The Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science was founded in Melbourne on 15 June 1854, at the instigation of William Sydney Gibbons. Its main purposes were stated to be: a means of communication between persons engaged in the pursuit of science; the cultivating of a refined taste among the people of Victoria; provide a source to which the community generally may look for information on scientific subjects; provide a centre for the collection of observations and specimens from all sources; provide an agency for the development of the resources of the colony. The Institute amalgamated with the Philosophical Society of Victoria in July 1855 to form the Philosophical Institute of Victoria.

The Philosophical Society of Victoria was founded in Melbourne on 12 August 1854, a few months after the Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science. The first meeting was called by Captain Andrew Clarke. The object of the Society was stated as 'embracing the whole field of science, with a special reference to the cultivation of those departments that are calculated to develop the natural resources of the country'. The Society amalgamated with the Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science in July 1855 to form the Philosophical Institute of Victoria.

The Philosophical Institute of Victoria was formed through the amalgamation of the Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science and the Philosophical Society of Victoria, the first meeting being held on 10 July 1855 at the Museum of Natural History. According to the amalgamation statement, 'the objects of the Philosophical Institute shall be the same as that of the Philosophical Society, and that the mode of operation of the new Institute shall be the same as that of the old Society'.

Towards the end of 1859 the members of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria sought approval to change their name to 'The Royal Society of Victoria'. Permission was granted and the first meeting was held on 21 December 1859 in the new hall built that year at 9 Victoria St, Melbourne (8 La Trobe St). See Science and the Making of Victoria.

The Microscopical Society of Victoria was formed in 1873, and amalgamated with the Royal Society of Victoria in July 1887, to form Section D, for the study of the microscope and its applications. The Microscopical Society of Victoria published a Quarterly Journal, vol. 1, pt 1 in August 1879, a Journal, vol. 1, nos 2 and 3, May 1880, to vol. 2, no. 1, April 1882, and Proceedings from vol. 1, May 27, 1912. The Microscopical Society separated from the Royal Society in 1908, although meetings continued to be held at the Royal Society's hall until around 1954-56, when the Microscopical Society became incorporated with the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria.