North, Victoria, serving 1,300+ students from 3-Year-Old ELC to Year 12, with VCE, VCE VM, IB, and VET pathways, on-campus equestrian RTO, and CREST Education Ltd oversight.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-12 Christian Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

Keywords

• Christian education
• Independent K-12 school
• Victorian Curriculum delivery
• IB diploma programme
• Vocational equine studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Clyde North

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees charged per student across ELC to Year 12, with discounts for annual or bi-annual payment. Fee calculator available on website with year-level based pricing.
2. Application and Enrollment Fees: $100 non-refundable application fee per child; $300 non-refundable acceptance fee; $500 confirmation of placement fee credited to first year account.
3. Bus Services: School bus services through partnership with Dhillon Bus Charters, with GPS tracking and tap-on/tap-off technology. Bus fee schedule published separately.
4. Uniform Sales: Uniform sales through official supplier Noone Imagewear, with new and pre-owned options available.
5. Technology Device Charges: iPad charge of $225 for Years 4-6 over 3-year period; Laptop charge of $450 for Years 7-10 over 4-year period.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hillcrest Christian College is an independent, interdenominational, co-educational Christian school providing education from 3-Year-Old Early Learning Centre through Year 12 to approximately 1,300+ students on a 138-acre campus in Clyde North, Victoria. The college delivers the Victorian Curriculum integrated with a Christian worldview, spanning the ELC, Primary (Prep–Year 6), Secondary (Years 7–10), and the CREST Senior Learning Precinct (Years 11–12) with VCE, VCE Vocational Major, IB Diploma, and VET pathways. Supporting services include the Ayr Hill Equestrian Centre (RTO 6441), school bus services, uniform supply, and digital learning tools such as the Crest Connect parent portal.

Product overview

Hillcrest Christian College is an independent, interdenominational, co-educational Christian school serving around 1300+ students from 3-Year-Old ELC to Year 12. The institution operates a single unified educational offering centered on Christian worldview and Victorian Curriculum delivery. The portfolio comprises the core Early Learning Centre (3-4YO), Primary School (ELC-Year 6), Secondary School (Years 7-10), and the CREST Senior Learning Centre (Years 11-12). The Senior Learning Centre provides three distinct qualification pathways: VCE, VCE Vocational Major, and IBDP. Supporting programs include the Ayr Hill Equestrian Centre with Certificate III in Equine Studies, VEX Robotics, and Human Powered Vehicles. The Crest Connect parent portal provides digital access to academic information, while Access Awards and Scholarship Programs support financial accessibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CREST Senior Learning Centre: A dedicated Year 11 & 12 facility offering VCE, VCE VM, IB Diploma Programme, and VET pathways.
• CREST

Products and services

• Early Learning Centre (ELC) 3-Year-Old and 4-Year-Old kindergarten program with a play-based curriculum guided by Biblical principles and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). 4YO ELC runs Monday–Wednesday, 3YO ELC runs Thursday–Friday, both 8:45am–3:00pm. For families seeking quality early childhood education integrated with Christian values.
• Primary School (ELC – Year 6) Primary education from Prep to Year 6 following the Victorian Curriculum with differentiated, inquiry-based learning. Focuses on instilling essential knowledge, conceptual understandings, Christian values, and foundations for future learning. For families seeking primary education that develops faith, character, understanding, and service.
• Secondary School (Year 7 – 10) Secondary education for Years 7 to 10 including robotics, outdoor education, music, sports, science labs, arts, writing, problem-solving, and community service. Emphasises faith formation, character building, creative and critical thinking, collaboration, and service learning. For families seeking secondary education that develops deep thinking about faith and prepares students for senior secondary pathways.
• CREST Senior Learning Centre (Year 11 & 12) Senior secondary campus offering three pathways – VCE, VCE Vocational Major, and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) – plus VET studies in a modern pre-tertiary learning environment. For Years 11 & 12 students seeking pre-tertiary qualifications with integrated wellbeing services and university preparation.
• VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) Victorian Certificate of Education – a secondary certificate providing pathways to further study or training at university or TAFE and to employment. Students select from a broad range of subjects reflecting their talents and goals, and can complete VCE with or without ATAR.
• VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) Vocational pathway preparing students for apprenticeships, traineeships, further education, university (non-ATAR pathways), or workforce entry. Focuses on Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development Skills, and Work Related Skills.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Two-year internationally recognised qualification for Years 11 & 12, with a holistic educational philosophy spanning six subject groups (Language & Literature, Individuals & Societies, Mathematics, The Arts, Sciences, Language Acquisition) plus the DP Core (TOK, CAS, Extended Essay).
• Certificate III in Equine Studies (22647VIC) 22647VIC Certificate III in Equine Studies – a competency-based nationally accredited qualification offered as a 2-year course. Can contribute to Senior Students' ATAR scores. Delivered through face-to-face weekly sessions on Wednesday afternoons or flexible online with holiday sessions.
• Ayr Hill Equestrian Centre & VET On-campus equestrian centre with 2,600 m² Covered Sand Arena, warm-up arena, two additional sand arenas, 10-acre grass polo field, 10 stables, wash bays, and undercover yards. Offers an elective for Years 5-9 and Certificate III in Equine Studies (22647VIC) for Years 10-12, delivered by RTO 6441.
• VEX Robotics Program STEM-focused robotics program using the VEX Robotics Design System. Teams have won multiple National Championships and participated in World Championships in the United States.
• Human Powered Vehicles (HPV) Environmental and sustainability program where students build and rebuild single-person vehicles. Focuses on green technology, planning, competitive racing, and the vehicle building process.
• Access Awards Means-tested financial assistance for families who cannot afford full fees. Available to Years 9-12 students, providing up to 50% off tuition fees until Year 12 completion. Based on family financial circumstances and student criteria including demonstration of Christian values, academic effort, and community participation.
• Scholarship Program Academic, Arts, Sport, Spiritual Leadership, and Community Service scholarships for internal and external students in Years 7-12. Student-led application process aligned with the American college application model. Includes Edutest external examination for academic scholarships.
• School Bus Services School bus services through partnership with Dhillon Bus Charters, with buses equipped with heating, air-conditioning, seat belts, GPS tracking and tap-on/tap-off technology. GPS tracking allows parents to track live bus location and receive notifications when children tap on/off using their College Student ID card.

