Applying to enrol in a NSW Government school

Enrolment application forms

In addition to the standard Application to enrol in NSW Government schools form (PDF 768.4KB) many schools also use the Department's online enrolment system.

All applications must be completed in English. However, a translated application to enrol may help you to fill out the applications in English.

Enrolment areas

Many NSW Government schools have specific local enrolment areas. The designated intake areas are determined by the Department of Education. These schools ensure that there are enough places for students who reside in their local enrolment area.

Although preferable, designated local schools may not always be the closest public school to your home. Schools work with their local community to provide advice on public transport availability.

The Enrolment of Students in NSW Government Schools policy sets out the entitlements and requirements for enrolment. Additional information for parents (PDF 737.06KB) is available to explain recent changes to the enrolment policy.

Use School Finder to find your local NSW Government school. The school principal can help with enrolment inquiries throughout the year.

Out-of-area enrolment

Schools may accept enrolments from outside their designated area if places are available. Such applications are subject to department policies.

Contact the school for further information. If the school is able to accommodate out-of-area enrolments, the school will advise you of any non-local enrolment selection criteria.

If the demand for local enrolment exceeds the number of places available, out-of-area enrolments will not be available.

The department collects information to ensure a smooth enrolment process.

Privacy statement

All public schools and personnel of the Department of Education must abide by the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW). The information you provide will be used to process your child's application for enrolment and for associated purposes such as:

• general student administration
• communication with students and parents or carers
• state and federal reporting purposes
• to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and visitors to the school
• for other matters relating to the education and welfare of the student
• for any other purpose required by law.

The information will be stored securely. You may access or correct any personal information by contacting the school. If you have a concern or complaint about the way your personal information has been collected, used, or disclosed, you may contact the school.

Health information

By law, we must ensure the health and safety of students, staff and visitors on our premises. To facilitate this, a student's health information is collected through the Application to enrol form. Please provide detailed information about any medical conditions such as allergies, including anaphylactic reactions.

The health-related information is subject to the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002. It may be used and disclosed to medical practitioners, health workers, other government departments and/or schools.

The information you provide will assist the school to communicate with you and care for your child while at school.

Parents' occupations and education information

All Australian Education Ministers have agreed on National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-First Century which state achievement of students should not be affected by discrimination based on sex, language, culture and ethnicity, religion or disability - or by differences arising from social and economic background or geographic location.

All parents across Australia are asked to provide information about family background. We use the information to evaluate whether our policies are effective and to ensure that no group is experiencing undue disadvantage.

Providing information about your occupation and education is voluntary, but your information will help us to ensure the best educational outcomes for your child.

If the information on the 'Application to enrol' is found to be false or misleading it may affect the result of your application.

Online enrolment program

We have scaled up access to the department's online enrolment system at the majority of our schools, to provide you with the convenience of applying to enrol online or to complete the Year 6 to 7 Transition process online.

Currently to apply online your child must be:

• a NSW resident
• an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and
• residing in the local enrolment area of the school, or
• eligible to use the out-of-area process for non-local enrolments.

We have more information for parents or to locate your local school visit school finder.

Transition to high school using Online Enrolment

The annual Year 6 to Year 7 transition process moved online in 2023.

Moving into high school is an important process managed by your child's primary school. The expression of interest process is managed by your primary school and takes place during Year 6.