Selective high schools – Years 8 to 11 applications
The application process for entry into Years 8 to 11 at NSW selective high schools differs from the Year 7 process.
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.
Year 8 placements
There will be no opportunity to apply directly to a selective high school for Year 8 placement from 2028. Any Year 8 vacancies at the school will be filled from the reserve list managed by the Department.
Year 8 placements in 2028
Students that sit the placement test in 2026 for Year 7 entry in 2027 can apply for places that may become available in Year 8 2028. Refer to How to apply on this webpage.
Year 8 placements 2029 and beyond
Students who sit the placement test in 2027 for Year 7 entry in 2028 and remain on the reserve list after the reserve decision date will be eligible for placement until the beginning of Term 4 Year 8 if they are already attending a public high school (non-selective school or class).
Only students enrolled in a comprehensive public high school (non-selective school or class) will be eligible to receive an offer for Year 8 placement in 2029 from the reserve list.
Frequently asked questions
Each year, selective high schools have very few Year 8 places available but receive a large number of applications. For example, in 2026, over 1,100 applications were submitted for fewer than 10 available places.
This has meant that school staff are processing a high volume of applications for a small number of places. Extending the reserve list to include Year 8 placement offers is intended to better manage this situation.
No, students who are already in Year 7 at a selective high school in 2028 and beyond will not be able to apply for Year 8 placement at another selective high school.
Your child must have sat the selective high school placement test, not have an accepted offer at a fully or partially selective high school, and be on a school reserve list beyond the reserve decision date.
Students must also be enrolled and attending a comprehensive public high school (non-selective school or class) to be eligible for Year 8 placement from a reserve list.
Students not attending a comprehensive public high school (non-selective school or class) will not be eligible for Year 8 placement at a selective high school from 2028.
Yes, where a vacancy occurs a student of the same gender or equity group will be offered the place. Places may be offered to other students once gender reserve lists or equity places have been exhausted. For example, if a boy leaves a school, the next boy on the reserve list will be placed, unless the reserve list has been exhausted for boys, in which case the place may be offered to a girl.
Students who sit the 2027 placement test and are on the reserve list beyond the reserve decision date for Year 7 placement in 2028 may be offered a place if a vacancy becomes available at a school. This can happen until the end of Term 1 in Year 7 for all students on the reserve list, or until the start of Term 4 Year 7 if the student is already attending a public high school (non-selective school or class).
Students that are on the reserve list and attend a partially selective public high school in a non-selective Year 7 class may also be eligible for placement until the start of Term 4 Year 7.
Placement stages
When to apply
Apply the year before the placement year, during the application period. For example, apply for Year 9 placement when your child is in Year 8.
Is there a test?
Check school websites to understand how schools place students in Years 8 to 11 in 2028 – some schools require students to take a placement test.
Placement outcomes
Placement outcomes are released the same year applications close.
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.
Note: Applications for Years 8-11 placement in 2027 have closed.
Years 8 to 11 entry in 2028
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| June 2027 | Applications open |
| July 2027 | Applications close |
| July-August 2027 | Schools advise of assessment requirements |
| August-September 2027 | Assessments conducted (if applicable) |
| September-October 2027 | Placement outcomes for Years 8-11 entry released |
| Late January 2028 | Entry into a selective high school for successful applicants |
Selective high school types and locations
Students can apply for entry in Years 8 to 11 in 2028 at all types of selective high schools.
View the map and list of these schools at Find a selective high school.
Application process
Year 8 placements
Students that sat the placement test in 2026 to enter Year 7 in 2027
To apply for places that are available or may become available in Year 8 2028, use the How to apply steps below.
Students that sat the placement test in 2027 to enter Year 7 in 2028 and onwards
Students who sit the placement test and remain on the reserve list after the reserve decision date will be eligible for placement until Term 4 Year 8.
Only students enrolled in a comprehensive public high school (non-selective school or class) will be eligible to receive an offer for Year 8 placement.
How to apply
(Years 9 - 11 and Year 8 for 2028 entry only)
You must submit a separate application form for each school and list the schools in the same order of preference.
- Find the correct application form
Go to the school’s website and check if they use their own online application form, or complete the general Years 8 to 11 application form, available once applications open. - Complete the application form and include:
- a copy of the student’s birth certificate, citizenship or passport, and
- any extra forms the school asks for.
- Return the completed form by the closing date
Submit the application form to the school that you are applying to.
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 and carers must be aware that:
- students and their families must be living in NSW by the beginning of the school year of entry.
- enrolment conditions apply to selective high schools or opportunity classes if students are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or hold an eligible visa and are living in NSW by the beginning of the school year. For more information on visa conditions, visit 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 for Years 9 - 11 (and Year 8 2028 placement).
- 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 for a review
- 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.
Need help?
Contact the school directly if you have questions about:
- applying
- assessment or test requirements
- supporting documents
Visit the school’s website, phone or email the school for more information.
Last modified date
06/11/2026
Business unit contact email
Executive director
Laura Milkins
Executive director’s business unit
Teaching Learning&Student Wellbeing