Opportunity classes (Year 5–6)
Opportunity classes are for high potential and gifted students in Year 5 and 6.
Parents and carers apply when their child is at the end Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4 for placement in Year 5. It is a 2-year program (Year 5 to 6). Parents and carers cannot apply for Year 6 placement only.
Types of opportunity classes
There are 89 opportunity classes in NSW. The types of opportunity classes are:
- primary schools with full-time opportunity classes
- Aurora College – providing online opportunity classes for rural and remote students.
Primary schools with opportunity classes
These schools have dedicated opportunity classes for high potential and gifted students.
There are 57 schools located in metropolitan Sydney and 31 schools located in rural and regional centres and 1 online school (Aurora College).
Students attend the opportunity classes full-time in Years 5 and 6.
In most cases, students who accept a place in an opportunity class will leave their current school to attend a school with an opportunity class.
You can apply for opportunity classes that are outside your local enrolment area.
Video – Hear from the students in OC
Video transcript: ‘Hear from the students – opportunity classes’ (duration 4 minutes and 41 seconds)
[Music]
What’s different about being in an opportunity class?
[Student 1]
Every day there's something new and you can't really expect to know what's going to happen.
[Student 2]
I feel like everyone works sort of at the same pace.
[Student 1]
I think the challenges are something that I really like about the OC class.
[Student 3]
The teaching from our amazing teacher and the different things that we do, it gives us an opportunity to learn and do things that we didn't do at our old school.
[Student 2]
I used to not really like maths as much, but I think at this new school I've sort of been pushed to do more fun things in maths and that's kind of made me enjoy it a little bit more than I have at my old school.
[Student 4]
More challenging and exciting, we are given tasks where we need to think creatively and think more deeply so we get to learn more and the lessons move faster.
[Student 2]
Where at like my old school, yes we did have you know like advanced maths and stuff, but then when you went into the next class it would just be basically revision of what you did before because that was the advanced that you were doing, it was just the regular thing. But in the OC because it's 2 years in a row, you do get to learn more than like more and more.
[Student 4]
Surrounded by classmates who enjoy learning and that inspires me to do my best.
What extra-curricular activities do you do?
[Student 4]
Competition like Write On, Maths Olympiad.
[Student 1]
Our sports, music and community language programs as well as the band program.
[Student 3]
And there are also extra things that we do, like cooking, it's amazing.
[Student 2]
I do do chess club on Tuesday mornings, so this morning I did go to chess club. I also do debating as well as everyone in our class and I feel like we do really well at that because we're very good at arguing. So that's a very fun co-curricular that we do as well.
What was it like making new friends?
[Student 2]
It seemed like our friendships were forming just from the second we met and so I didn't, I kind of expected it to be really slow like over a few weeks.
[Student 1]
OC students and other students share a lot in common and it's much easier than you would expect to find those commonalities and get together in a friend group.
[Student 4]
I did make more friends than I expected to.
Why did you want to go to an opportunity class?
[Student 1]
You get challenged and the activities that are put forward to you are not as easy as the previous activities and you don't finish them as quickly.
[Student 2]
We looked at it and my mum was like, wow it seems like you know you should really go.
[Student 4]
I thought that it would give me an opportunity to learn new things, do different tasks and maybe make new friends.
What’s a memorable moment from your opportunity class?
[Student 4]
When we created our country we had to think about all the things. It was quite challenging but presenting it in front of students and parents is extremely fun.
[Student 3]
At recess and lunch we used to sit in this spot, we used to call to the 5D hangout spot which was very nice and cool.
[Student 2]
The first day it was like, it was like oh wow this is really cool I want to keep coming back. And it turned out it wasn't just a one off thing, it was just like that all the time. You know meeting with friends, enjoying the time, having fun project based activities.
What would you say to someone thinking about applying?
[Student 2]
Give it a go because I mean if you never try the test you're never going to get in. So at least try the test and then you can really have a think about it.
[Student 4]
I'd say that if you enjoy learning the OC class is a great opportunity. You can find many friends, kind people and they can all help you.
[Student 3]
I thought it'd be more strict, a bit more easy but it was difficult, amazing, challenging and relaxed.
[Student 1]
The OC is for everyone who wants to extend themselves, who wants a challenge. And I think definitely everyone is welcome here at our OC class. It's easy to make friends, people are very welcoming.
[Student 3]
I'd say go for it. Do your thing.
[Student 2]
It's different, every day there's a new surprise. It's really, there's a lot of different activities that you can do and for the people who are faster there's always something else that you can do. So I would definitely recommend coming.
Video – A day in the life of an OC student
Transcript of video: “A day in the life of an OC student – Dural Public School” (duration 2.44)
[Nick]
Hi everyone. I'm Nick.
[Jaden]
And I'm Jaden.
[Nick]
Today we'll present to you the day in the life of an OC student.
[Jaden]
We wake up nice and early. Then we do our morning routine and head to school. We chat with our friends for a bit.
[Student 3]
Yeah. Also, do you know that science has proven that people who walk backwards live a longer life.
[Nick]
What? I must do that right now.
[Jaden]
But then the bell rings and we head to class.
We start the day with current affairs. It's a part of our homework and it's where we summarise recent news events and stories and then present it to the entire class on a given day. Here we have Elijah presenting.
[Nick]
Afterwards, we write our own headlines based on the story.
[Jaden]
And then we mark the roll as quickly as we can. In fact, it's a competition. I've got the best score, by the way.
Now it's the time for us to learn some new vocabulary. That's right, it's spelling. We go to our local arcade and play Pacman.
[Nick]
Just kidding. Instead, we play spelling Pacman. Here’s a little clip of how that turns out.
[Students cheering each other]
[Nick]
On Mondays, we do PE. Our first weekly exercise. We play fun games with all of the teachers and rotations.
[Jaden]
Recess time! Now we go outside and eat a small snack.
[Nick]
Afterwards we have a maths lesson. We do a mental quiz, then three problem solving questions. First we attempt them ourselves and then we're encouraged to work with our table and go over each question, helping our teammates fix mistakes and learn.
[Jaden]
Then we have the main lesson which is shown here.
[Nick]
Lunchtime!
[Jaden]
Time for an eating montage. A great time to play and hang out with your friends before going back to class.
