Vacancies

Vacancies depend on student departures and each school is different. Some may:

• have no vacancies in certain years
• create reserve lists for future vacancies
• open additional places for some year groups.

For available vacancies, contact individual selective high schools.

Placement stages

Key dates

Check the dates below for the key application stages.

There may be changes to these dates and procedures, so please check back regularly for any updates.

Application process

The application form will be available on this webpage when applications open.

You can apply to up to 3 schools.

You must submit a separate application form for each school and list the schools in the same order of preference.

How to apply

Boarding school applications

Some agricultural schools offer boarding for students from remote areas.

Find out more about boarding at agricultural high schools, fees for boarding and financial support.

Student assessments

Some schools hold tests; others review school reports and other information.

• The school will tell you if testing is required and whether there is a fee.
• If your child has a disability and needs adjustments, please contact the school early.

Selection outcomes

Selection committees assess applications based on academic performance as demonstrated in their application, and if applicable through testing. They may:

• offer a place
• add a student to the reserve list
• advise if a student was unsuccessful.

Note: Reserve lists apply only for that school year and may close after Term 2.

If you receive an offer from a school, please reply as soon as you can. If you do not accept within the time mentioned in your offer letter, you may lose your offer. If the offer is made by phone, you must accept or decline your offer within 24 hours.

Equity placement

Students from the following under-represented groups may receive extra consideration if their results are similar to others:

• students attending school in areas of low socio-educational advantage
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
• students living in rural and remote locations
• students with disability.

Learn more about the Equity Placement Model at Fair Access.

Residency and citizenship

Parents must be aware that:

• students and their families must be living in NSW by the beginning of the school year of entry.
• conditions may apply to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of Australia or citizens of New Zealand. Review the conditions at Visa subclasses and enrolment conditions.

If you accept a place, you must provide:

• a birth certificate or passport, or visa or proof of citizenship
• proof of your NSW address (for example, a utility bill).

Transfers

• Students cannot transfer automatically between selective schools – parents and carers must reapply.
• If your child is unsuccessful in a previous year, you need to submit a new application when applications open.

Reviewing an unsuccessful application

You can ask for a review of an unsuccessful application within 7 days of receiving the result if:

• the school didn’t follow its published process, or
• you have valid grounds (with proof) to request a residency rule waiver.

Invalid grounds:

• NAPLAN or other tests the school didn’t ask for.
• Classroom rankings or competition results.
• Disruptions due to holidays, illness or moving house.
• Failing to provide required application documents.

If you disagree with the review finding, contact the school and request a review from the school’s Director, Educational Leadership.