About the application site

Please use one of the following supported browsers: Google Chrome (Windows 10), Firefox (Windows 10), MS Edge (Windows 10), Safari (Macbook pro), Safari (ipad air 2 - iOS 13.6.1), Safari (iphone 8 - iOS 13.6.1), Samsung Internet (Samsung Galaxy phone). Please check that one of these is your default browser.

The application site is best viewed in landscape view if used on a mobile device.

For information about accessibility, see accessibility information.

Steps to apply

All applicants must complete the following steps to apply for Year 7 entry to a NSW selective high school.

Read the application guide (PDF 580KB) which shows the steps in the application form.

• To apply, go to the online application for selective high school placement when applications are open and before the closing date of 16 November 2022. Follow the instructions for applying.
  
• First register by entering your own name, a valid email address and a valid password in the online form. Do not use a student's email address.
• You will receive an email with your verification link for the online application.
• Click on the link that has been sent to your email account to verify your email to complete the registration process.
• Return to the application and log in using your email address and the password you provided.
• If you forget the password, go to 'Forgot your password?'. Enter your email address and click 'Submit' to get an email to reset your password. Previous passwords will no longer be valid.
• Once you have logged in, follow the steps on each page to complete the placement application.
• If your child has a disability, including a medical or behavioural condition, that requires reasonable adjustments for the test you should enter this information and request specific adjustments and upload relevant supporting documentation.
• Upload any relevant documents if applicable. You can also upload documents and send and receive messages as soon as possible after you submit.
• Choose up to three selective high schools in the order of preference.
• Make sure you save your application if you want to leave it and return to it later. Then you can pick up where you left off when you return.
• Check all the details you have entered and correct any errors before submitting. You can also log in and make changes after you have submitted.
• When you have completed your application click 'Submit'.
• Check your email for the confirmation of your application.
• Log in at any time to send and receive messages about the application and make changes within key dates. Remember to submit again after you make changes.
• Please do not submit a second application for the same child.
• Contact the Selective Education Unit by email at ssu@det.nsw.edu.au if you experience any difficulties in completing or submitting your application. Otherwise use the messaging system for all correspondence unless specifically asked to email.

Confirmation

After submitting your application you will receive an email confirming your application.

Applicants from non-government schools will receive a form to give to the primary school principal for additional information.

Applying without internet access

Use the internet at a public library if you do not have access at home. If you don't use email, set up a web-based email account such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo or similar. Use that account to register to apply. Check your new email account for the confirmation email straight after submitting the application. Check the spam or junk folder as well as the Inbox. A friend or family member or your child’s school may be able to assist you if you do not have regular email access.

Postal mail services are not available.

Contact the Selective Education Unit for assistance if you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer.

Parent details

Record the names of other parents in the application if they are likely to contact the Unit or if they are entitled to receive information or make decisions about the application. Where parents live at different addresses but have equal responsibility for the care of the child, the parent with whom the child lives for most of the time should submit the application. If the student lives with each parent for equal time, the parent with whom the child is staying at the time should apply.

Please ensure that there is only one application for the student. Duplicate applications will be deleted.

The Unit will not participate in parental disputes and will accept decisions about school choices and placement made by the parent who applied, unless there are court orders stating otherwise. Where parents cannot agree, the matter will be dealt with according to the Department's guidelines for dealing with family law related issues.

Additional documents

You can upload documents by logging in to your application at any time, including after you have submitted. Please ensure you upload copies of the following supporting documents if any of these apply to your child:

• information about a disability, including a medical or behavioural condition. If you have requested reasonable adjustments for disability for the test, you may need to provide diagnostic evidence.
• a copy of court orders if they relate to decisions about your child's education or communication about the child
• an explanation of why the child is older or younger than the usual age range (1/1/2011 - 1/8/2012 for entry in 2024) or not in Year 6 when sitting the test in 2023.

If requested, you may also need to supply:

• for students without Selective High School Placement Test results, a reliable full scale WISC V IQ report
• for Aboriginal students, confirmation of Aboriginality if not confirmed by school records.

You do not need to send school reports or certificates or other test results unless asked to do so.

Messages and changes to the application

You can make changes to your application after it has been submitted. You can update your details and upload documents. You can also send messages directly to the Selective Education Unit and receive messages within your application dashboard. You can also withdraw your application if you no longer want your child considered.

It is your responsibility to check and correct your application if your details change. If you need to change the registered email address you will need to send a message requesting the change.

Log in to your application dashboard to make changes. Go to the three dots under the 'Action' column on the right to see options to update the details in the application. Save and then resubmit after making changes.

Some changes are restricted to certain key dates. For example, student details can be changed until test centre allocations are made, and selective school choices up to the time of selection committee preparation, 11 June 2023. Changes to student details after that time must be requested through a message in the application dashboard.

School assessment scores

Due to disruptions to schooling in 2022, primary schools will not be required to provide school assessment scores for the selective high school placement process for Year 7 entry in 2024. Placement in 2024 will be made on the basis of test performance.

Primary school principals will be asked for information about aspects of the application via an online form or a hard copy form if the student is from a non-government school.

Non-government school applicants

NSW non-government school applicants complete the online application form. When applying, by accepting the Privacy Notice, parents indicate their acceptance that the department may need to contact the non-government school for information about about special considerations or any declared health condition of the student to assist with arranging reasonable adjustments for disability for the test. You are asked to provide the principal’s name and either a contact number or email address for the school.

Parents of students at non-government schools receive the 'Principal's page for provision of information about the application' with the email confirming that the application was submitted.

• Write your child's name and application number at the top of the form.
• Give the non-government school principal the form to complete, sign and stamp the form and return it to the Selective Education Unit at ssu@det.nsw.edu.au by the due date 9 December 2022.

Interstate and overseas applicants

Students temporarily living interstate or overseas, not enrolled in a NSW school and unable to sit the Selective High School Placement Test may apply for Year 7 placement in a NSW selective high school. Applications will be considered by the selection committee through the interstate and overseas procedure.

Parents must indicate in the application whether the student will be in NSW to sit the test and if so, which suburb is preferred as a test centre location.

Late applications

Requests for approval to make a late application must be made through the application dashboard and be submitted by 6 February 2023—learn more at Late applications requests.

Late applications requests that have already been approved must be submitted by 8 February 2023 as they cannot be added afterwards.

Closing dates for applications are strictly observed. The only circumstances under which a late application can be considered are:

• Where parents are applying for placement of their children in selective high schools where there may be a shortage of suitable applicants, either for some rural schools or for a few metropolitan schools. The choices are locked for those applicants and they cannot be considered for other selective high schools even if they move their residence.
• Where both parents/carers have documentary evidence to support a claim that circumstances beyond their control prevented them from completing an application. The application takes a maximum of 20 minutes to complete and is available 24 hours a day on any internet enabled device during the month that applications are open.

Even if a late request to apply is approved, the school selection committees later have the discretion not to accept the late application.

If not approved, you have the option to apply for placement starting in Years 8 to 12.