On Wednesday afternoons, we usually do recorder. However, we decided to do it on Monday this time.
We started the new curriculum early and we are reading the book The Wild Robot for our English unit. We are studying narrative structure and we are writing our own sci-fi short story.
[Student 4]
I was climbing those cliffs when the rocks started to fall.
[Jaden]
Here are some more clips of us writing our short stories.
For geography this term we're learning about Asian culture and politics. We do this every Tuesday and once we finish geography, we end the day with another game.
Once we get home, we do some of our homework and work on some fun projects.
So, this is what life is like as an OC student in 6H. The opportunity class is a great experience, and we hope you can join our OC family here at Dural. OK. Bye for now.
[End of transcript]
Aurora College (online classes)
The department's Aurora College provides online opportunity classes for rural and remote students. Students attend their local ‘host’ NSW public school and join Aurora College’s online opportunity classes for science & technology, and mathematics.
Students must meet all the following criteria to be eligible for Aurora College:
- Be enrolled or planning to enrol in their local public school which is an authorised host school for Aurora.
- Reside in a rural and remote (not in city or regional areas).
- Be enrolled in their authorised host school before an offer can be accepted.
Two residential camps are held each year that include:
- practical face-to-face lessons
- specialist excursions
- opportunities for students to meet and socialise with their classmates.
There are approximately 600 Aurora College host primary schools available. Search the map below for one near you.
To apply for Aurora College, you must live in rural and remote location and choose an Aurora College host school.
Teaching in an opportunity class (video series)
Transcript of video: “What’s special about an opportunity class? – Teaching in an opportunity class” (duration 1:54)
[Opportunity class teacher]
Something that's really special about the OC is the dynamic within the classroom.
Seeing students around like-minded peers and having like-minded peers together in the one class is really a unique environment that I think is such a great aspect of the OC.
You see students that are sometimes very hesitant about coming into the opportunity class, but once they’re here they meet people that are like-minded, they meet people that like to engage in the same things they like to engage in and talk at the same level as they like to talk and have the same interests and have the same personalities.
So it's, it's really beautiful to see so many like-minded peers coming together in the opportunity class.
And I think that's something very unique to the opportunity class, just the dynamic of the classroom.
Another thing that's really special about the opportunity class is it's a really supportive environment. So within the opportunity class, we have this classroom culture where it's okay to make mistakes, and especially in those high challenge environments, that is proof that we're learning and we're doing our best and we've got a ‘where to next’, in our learning.
Another special dynamic of the class is the growth that they have over the two-year placement within the opportunity class.
I find that, you know, having been in the [Year] 5 and 6 for some time now, seeing the growth of the students that come in in Year 5, and they almost have the year sixes as those little mini role models. And you just see so much progress and growth from them throughout the two-year placement. It's so valuable and, I’m really proud of the growth that I see every year from that two-year placement that's available within the opportunity class.
[End transcript]
Transcript of video: “What teaching methods do you use? – Teaching in an opportunity class” (duration 1:39)
[Opportunity class teacher]
A lot of the pedagogies and teaching methods that I use in the opportunity class are very similar to any other class in terms of it's all about high expectations. It's all about explicit teaching. It's all about high quality feedback that is providing direction for students’ learning.
Something that does differ in the pedagogy in the opportunity class is generally, we will tend to move through concepts a little bit quicker. So we'd call that curriculum compacting. We also, you know, engage with acceleration. So we might move beyond the stage based recommendations for content maybe in maths or English. So you know, it is about just adapting to the students.
One thing that is essential in the opportunity class is that every move and all the teaching that we do in the opportunity class is driven and directed by data. So it's all about the teacher collecting information about where the students are at, knowing where they're going to next and how they're going to facilitate that movement in their teaching sequence.
Another way that we differentiate in the opportunity class is through different questions. So the level of questioning that we have. So obviously a lot of the questioning in the opportunity class is directed towards those higher-level thinking skills.
Another way that I differentiate is through the use of autonomy. So, and choice. So, really giving the students that opportunity to make learning choices for themselves. We do lots of projects that's really driven organically by what they're thinking and what their questions are, which really allows them to explore their ideas and be curious.
[End of transcript]
Transcript of video: “How are students supported when moving to an opportunity class? – Teaching in an opportunity class” (duration 1:10)
[Opportunity class teacher]
The unique part of the opportunity class is that at the beginning of the year, you have a lot of new students coming from lots of different schools. So it's really important that we foster this environment where it's a high support environment.
We're all coming in, we're all learning together, we're all in this. So it's about forming that identity as a class.
So, even though there might be that initial doubt or hesitance or apprehension, once they're actually in the environment and they're making new friendships and they've had that time to settle in, it's really a positive shift for them, and they turn out to thrive in the opportunity class setting.
Generally, once the transition period has occurred, it's really easy for students to find relationships with like-minded peers. And again, that's just such the beauty of the opportunity class, is having those like-minded individuals that have similar interests to you.
It's really quite, beautiful to see those friendships, really strong friendships, thrive within the context of the opportunity class.
[End of transcript]
Transcript of video: “What co-curricular opportunities are there? – Teaching in an opportunity class” (duration 54 seconds)
[Opportunity class teacher]
In the opportunity class, we also have a lot of really active students who love being involved in sports.
So we have students who engage and participate in PSSA teams and zone sport teams, which is fantastic to see. Other co-curricular activities that the students within the opportunity class like to take part in are things like chess, debating team.
We engage with lots of writing competitions. So one of the ones that the department runs is the WriteOn competition.
There's lots of different art competitions that we offer and encourage students who are gifted to engage with those opportunities.
We also engage with project-based activities like the Game Changer Challenge, which is run by the department, which facilitates critical and creative thinking. It really facilitates innovative thinking.
[End of transcript]
Transcript of video: “What do you love about teaching an opportunity class? – Teaching in an opportunity class” (duration 1:48)
[Opportunity class teacher]
I love teaching the OC because you get to see how students think in a different way, and really providing them with opportunities to make more complex thinking happen and be more abstract in their thinking.
In our classroom, we love to engage with higher order thinking. So really looking at that creating, that synthesizing, that analysis.
