Who Can Apply?
The selective school placement test is open to students currently in Year 5 who are applying for Year 7 entry — the main intake point. Students must be:
- Australian citizens or permanent residents (certain visa categories are also eligible)
- Currently enrolled in a primary school in NSW (public, private, independent, or home-schooled)
There is also a smaller intake at Years 8–12 for limited vacancies that arise, but the vast majority of places are filled through the Year 7 entry process.
Geographic location does not restrict eligibility for fully selective schools — a student from any part of NSW can apply to any fully selective school in the state.
The Application Timeline
| When | What Happens |
|---|---|
| October | Applications open via the NSW Department of Education online portal |
| November | Applications close (hard deadline — late applications are generally not accepted) |
| December–February | Preparation period — students prepare for the March test |
| March | Placement test administered at designated test centres |
| March–June | Tests are marked and scores standardised |
| July | Results and offers released via email and online portal |
| July–August | Families accept or decline offers (approx. 2-week window) |
| September–October | Reserve offers made as declined places become available |
| January | Student begins Year 7 at their selective school |
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Create an account on the NSW Department of Education's online application portal at apply.education.nsw.gov.au
- Complete the application form with your child's details, current school, and parent/guardian information
- Select up to 3 school preferences in order of priority — this is a critical decision (see below)
- Pay the application fee (approximately $115) or apply for a fee waiver if eligible
- Submit before the deadline — late applications are typically not accepted
- Apply for special provisions if your child has a disability or medical condition that may affect test performance
You can modify your school preferences after submitting, up until a specified deadline (usually a few weeks before the test).
Choosing Your Three Preferences
This is one of the most strategic decisions in the process. Consider:
- Academic fit: Match your child's likely score range to realistic schools (use mock exam results as a guide)
- Geography: Consider the daily commute — selective school students travel from across Sydney, and long commutes can affect wellbeing and study time
- School culture: Research each school's values, co-curricular offerings, and community. Visit open days where possible.
- Gender: Some selective schools are single-sex (North Sydney Boys/Girls, Sydney Boys/Girls, Hornsby Girls). Consider your child's preference.
- Spread your risk: Don't put three equally competitive schools. Use a reach, target, and safety approach.
After the Results: Offers, Reserves, and Appeals
If your child receives an offer: You'll be notified via email and the online portal. You typically have about 2 weeks to accept or decline. Accepting an offer enrols your child at that school.
Reserve offers: If your child narrowly missed out, they may be placed on a reserve list. As other families decline offers, reserve offers are made in score order. These can continue through August–October.
Appeals: If exceptional circumstances affected your child's test performance (illness on test day, disability not properly accommodated), you can lodge an appeal. Appeals must be supported by documentation and are assessed by the Department of Education. Appeals based simply on disagreement with the score are generally not successful.
No offer: If your child doesn't receive a placement, remember that selective school is not the only path. Many comprehensive high schools have excellent academic programs, and partially selective schools offer selective streams worth investigating.