Selective School Applications 2028: Opens 5 Nov, Closes 15 Feb!

The selective high school application 2028 round opens on 5 November 2026, according to the NSW Department of Education. Families can apply for Year 7 selective high school entry and Year 5 opportunity class (OC) entry in 2028. Applications close on 15 February 2027, and no late applications are accepted.

What Are the Key Dates for Selective High School and OC Entry in 2028?

Applications open on 5 November 2026 and close on 15 February 2027 for both tests. The Year 7 selective school test is on 13 and 14 May 2027, and the opportunity class test is on 11 and 12 May 2027.

Each student sits the test on one allocated day only. The department lists only the month for outcomes, not exact dates, and warns that dates and activities can change.

Source

When Should Parents Apply?

Apply in the year before the test, between November and February.

Who Can Apply for Selective High School in 2028?

Children in NSW public schools, non-government schools, home study, interstate schools and overseas schools can all apply. Three conditions apply:

• Residency: your family must be living in NSW by the start of the school year of entry.
• Test location: the selective school test and the opportunity class test are held only in NSW. Interstate and overseas students must return to NSW to sit one, or they are not considered.
• Enrolment conditions: if your family does not yet meet them (for example visa rules), you can still apply and sit the test. You must meet them before you can receive any offer.

How Do You Apply for Selective High School in NSW?

Parents apply on the department's online application website in five steps:

1. Register with your own details, not your child's.
2. Verify your email. Check your junk folder if the email is slow.
3. Log in to the application website.
4. Complete every section. Saving does not submit your application.
5. Submit, then check that the confirmation email arrives.

After you submit, you can still update details and upload documents from your application dashboard. Parents of students with disability or medical conditions can request test adjustments by 15 February 2027.

How Should Parents Choose Schools?

Choose only schools you genuinely want your child to attend, and put them in the order you prefer. If your child gets an offer from a higher-choice school, they get no offer from any lower choice, even if you decline the higher one.

You can change your choices until 25 June 2027, so you can submit early and adjust later. The department does not allow changes after that date.

Key Takeaways

FAQs

When does the selective high school application 2028 open?

The selective high school application 2028 opens on 5 November 2026. It closes on 15 February 2027, and the department does not accept late applications.

When is the selective school test in 2028?

The Selective High School Placement Test for Year 7 entry in 2028 is on 13 and 14 May 2027. Each student sits on one allocated day, and the make-up test is on 11 June 2027.

When is the opportunity class test for 2028 entry?

The Opportunity Class Placement Test for Year 5 entry in 2028 is on 11 and 12 May 2027. Each student sits on one day only, and the make-up test is on 10 June 2027.

Can a home-schooled child apply for selective high school or an opportunity class?

Yes, children in home study can apply, along with children in NSW public schools, non-government schools, and interstate or overseas schools. Your family must be living in NSW by the start of the school year of entry.

Can I ask for adjustments to the test for my child with a disability or medical condition?

Yes, parents and carers of students with disability or medical conditions can request reasonable adjustments for the placement test. The last day to request them is 15 February 2027.

Can I change my school choices after I submit my application?

Yes, you can change your school choices until 25 June 2027. After that date, the department does not allow changes.

What happens if I miss the 15 February 2027 deadline?

Your child cannot apply for 2028 entry. The department strictly observes closing dates and accepts no late applications.

Can my child sit the selective school test if we live interstate or overseas?

Yes, but only in NSW. Students who are interstate or overseas must return to NSW to sit the placement test, or they are not considered for a place.

When will we find out the outcome?

The department says outcomes arrive in August 2027 for Year 7 selective entry and September 2027 for OC entry. It has not published exact dates yet.

Sources

• NSW Department of Education, Application process (entry in 2028): key dates, who can apply, five application steps, school choices, no late applications, test adjustments.
• NSW Department of Education, Placement test: tests held only in NSW, one test day per student.
• NSW Department of Education, Opportunity class practice tests: free practice tests and coaching position.
• NSW Department of Education, Selective high school practice tests: free practice tests.
• Cuemath Australia: live one-on-one online tutoring, free trial class.

Last reviewed: October 2026, against the NSW Department of Education application process page (last updated 27 October 2026).

Nupur Jain in ✉

Senior Writer

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