So a lot of the questioning that we do in the classroom is about getting students to unpack that higher level of thinking.
And, and how do we, how do I support in the OC to build those skills and strategies and that pathway to that, that higher order thinking,
One of the big things is that I find it really rewarding. So everything in the classroom is really high challenge, but it's also really high support.
So one of the most rewarding things for me is just seeing how students can be supported to reach those high expectations and really dig into that challenge level to improve and unlock that high performance.
Students in the OC really enjoy coming to school. So they love learning. And as a teacher, I love that. So it's really fantastic to see students who walk in every day ready to learn, wanting to learn, being curious, wanting to explore new things and really push themselves out of their comfort zone.
One of my main mottos this year in the OC is: ‘go outside our comfort zone’. So really, just take those risks, those safe risks in learning, really make a mistake. Just give it a go. You know, do something that you're not used to doing.
And I think the opportunity class is the perfect vessel for that type of thinking.
[End transcript]
Find an opportunity class
Each opportunity class will have a set number of places for girls and boys. For opportunity classes with an intake of 15 Year 5 students, 7 places will be allocated to boys and 7 places will be allocated to girls. The remaining place will be filled based on academic merit, regardless of gender. For more information see Fair access.
There are 1,840 places available in opportunity classes across NSW for entry to Year 5.
Some opportunty classes are composite classes that have 15 Year 5 and 15 Year 6 students in the one class.
- Schools that offer 15 Year 5 places have:
- 1 composite (Year 5 and Year 6) OC class.
- Schools that offer 30 Year 5 places have either:
- 2 single Year OC classes (1 just for Year 5 students; and the other for Year 6 students); or
- 2 composite (Year 5 and Year 6) OC classes.
- Please check the school's website or contact them to confirm.
| School Name | Location | Website | Number of Year 5 places in 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
Alexandria Park Community School | Alexandria | 30 | |
Alstonville Public School | Alstonville | 15 | |
Armidale City Public School | Armidale | 15 | |
Artarmon Public School | Artarmon | 30 | |
Ashfield Public School | Ashfield | 30 | |
Aurora College | Rural and remote, virtual opportunity class | 100* | |
Balgowlah Heights Public School | Balgowlah | 15 | |
Balmain Public School | Balmain | 30 | |
Bathurst West Public School | Bathurst | 15 | |
Beecroft Public School | Beecroft | 30 | |
Biraban Public School | Toronto | 15 | |
Blacktown South Public School | Blacktown | 15 | |
Blacktown West Public School | Blacktown | 15 | |
Blaxcell Street Public School | Granville | 15 | |
Blaxland East Public School | Blaxland | Not available in 2028 ** | |
Bradbury Public School | Bradbury | 15 | |
Brookvale Public School | Brookvale | 15 | |
Camden South Public School | Camden | 15 | |
Caringbah North Public School | Caringbah | 15 | |
Casula Public School | Casula | 15 | |
Cessnock West Public School | Cessnock | 15 | |
Chatswood Public School | Chatswood | 30 | |
Colyton Public School | Colyton | 15 | |
Coonabarabran Public School | Coonabarabran | 15 | |
Cudgegong Valley Public School | Mudgee | 15 | |
Doonside Public School | Doonside | 15 | |
Dubbo West Public School | Dubbo | 15 | |
Dural Public School | Dural | 30 | |
Earlwood Public School | Earlwood | 30 | |
Ermington Public School | Ermington | 30 | |
Georges Hall Public School | Georges Hall | 15 | |
Glenbrook Public School | Glenbrook | 30** | |
Goonellabah Public School | Goonellabah | 15 | |
Gosford Public School | Gosford | 30 | |
Goulburn West Public School | Goulburn | 15 | |
Greenacre Public School | Greenacre | 15 | |
Greystanes Public School | Greystanes | 30 | |
Guildford West Public School | Guildford | 15 | |
Harrington Street Public School | Cabramatta | 15 | |
Holsworthy Public School | Holsworthy | 15 | |
Hurstville Public School | Hurstville | 60 | |
Illaroo Road Public School | North Nowra | 15 | |
Ironbark Ridge Public School | Rouse Hill | 15 | |
Jewells Primary School | Jewells | 15 | |
Kingswood Public School | Kingswood | 15 | |
Leumeah Public School | Leumeah | 15 | |
Lindfield East Public School | Lindfield | 15 | |
Lithgow Public School | Lithgow | 15 | |
Maroubra Junction Public School | Maroubra | 15 | |
Maryland Public School | Maryland | 15 | |
Matthew Pearce Public School | Baulkham Hills | 30 | |
Miranda Public School | Miranda | 15 | |
Mona Vale Public School | Mona Vale | 30 | |
Moree Public School | Moree | 15 | |
Moss Vale Public School | Moss Vale | 15 | |
Neutral Bay Public School | Neutral Bay | 30 | |
New Lambton South Public School | New Lambton | 15 | |
Newbridge Heights Public School | Chipping Norton | 15 | |
North Rocks Public School | North Rocks | 30 | |
Penrith Public School | Penrith | 15 | |
Picnic Point Public School | Picnic Point | 15 | |
Port Macquarie Public School | Port Macquarie | 15 | |
Quakers Hill Public School | Quakers Hill | 30 | |
Queanbeyan South Public School | Queanbeyan | 15 | |
Richmond Public School | Richmond | 30 | |
Rutherford Public School | Rutherford | 15 | |
Ryde Public School | Ryde | 30 | |
Smithfield Public School | Smithfield | 15 | |
Soldiers Point Public School | Soldiers Point | 15 | |
South Grafton Public School | Grafton | 15 | |
St Andrews Public School | St Andrews | 15 | |
St Clair Public School | St Clair | 15 | |
St Johns Park Public School | St Johns Park | 15 | |
Sturt Public School | Wagga Wagga | 15 | |
Summer Hill Public School | Summer Hill | 30 | |
Sutherland Public School | Sutherland | 30 | |
Tahmoor Public School | Tahmoor | 15 | |
Tamworth Public School | Tamworth | 15 | |
Tamworth South Public School | Tamworth | 15 | |
Tighes Hill Public School | Tighes Hill | 15 | |
Toongabbie Public School | Toongabbie | 15 | |
Toormina Public School | Toormina | 15 | |
Wahroonga Public School | Wahroonga | 15 | |
Waitara Public School | Waitara | 30 | |
Wentworth Falls Public School | Wentworth Falls | 15 | |
Wilkins Public School | Marrickville | 30 | |
Wollongong Public School | Wollongong | 30 | |
Woollahra Public School | Woollahra | 30 | |
Wyong Public School | Wyong | 30 |
Note:
* Only students who would be enrolled in Year 5 in an authorised host school in a rural and remote area (excluding areas where there is a current opportunity class provision) may apply for Aurora College, the virtual opportunity class.
