Applications

You can apply to up to three selective high schools for entry starting in Years 8 to 12.

See the school websites or contact the school to find out about specific assessment requirements and selection criteria for entry to Years 8 to 12. Check also for courses offered. Subject choice may vary from school to school. A student's current courses may be taken into account by the selection committee.

Download a printable copy of the application information so you know how the placement process works.

How to apply

Applications opened on 20 June 2023 and closed on 21 July 2023, for entry in 2024. If you miss the due date, contact the school directly.

• Download the application form (available here while applications are open). Check the school's website to see if they have an online version of the form.
• Complete a separate application form for each of the 3 selective high schools.
• List the chosen schools in the same order of priority on each application form.
• Fill the form and email it or print it and take it or mail it to the school/s.
• If you are unable to use a computer, seek help at the selective high school.
• Submit an application to up to three schools by the due date on the form, 21 July 2023 for entry in 2024.
  • Complete any extra documentation required by the school, such as birth certificate or passport that verifies the student's name, date of birth and residency.
  • Check with each individual school for their assessment requirements. Some schools ask students to take a test and some may charge a fee for this.
  • Your application will be acknowledged in writing by the school/s and you will be sent information about the assessments required.
• Contact each individual school to make enquiries and to change contact details or other information after the application is submitted.
• If wishing to apply from interstate or overseas, contact the school to find out if it is possible for your child to be assessed in the same way as other applicants. Your child must meet residency requirements in order to enrol at a selective high school.

Residency requirements

Students must be Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia to attend a selective high school. Information on Australian citizenship is available from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

• Students who do not have permanent residency or citizenship cannot enrol in a selective high school.
• Citizens of New Zealand living in New South Wales are eligible for selective high school entry. Permanent residents of New Zealand are not.
• Applicants who do not meet residency requirements at the time of applying - but expect to meet them before enrolment - may apply if they are already living in Australia. Applicants must show evidence of residency requirements prior to being offered a place.
• Applicants who do not meet the residency requirements - including those who hold diplomatic visas - but who qualify for entry on academic grounds, can ask for special consideration during the review process. The review panel could consider extenuating circumstances to determine whether the rules that apply to all other temporary visa holders should be varied.

School principals are required to check claims of residential status and citizenship against school records. All successful applicants will be required to show original documentation, such as a birth certificate, passport, Australian Citizenship certificate or permanent residency visa, before an offer can be made and an enrolment can be finalised by the school.

Residential address

A student's family must be living in NSW by the beginning of the school year. Applications from parents who continue to live outside NSW after the school year begins will be considered only if there are vacancies after all suitable applicants from NSW have been placed.

A child's offer will be cancelled if it is based on false or misleading information.