The Victorian government has announced fourteen government schools and kindergartens across the state will be given Indigenous language names in the local language of the area they are located.

The names of the schools and kindergartens, which open next year, include words the Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Woi-wurrung languages and have been drawn from 700 suggestions.

The announcement comes on the back of the Victorian government's decision in March to change the Department of Education's School and Campus Naming Policy. The government stated the aim was to deliver more widespread use of First Nations languages when selecting school names.

As a result, it would ensure that only traditional groups will propose Aboriginal language names. The changes also mean that all new Government schools and campuses will have the proposed names preferenced to promote Indigenous self-determination.

The schools and kindergartens are spread across the state.

These include Yarrabing secondary college in Aintree; named after the Woi-wurrung word for 'white gum,' Brinbeal secondary college in Riverdale; from the Bunurong word meaning 'rainbow', and Laa Yulta primary school in Black Forest; originating from the Wadawurrung word for 'many stones.'

In addition to the 14 new schools opening next year with Indigenous names, several have already been opened or renamed in 2023.

These include Karwan primary school in Tarneit; named after the Bunurong word referring to the Nankeen kestrel, Kurrun primary school in the shire of Cardinia; named after the Bunurong word meaning 'wattle' and the Ngarri Primary school in Manor Lakes; named after the Wadawurrung word meaning 'sheoak'.

Victorian minister for early childhood and pre-prep, Ingrid Stitt, said the decision would help students learn more about the land they are on.

"We are so proud that our new kinder names reflect the land that they are on," Ms Stitt said.

"(This will) help our littlest learners understand the role First Nations Victorians play in our heritage and history."

Education minister, Natalie Hutchins, said the policy would provide an opportunity for growing communities understand local First Nations culture through place names.

"These 14 new schools will ensure growing communities have a great local education for their kids and a unique connection to the land through their Indigenous names," Ms Hutchins said.

In March, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams said that the naming of institutions, such as schools, "contributes to community understanding."

"This is particularly important on Victoria's path to Truth and Treaty with our First Peoples," Ms Williams said.

These new naming conventions are a taste of the future in Victoria. From 2025, all new state schools and campuses will have a First Nations language name.

A government statement noted that Victoria is the "first and only Australian jurisdiction to action the Treaty and Truth elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, with this latest naming policy another step in providing First Nations recognition in Victoria."