** Blaxland East Public School and Glenbrook Public School take new students every second year, alternating each year.
Aurora College host primary schools
There are 100 Aurora College places available (50 places for boys and 50 places for girls) in NSW for entry to Year 5.
There are approximately 600 host public primary schools that offer online opportunity classes through Aurora College for rural and remote students.
Finigan School of Distance Education and Sydney Distance Education are also authorised host schools but have not been mapped as they are located in the Sydney Metropolitan Area. Students enrolled in Finigan and Sydney Schools of Distance Education must live in a provincial, regional or rural area as per the MCEECDYA Remoteness Index.
| School Name | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
Aberdeen Public School | Aberdeen | |
Adaminaby Public School | Adaminaby | |
Adelong Public School | Adelong | |
Albury North Public School | Albury | |
Albury Public School | Albury | |
Albury West Public School | Albury | |
Aldavilla Public School | Yarravel | |
Alma Public School | Broken Hill | |
Anson Street School | Orange | |
Ardlethan Central School | Ardlethan | |
Ariah Park Central School | Ariah Park | |
Ashford Central School | Ashford | |
Attunga Public School | Attunga | |
Bald Blair Public School | Guyra | |
Ballimore Public School | Ballimore | |
Balranald Central School | Balranald | |
Bangalow Public School | Bangalow | |
Baradine Central School | Baradine | |
Barellan Central School | Barellan | |
Barham Public School | Barham | |
Barkers Vale Public School | Wadeville | |
Barmedman Public School | Barmedman | |
Barooga Public School | Barooga | |
Barraba Central School | Barraba | |
Barrington Public School | Barrington | |
Barwon Learning Centre | Moree | |
Baryulgil Public School | Baryulgil | |
Batemans Bay Public School | Surfside | |
Batlow Technology School | Batlow | |
Bedgerabong Public School | Bedgerabong | |
Beechwood Public School | Wauchope | |
Beelbangera Public School | Beelbangera | |
Bega Valley Public School | Bega | |
Bellata Public School | Bellata | |
Bellbrook Public School | Bellbrook | |
Bellingen Public School | Bellingen | |
Belltrees Public School | Belltrees | |
Bemboka Public School | Bemboka | |
Ben Lomond Public School | Ben Lomond | |
Bendemeer Public School | Bendemeer | |
Berinba Public School | Yass | |
Bermagui Public School | Bermagui | |
Berridale Public School | Berridale | |
Berrigan Public School | Berrigan | |
Berrima Public School | Berrima | |
Bigga Public School | Bigga | |
Binalong Public School | Binalong | |
Binda Public School | Binda | |
Bingara Central School | Bingara | |
Binnaway Central School | Binnaway | |
Binya Public School | Binya | |
Black Mountain Public School | Black Mountain | |
Black Springs Public School | Black Springs | |
Blackville Public School | Blackville | |
Blakebrook Public School | Blakebrook | |
Blandford Public School | Blandford | |
Blayney Public School | Blayney | |
Bletchington Public School | Orange | |
Blighty Public School | Blighty | |
Bobin Public School | Bobin | |
Bodalla Public School | Bodalla | |
Bogan Gate Public School | Bogan Gate | |
Bogangar Public School | Bogangar | |
Boggabilla Central School | Boggabilla | |
Boggabri Public School | Boggabri | |
Bombala Public School | Bombala | |
Bonalbo Central School | Bonalbo | |
Bongongo Public School | Adjungbilly | |
Bonshaw Public School | Bonshaw | |
Boomi Public School | Boomi | |
Booral Public School | Booral | |
Boorowa Central School | Boorowa | |
Boree Creek Public School | Boree Creek | |
Borenore Public School | Borenore | |
Bourke Public School | Bourke | |
Bourke-Walgett School of Distance Education | Bourke | |
Bowen Public School | Orange | |
Bowning Public School | Bowning | |
Bowral Public School | Bowral | |
Bowraville Central School | Bowraville | |
Braidwood Central School | Braidwood | |
Breadalbane Public School | Breadalbane | |
Bredbo Public School | Bredbo | |
Brewarrina Central School | Brewarrina | |
Bribbaree Public School | Bribbaree | |
Broadwater Public School | Broadwater | |
Brocklesby Public School | Brocklesby | |
Broke Public School | Broke | |
Broken Hill North Public School | Broken Hill | |
Broken Hill Public School | Broken Hill | |
Broulee Public School | Broulee | |
Brungle Public School | Brungle | |
Brunswick Heads Public School | Brunswick Heads | |
Bulahdelah Central School | Bulahdelah | |
Bullarah Public School | Bullarah | |
Bullimbal School | South Tamworth | |
Bundanoon Public School | Bundanoon | |
Bundarra Central School | Bundarra | |
Bungwahl Public School | Bungwahl | |
Bunnaloo Public School | Bunnaloo | |
Burke Ward Public School | Broken Hill | |
Buronga Public School | Buronga | |
Burrawang Public School | Burrawang | |
Burren Junction Public School | Burren Junction | |
Burringbar Public School | Burringbar | |
Burrumbuttock Public School | Burrumbuttock | |
Byron Bay Public School | Byron Bay | |
Cabbage Tree Island Public School | Cabbage Tree Island | |
Calare Public School | Orange | |
Caldera School | Tweed Heads South | |
Callala Public School | Callala Bay | |
Candelo Public School | Candelo | |
Canobolas Public School | Orange | |
Canowindra Public School | Canowindra | |
Capertee Public School | Capertee | |
Caragabal Public School | Caragabal | |
Carcoar Public School | Carcoar | |
Cargo Public School | Cargo | |
Carinda Public School | Carinda | |
Carroll Public School | Carroll | |
Casino Public School | Casino | |
Casino West Public School | Casino | |
Cassilis Public School | Cassilis | |
Central Tilba Public School | Central Tilba | |
Chandler Public School | Wollomombi | |
Chatham Public School | Taree | |
Chatsworth Island Public School | Chatsworth | |
Chillingham Public School | Chillingham | |
Clare Public School | Clare | |
Clarence Town Public School | Clarence Town | |
Clergate Public School | Clergate | |
Cobar Public School | Cobar | |
Cobargo Public School | Cobargo | |