Quantifiable outcome

• VEX Robotics teams have won National Championships multiple times and participated in World Championships in the United States
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dhillon Bus CharterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew partnership for school bus services. Buses equipped with heating, air-conditioning, seat belts, GPS tracking and tap-on/tap-off technology. GPS tracking allows parents to track live bus location and receive notifications when children tap on/off using College Student ID card.
• Eastern College (CITE Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian Initial Teacher Education (CITE) Alliance partnership with Eastern College and four other Christian schools (Donvale, Chairo, Flinders, and Waverley Christian Colleges). Holistic approach to teacher formation preparing pre-service teachers for careers in Christian schools. Students paid to work at schools while studying.
• Noone ImagewearcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial uniform supplier for Hillcrest Christian College. Located in Beaconsfield, open 6 days per week. Provides new and pre-owned uniform options with range of payment methods.
• B2Me AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital business directory partnership providing CREST community members opportunity to do business with each other. Supports community relationships and authentic connections within the Crest Education community.
• EdutestcoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal examination provider for scholarship testing. Manages scholarship test registration and administration for academic, sport, and performing arts scholarship applicants.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Donvale Christian College: Sister CITE Alliance Christian K-12 school in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, offering overlapping ELC-Year 12 programs and Christian education directly comparable to Hillcrest's value proposition.
• Beaconhills College: Large independent P-12 school in Pakenham, neighbouring Hillcrest's catchment in the Casey/Cardinia growth corridor and competing for the same families.
• Flinders Christian Community College: CITE Alliance partner operating Christian K-12 education across multiple campuses in south-east Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula—closest comparable to Hillcrest's multi-pathway, multi-campus Christian model.
• Chairo Christian School: CITE Alliance Christian K-12 school with multiple campuses across Gippsland and south-east Melbourne—directly comparable interdenominational Christian education competitor.
• Waverley Christian College: Member of the CITE Alliance with Hillcrest, operating a multi-campus Christian K-12 model in Melbourne's south-east—directly competing for Casey/Cardinia families.
• Rivercrest Christian College: Sister school within CREST Education Ltd, located on the same Clyde North precinct and offering ELC to Year 10 with IB curriculum—the most directly comparable peer by ownership, location, and Christian K-12 offering.

Broad incumbents

• Haileybury: One of Australia's largest independent schools with multiple Victorian campuses; offers K-12 education including IB Diploma and competing for high-end Casey/Cardinia families seeking premium schooling.
• Melbourne Grammar School: Established Victorian independent school (P-12) with broad non-denominational positioning; competes for the same elite-school-seeking families and benchmarks against Christian independents like Hillcrest.

Emerging players

• Cornish College: Independent K-12 Christian school in Melbourne's south-east that competes with Hillcrest for similar faith-aligned families while offering IB pathways—comparable niche but smaller scale.

Others

• Eastern College Australia: Christian higher education institution partnered with Hillcrest through the CITE Alliance to deliver teacher training; comparable as a faith-aligned education provider and ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/HillcrestChristianCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/Hillcrestvic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/hillcrest-christian-college-vic-
• Instagraminstagram.com/hillcrestccvic

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hillcrest Christian College (Vic)