Coffee Camp Public School | Coffee Camp | |
Coleambally Central School | Coleambally | |
Collarenebri Central School | Collarenebri | |
Collins Creek Public School | Collins Creek | |
Colo Vale Public School | Colo Vale | |
Comboyne Public School | Comboyne | |
Conargo Public School | Conargo | |
Condobolin Public School | Condobolin | |
Condong Public School | Condong | |
Coolah Central School | Coolah | |
Coolamon Central School | Coolamon | |
Coolongolook Public School | Coolongolook | |
Cooma North Public School | Cooma North | |
Cooma Public School | Cooma | |
Coonamble Public School | Coonamble | |
Coopernook Public School | Coopernook | |
Coorabell Public School | Coorabell | |
Cootamundra Public School | Cootamundra | |
Copmanhurst Public School | Copmanhurst | |
Coraki Public School | Coraki | |
Coramba Public School | Coramba | |
Corindi Public School | Corindi Beach | |
Corndale Public School | Corndale | |
Corowa Public School | Corowa | |
Corowa South Public School | Corowa | |
Cowper Public School | Cowper | |
Cowra Public School | Cowra | |
Crabbes Creek Public School | Crabbes Creek | |
Crescent Head Public School | Crescent Head | |
Crookwell Public School | Crookwell | |
Croppa Creek Public School | Croppa Creek | |
Crystal Creek Public School | Crystal Creek | |
Cudal Public School | Cudal | |
Culburra Public School | Culburra Beach | |
Culcairn Public School | Culcairn | |
Cullen Bullen Public School | Cullen Bullen | |
Cumnock Public School | Cumnock | |
Cundletown Public School | Cundletown | |
Curlewis Public School | Curlewis | |
Currabubula Public School | Currabubula | |
Dalton Public School | Dalton | |
Dareton Public School | Dareton | |
Darlington Point Public School | Darlington Point | |
Deepwater Public School | Deepwater | |
Delegate Public School | Delegate | |
Delungra Public School | Delungra | |
Deniliquin North Public School | Deniliquin | |
Deniliquin South Public School | Deniliquin | |
Denman Public School | Denman | |
Dorrigo Public School | Dorrigo | |
Drake Public School | Drake | |
Dubbo School of Distance Education | Dubbo | |
Dundurrabin Public School | Dundurrabin | |
Dunedoo Central School | Dunedoo | |
Dungay Public School | Dungay | |
Dungog Public School | Dungog | |
Dungowan Public School | Dungowan | |
Dunoon Public School | Dunoon | |
Duranbah Public School | Duranbah | |
E A Southee Public School | Cootamundra | |
Ebor Public School | Ebor | |
Eden Public School | Eden | |
Edward Public School | Deniliquin | |
Elands Public School | Elands | |
Ellerston Public School | Ellerston | |
Emmaville Central School | Emmaville | |
Enngonia Public School | Enngonia | |
Euabalong West Public School | Euabalong West | |
Eugowra Public School | Eugowra | |
Eumungerie Public School | Eumungerie | |
Eungai Public School | Eungai Creek | |
Eurongilly Public School | Eurongilly | |
Euston Public School | Euston | |
Evans River Community School | Evans Head | |
Exeter Public School | Exeter | |
Fairfax Public School | Maules Creek | |
Finigan School of Distance Education | Queanbeyan | |
Finley Public School | Finley | |
Forbes North Public School | Forbes | |
Forbes Public School | Forbes | |
Forster Public School | Forster | |
Frank Partridge VC Public School | Nambucca Heads | |
Franklin Public School | Tumut | |
Frederickton Public School | Frederickton | |
G S Kidd Memorial School | Gunnedah | |
Ganmain Public School | Ganmain | |
Garah Public School | Garah | |
Gerogery Public School | Gerogery | |
Geurie Public School | Geurie | |
Gilgai Public School | Gilgai | |
Gilgandra Public School | Gilgandra | |
Girilambone Public School | Girilambone | |
Gladstone Public School | Gladstone | |
Glen Alice Public School | Glen Alice | |
Glen Innes Public School | Glen Innes | |
Glen William Public School | Clarence Town | |
Glenquarry Public School | Glenquarry | |
Glenreagh Public School | Glenreagh | |
Glenroi Heights Public School | Orange | |
Glenroy Public School | North Albury | |
Gloucester Public School | Gloucester | |
Gol Gol Public School | Gol Gol | |
Goodooga Central School | Goodooga | |
Goolgowi Public School | Goolgowi | |
Goolma Public School | Goolma | |
Gooloogong Public School | Gooloogong | |
Goonengerry Public School | Goonengerry | |
Gralee School | Leeton | |
Gravesend Public School | Gravesend | |
Green Hill Public School | West Kempsey | |
Greenethorpe Public School | Greenethorpe | |
Grenfell Public School | Grenfell | |
Gresford Public School | Gresford | |
Griffith East Public School | Griffith | |
Griffith North Public School | Griffith | |
Griffith Public School | Griffith | |
Gulargambone Central School | Gulargambone | |
Gulmarrad Public School | Gulmarrad | |
Gum Flat Public School | Gum Flat | |
Gundagai Public School | Gundagai | |
Gundagai South Public School | South Gundagai | |
Gundaroo Public School | Gundaroo | |
Gunnedah Public School | Gunnedah | |
Gunnedah South Public School | Gunnedah | |
Gunning Public School | Gunning | |
Guyra Central School | Guyra | |
Gwabegar Public School | Gwabegar | |
Hallidays Point Public School | Diamond Beach | |
Hampton Public School | Hampton | |
Hannam Vale Public School | Hannam Vale | |
Hanwood Public School | Hanwood | |
Hargraves Public School | Hargraves | |
Harrington Public School | Harrington | |
Harwood Island Public School | Harwood | |
Hay Public School | Hay | |
Henty Public School | Henty | |
Hermidale Public School | Hermidale | |
Hernani Public School | Dorrigo | |
Herons Creek Public School | Herons Creek | |
Hill End Public School | Hill End | |
Hill Top Public School | Hill Top | |
Hillston Central School | Hillston | |
Holbrook Public School | Holbrook | |
Holman Place School | Cowra | |
Holmwood Public School | Cowra | |
Howlong Public School | Howlong | |
Hume Public School | Lavington | |
Humula Public School | Humula | |
Huntingdon Public School | Wauchope | |
Huskisson Public School | Huskisson | |
Ilford Public School | Ilford | |
Illabo Public School | Illabo | |
Iluka Public School | Iluka | |
Induna School | South Grafton | |
Inverell Public School | Inverell | |
Ivanhoe Central School | Ivanhoe | |
Jennings Public School | Jennings | |
Jerilderie Public School | Jerilderie | |
Jerrys Plains Public School | Jerrys Plains | |
Jiggi Public School | Jiggi | |
Jindabyne Public School | Jindabyne | |
Jindera Public School | Jindera | |
Jugiong Public School | Jugiong | |
Junee North Public School | Junee | |
Junee Public School | Junee | |
Kalinda School | Griffith | |
Kandeer School | North Albury | |
Kandos Public School | Kandos | |
Kangaloon Public School | Kangaloon | |
Karangi Public School | Karangi | |
Kempsey East Public School | Kempsey | |
Kempsey South Public School | Kempsey | |
Kempsey West Public School | West Kempsey | |
Kendall Public School | Kendall | |
Khancoban Public School | Khancoban | |
Kinchela Public School | Kinchela | |
King Street Public School | Singleton | |
Kingstown Public School | Kingstown | |
Kirkton Public School | Belford | |
Kootingal Public School | Kootingal | |
Kororo Public School | Korora | |
Krambach Public School | Krambach | |
Kyogle Public School | Kyogle | |
Laggan Public School | Laggan | |
Lake Cargelligo Central School | Lake Cargelligo | |
Lake Cathie Public School | Lake Cathie | |
Lake Wyangan Public School | Lake Wyangan | |
Lansdowne Public School | Lansdowne | |
Larnook Public School | Larnook | |
Laurieton Public School | Laurieton | |
Lavington East Public School | Lavington | |
Lavington Public School | Lavington | |
Lawrence Public School | Lawrence | |
Leeton Public School | Leeton | |
Leeville Public School | Leeville | |
Lightning Ridge Central School | Lightning Ridge | |
Lockhart Central School | Lockhart | |
Long Flat Public School | Long Flat | |
Lord Howe Island Central School | Lord Howe Island | |
Louth Public School | Louth | |
Lowanna Public School | Lowanna | |
Lowesdale Public School | Lowesdale | |
Lue Public School | Lue | |
Lyndhurst Public School | Lyndhurst | |
Macksville Public School | Macksville | |
Maclean Public School | Maclean | |
Maimuru Public School | Maimuru | |
Main Arm Upper Public School | Upper Main Arm | |
Manifold Public School | Bentley | |
Manildra Public School | Manildra | |
Manilla Central School | Manilla | |
Manning Gardens Public School | Taree | |
Marra Creek Public School | Nyngan | |
Marrar Public School | Marrar | |
Martindale Public School | Martindale | |
Martins Creek Public School | Martins Creek | |
Marulan Public School | Marulan | |
Mathoura Public School | Mathoura | |
Matong Public School | Matong | |
Mayrung Public School | Deniliquin | |
Meadow Flat Public School | Meadow Flat | |
Medlow Public School | Upper Taylors Arm | |
Mendooran Central School | Mendooran | |
Menindee Central School | Menindee | |
Merimbula Public School | Merimbula | |
Merriwa Central School | Merriwa | |
Middleton Public School | Parkes | |
Milbrodale Public School | Milbrodale | |
Millthorpe Public School | Millthorpe | |
Milton Public School | Milton | |
Mitchells Island Public School | Mitchells Island | |
Mittagong Public School | Mittagong | |
Moama Public School | Moama | |
Modanville Public School | Lismore | |
Mogo Public School | Mogo | |
Molong Central School | Molong | |
Monteagle Public School | Monteagle | |
Moonbi Public School | Moonbi | |
Moorland Public School | Moorland | |
Morgan Street Public School | Broken Hill | |
Moruya Public School | Moruya | |
Moulamein Public School | Moulamein | |
Mount George Public School | Mount George | |
Mount Pleasant Public School | Singleton | |
Mullaley Public School | Mullaley | |
Mullaway Public School | Mullaway | |
Mullion Creek Public School | Mullion Creek | |
Mullumbimby Public School | Mullumbimby | |
Mulwala Public School | Mulwala | |
Mulyan Public School | Cowra | |
Mumbil Public School | Mumbil | |
Mummulgum Public School | Mummulgum | |
Mungindi Central School | Mungindi | |
Murringo Public School | Murringo | |
Murrumbateman Public School | Murrumbateman | |
Murrumburrah Public School | Murrumburrah | |
Murrurundi Public School | Murrurundi | |
Murwillumbah East Public School | Murwillumbah | |
Murwillumbah Public School | Murwillumbah | |
Muswellbrook Public School | Muswellbrook | |
Muswellbrook South Public School | Muswellbrook | |
Nabiac Public School | Nabiac | |
Nambucca Heads Public School | Nambucca Heads | |
Nana Glen Public School | Nana Glen | |
Nangus Public School | Nangus | |
Naradhan Public School | Naradhan | |
Narooma Public School | Narooma | |
Narrabri Public School | Narrabri | |
Narrabri West Public School | Narrabri | |
Narrandera Public School | Narrandera | |
Narromine Public School | Narromine | |
Nashdale Public School | Nashdale | |
Neville Public School | Neville | |
Niangala Public School | Niangala | |
Nimbin Central School | Nimbin | |
Nimmitabel Public School | Nimmitabel | |
North East Public School of Distance Education | Port Macquarie | |
North Haven Public School | North Haven | |
North Star Public School | North Star | |
Nundle Public School | Nundle | |
Nymboida Public School | Nymboida | |
Nyngan Public School | Nyngan | |
Oaklands Central School | Oaklands | |
Oberon Public School | Oberon | |
Ocean Shores Public School | Ocean Shores | |
Old Bar Public School | Old Bar | |
Old Bonalbo Public School | Old Bonalbo | |
Orama Public School | Thora | |
Orange East Public School | Orange | |
Orange Public School | Orange | |
Orara Upper Public School | Upper Orara | |
Pacific Palms Public School | Boomerang Beach | |
Palinyewah Public School | Ellerslie | |
Pallamallawa Public School | Pallamallawa | |
Palmers Island Public School | Palmers Island | |
Pambula Public School | Pambula | |
Parkes East Public School | Parkes | |
Parkes Public School | Parkes | |
Parkview Public School | Leeton | |
Parry School | Tamworth | |
Paterson Public School | Paterson | |
Peak Hill Central School | Peak Hill | |
Penrose Public School | Penrose | |
Pilliga Public School | Pilliga | |
Pleasant Hills Public School | Pleasant Hills | |
Pomona Public School | Pomona | |
Pooncarie Public School | Pooncarie | |
Portland Central School | Portland | |
Pottsville Beach Public School | Pottsville | |
Premer Public School | Premer | |
Quaama Public School | Quaama | |
Quambone Public School | Quambone | |
Quandialla Public School | Quandialla | |
Quirindi Public School | Quirindi | |
Railway Town Public School | Broken Hill | |
Rand Public School | Rand | |
Rankins Springs Public School | Rankins Springs | |
Rappville Public School | Rappville | |
Red Range Public School | Red Range | |
Robertson Public School | Robertson | |
Rockley Public School | Rockley | |
Rollands Plains Upper Public School | Rollands Plains | |
Rosewood Public School | Rosewood | |
Ross Hill Public School | Inverell | |
Rowena Public School | Rowena | |
Rylstone Public School | Rylstone | |
Sanctuary Point Public School | Sanctuary Point | |
Sandy Beach Public School | Sandy Beach | |
Sandy Hollow Public School | Sandy Hollow | |
School of the Air | Broken Hill | |
Scone Public School | Scone | |
Scotts Head Public School | Scotts Head | |
Shepherds Park School | Wagga Wagga | |
Singleton Heights Public School | Singleton Heights | |
Singleton Public School | Singleton | |
Smithtown Public School | Smithtown | |
Snowy Valleys School | Tumut | |
Sofala Public School | Sofala | |
South West Rocks Public School | South West Rocks | |
Southern Cross School of Distance Education | East Ballina | |
Spring Hill Public School | Spring Hill | |
Spring Ridge Public School | Spring Ridge | |
Spring Terrace Public School | Spring Terrace | |
Springdale Heights Public School | Lavington | |
St Georges Basin Public School | Basin View | |
Stockinbingal Public School | Stockinbingal | |
Stokers Siding Public School | Stokers Siding | |
Stratford Public School | Stratford | |
Stratheden Public School | Stratheden | |
Stroud Public School | Stroud | |
Stroud Road Public School | Stroud Road | |
Stuart Town Public School | Stuart Town | |
Stuarts Point Public School | Stuarts Point | |
Sunshine Bay Public School | Batehaven | |
Sussex Inlet Public School | Sussex Inlet | |
Sydney Distance Education Primary School | Surry Hills | |
Table Top Public School | Table Top | |
Tabulam Public School | Tabulam | |
Talbingo Public School | Talbingo | |
Tallimba Public School | Tallimba | |
Tallong Public School | Tallong | |
Tanja Public School | Tanja | |
Tarago Public School | Tarago | |
Taralga Public School | Taralga | |
Tarcutta Public School | Tarcutta | |
Taree Public School | Taree | |
Taree West Public School | Taree | |
Tathra Public School | Tathra | |
Tea Gardens Public School | Tea Gardens | |
Temora Public School | Temora | |
Temora West Public School | Temora | |
Terranora Public School | Terranora | |
Tharbogang Public School | Tharbogang | |
The Bidgee School | Wagga Wagga | |
The Channon Public School | The Channon | |
The Pocket Public School | The Pocket | |
The Risk Public School | The Risk | |
The Rock Central School | The Rock | |
The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School | Tenterfield | |
Thurgoona Public School | Thurgoona | |
Tibooburra Outback Public School | Tibooburra | |
Tingha Public School | Tingha | |
Tinonee Public School | Tinonee | |
Tirriwirri School | Karabar | |
Tocumwal Public School | Tocumwal | |
Tomerong Public School | Tomerong | |
Tooleybuc Central School | Tooleybuc | |
Toomelah Public School | Boggabilla | |
Tooraweenah Public School | Tooraweenah | |
Tottenham Central School | Tottenham | |
Towamba Public School | Towamba | |
Trangie Central School | Trangie | |
Trundle Central School | Trundle | |
Trunkey Public School | Trunkey Creek | |
Tucabia Public School | Tucabia | |
Tullamore Central School | Tullamore | |
Tullibigeal Central School | Tullibigeal | |
Tulloona Public School | Tulloona | |
Tumbarumba Public School | Tumbarumba | |
Tumbulgum Public School | Tumbulgum | |
Tumut Public School | Tumut | |
Tuncurry Public School | Tuncurry | |
Tyalgum Public School | Tyalgum | |
Uki Public School | Uki | |
Ulladulla Public School | Ulladulla | |
Ulong Public School | Ulong | |
Ungarie Central School | Ungarie | |
Upper Coopers Creek Public School | Upper Coopers Creek | |
Upper Lansdowne Public School | Upper Lansdowne | |
Urana Public School | Urana | |
Urbenville Public School | Urbenville | |
Vacy Public School | Vacy | |
Vincentia Public School | Vincentia | |
Wakool Burraboi Public School | Wakool | |
Walbundrie Public School | Walbundrie | |
Walcha Central School | Walcha | |
Walgett Community College - Primary School | Walgett | |
Walhallow Public School | Caroona | |
Walla Walla Public School | Walla Walla | |
Wallabadah Public School | Wallabadah | |
Wamoon Public School | Wamoon | |
Wanaaring Public School | Wanaaring | |
Warialda Public School | Warialda | |
Warren Central School | Warren | |
Wattle Flat Public School | Wattle Flat | |
Wauchope Public School | Wauchope | |
Wee Jasper Public School | Wee Jasper | |
Wee Waa Public School | Wee Waa | |
Weethalle Public School | Weethalle | |
Weilmoringle Public School | Weilmoringle | |
Wellington Public School | Wellington | |
Wentworth Public School | Wentworth | |
Werris Creek Public School | Werris Creek | |
West Wyalong Public School | West Wyalong | |
Wewak Street School | North Albury | |
Whian Whian Public School | Whian Whian | |
White Cliffs Public School | White Cliffs | |
Whitton-Murrami Public School | Whitton | |
Wiangaree Public School | Wiangaree | |
Wilcannia Central School | Wilcannia | |
Willans Hill School | Wagga Wagga | |
Willawarrin Public School | Willawarrin | |
Willow Tree Public School | Willow Tree | |
Wilson Park School | East Lismore | |
Wilsons Creek Public School | Mullumbimby | |
Windellama Public School | Windellama | |
Wingello Public School | Wingello | |
Wingham Brush Public School | Wingham | |
Wingham Public School | Wingham | |
Wolumla Public School | Wolumla | |
Wombat Public School | Wombat | |
Woodburn Public School | Woodburn | |
Woodenbong Central School | Woodenbong | |
Woodstock Public School | Woodstock | |
Woolbrook Public School | Woolbrook | |
Woolgoolga Public School | Woolgoolga | |
Wooli Public School | Wooli | |
Woolomin Public School | Woolomin | |
Wyalong Public School | Wyalong | |
Wyndham Public School | Wyndham | |
Wytaliba Public School | Glen Innes | |
Yamba Public School | Yamba | |
Yanco Public School | Yanco | |
Yarrowitch Public School | Yarrowitch | |
Yass Public School | Yass | |
Yenda Public School | Yenda | |
Yeoval Central School | Yeoval | |
Yerong Creek Public School | Yerong Creek | |
Yetman Public School | Yetman | |
Yoogali Public School | Yoogali | |
Young North Public School | Young | |
Young Public School | Young |
Number of school choices allowed
Opportunity class applications allow up to 4 school choices.
You must choose your first choice school, and you may also select up to 3 more schools in case you don't get your first choice.
Please only choose schools you genuinely would like your child to attend – this may be less than the maximum of 4 choices.
Fees
NSW public primary schools that have opportunity classes or host Aurora College classes do not charge attendance fees.
Schools may ask parents and carers to make payments for curriculum-related resources, such as textbooks and materials needed for some subjects. Families may also be asked to make payments to cover the costs of school excursions or sports their child plays.
Who can apply?
Parents and carers can apply for placement if their child is in:
- NSW public schools
- non-government schools
- home study
- interstate schools
- overseas schools.
The Equity Placement Model
The Equity Placement Model helps to make access to opportunity classes fairer for the following under-represented groups:
- students from low socio-educational advantage areas
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- students from rural and remote locations
- students with disability.
The model holds up to 20% of places at each school for students from these groups to help increase their participation.
Learn more at Fair access.
Residency requirements
Parents and carers must be aware that:
- students and their families must be living in NSW by the beginning of the school year of entry.
- enrolment conditions apply to opportunity classes if students are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or hold an eligible visa and are living in NSW by the beginning of the school year. For more information on visa conditions, visit Visa subclasses and enrolment conditions.
What if I don’t currently meet the residency conditions?
If you think you will meet all the residency conditions before we release initial offers, you may still apply and your child can sit the placement test.
You must meet citizenship or eligible visa conditions before you can receive a placement offer.
Where are the placement tests held?
The Opportunity Class Placement Test is only held in NSW.
Students who are overseas or interstate will be required to return to NSW to sit the placement test.
If your child is unable to return to NSW to sit the test, they will not be considered for placement in an opportunity class.
Age and school year
For opportunity class placement, students are usually:
- at the end of Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4 when their parents and carers apply
- in Year 4 when they sit the test
- aged between 9 years and 5 months and 11 years at the time they start Year 5.
For Year 5 opportunity class entry in 2028, students would usually have their birth date between 1 January 2017 and 31 July 2018.
If your child is outside the usual age range or school year when applying, you must provide reasons for this in your application.
If your child is in Year 5 at the time of the test, you must provide a full explanation of why your child is repeating with supporting documentation including from your child's school principal.
If you want your child to be accelerated from Year 3 to Year 5 in the following year, you must provide your reasons and evidence of support from your child’s school principal.
A student will not be eligible to sit the placement test if supporting evidence is not included in their application within 2 weeks of the application closing date.
When deciding on applications for students seeking acceleration the selection committee will consider the evidence provided in accordance with section 1.4.4 of the High potential and gifted education standards. Additional information may be requested from your child's school.
Providing incorrect information about your child's school year may result in your child's application or placement offers being withdrawn.
Entry to opportunity classes is based on a student's academic merit. Therefore, the placement of one sibling does not guarantee the placement of another. Each sibling needs to meet the test performance requirements to receive an offer.
Siblings of students placed in an opportunity class are not guaranteed a non-selective place at the same school, unless they are living within the school's intake area.
Parents and carers may apply to the school for out-of-area enrolment, but are subject to enrolment eligibility and the school's capacity to accept non-local students. Parents and carers should consider this when choosing schools. For more information, please refer to the Selective high school and opportunity class placement procedures.
Does my child get automatic entry to a selective high school if they are placed in an opportunity class?
No. You will need to apply separately for selective high school placement when your child is in Year 5 for placement in Year 7.
Learn more at Application process.
Downloads
- Guide to selective high schools and opportunity classes (PDF 95 KB)
- Opportunity class placement timeline (PDF 230 KB)
- Submit your application in 5 easy steps (PDF 383 KB)
- Aurora College flyer – for rural and remote students (PDF 667 KB)
Last modified date
04/11/2026
Business unit contact email
Executive director
Laura Milkins
Executive director’s business unit
Teaching Learning&Student Wellbeing