Australian School Scholarship Guide
Which schools offer scholarships, when to apply, and what tests to prepare for
NSW Selective High Schools
Government-run academically selective schools with free tuition
NSW has the largest selective school system in Australia. Entry is via a single placement test administered by the NSW Department of Education. There are 17 fully selective high schools, 4 agricultural selective schools, and 26 partially selective high schools offering a total of approximately ~4,338 Year 7 places each year.
📝 Test
NSW Selective High School Placement Test
📅 Test Date
May 2026
🎯 Total Year 7 Places
~4,338
📋 Format
Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, Writing
- ›James Ruse Agricultural High School
- ›Baulkham Hills High School
- ›North Sydney Boys High School
- ›North Sydney Girls High School
- ›Sydney Boys High School
- ›Sydney Girls High School
- ›Sydney Technical High School
- ›Fort Street High School
- ›Girraween High School
- ›Hornsby Girls High School
- ›Normanhurst Boys High School
- ›Gosford High School
- ›Penrith High School
- ›Sefton High School
- ›Caringbah High School
- ›Manly Selective Campus
- ›Merewether High School
Partially Selective Schools: 26 schools offer selective streams alongside their comprehensive intake.
NSW Opportunity Classes (OC)
Accelerated primary school classes for gifted students
Opportunity Classes are placed in ~75 government primary schools across NSW. Students in Year 4 sit the OC Placement Test for entry into Year 5 OC classes. These classes provide an accelerated curriculum for academically gifted students.
📝 Test
OC Placement Test
📅 Test Date
May 2026
🎓 Entry
Year 4 applying for Year 5 entry
📋 Format
Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills
ACER Scholarship Schools
Independent schools using the ACER Scholarship Test (June)
The ACER Scholarship Test is sat by thousands of students each year and is accepted by over 100 independent schools across Australia. It is typically held on the first Saturday in June. The test covers Humanities (Reading and Writing), Mathematics, and Abstract Reasoning across approximately 3 hours.
The King's School
Scholarship infoEntry Years
Yr 7, Yr 9, Yr 11
Test
ACER June
Application Deadline
~April
Newington College
Scholarship infoEntry Years
Yr 7, Yr 9
Test
ACER June
Application Deadline
~April
Sydney Grammar School
Scholarship infoEntry Years
Yr 7, Yr 9, Yr 11
Test
ACER June
Application Deadline
~February (own exam)
Shore (SCEGS)
Scholarship infoEntry Years
Yr 7, Yr 11
Test
ACER June
Application Deadline
~April
Cranbrook School
Scholarship infoEntry Years
Yr 7, Yr 10
Test
ACER June
Application Deadline
~May
Knox Grammar School
Scholarship infoEntry Years
Yr 7, Yr 9
Test
ACER June
Application Deadline
~April
Barker College
Scholarship infoEntry Years
Yr 7, Yr 10
Test
ACER June
Application Deadline
~April
Ravenswood
Scholarship infoEntry Years
Yr 7, Yr 10
Test
ACER June
Application Deadline
~April
Edutest Scholarship Schools (VIC)
Victorian independent schools using the Edutest scholarship exam
Edutest is widely used by Victorian independent schools for scholarship assessment. The test is typically held in February and consists of 5 components: Written Expression, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, and Numerical Reasoning. Total testing time is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
Written Expression
25 min
Mathematics
30 min
Reading Comprehension
30 min
Verbal Reasoning
25 min
Numerical Reasoning
25 min
Total
~2 hr 15 min
Caulfield Grammar School
Entry: Yr 7, Yr 9 | Test: February
Wesley College
Entry: Yr 7, Yr 9 | Test: February
MLC (Methodist Ladies' College)
Entry: Yr 7, Yr 9 | Test: February
Brighton Grammar School
Entry: Yr 7, Yr 9 | Test: February
Trinity Grammar School
Entry: Yr 7, Yr 9 | Test: February
Carey Baptist Grammar
Entry: Yr 7, Yr 9 | Test: February
Geelong Grammar School
Entry: Yr 7, Yr 9 | Test: February
Haileybury
Entry: Yr 7, Yr 9 | Test: February
VIC Selective Entry (SEAL)
Victoria's four academically selective government high schools
Victoria has four Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) schools. Entry is for Year 9 (students apply in Year 8). The entrance test is designed and administered by ACER and covers Abstract Reasoning, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, and Written Expression.
🎓 Entry
Year 8 applying for Year 9
📝 Test
ACER-designed exam
📋 Format
Abstract Reasoning, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Written Expression
📅 Applications
~April (Year 8), test ~May-June
2026-2027 Key Dates Timeline
Month-by-month guide for scholarship and selective school applications
- •Research schools and scholarship types
- •Register for Edutest (VIC) if applicable
- •Edutest scholarship exams (VIC) held
- •ACER and school-specific applications open
- •Begin preparation for selective and scholarship tests
- •NAPLAN testing window (Years 3, 5, 7, 9)
- •Sydney Grammar own-exam scholarship applications
- •VIC SEAL applications open
- •ACER scholarship applications close (~mid-April)
- •NSW Selective/OC applications open
- •Many independent school scholarship deadlines
- •NSW Selective High School Placement Test
- •NSW OC Placement Test
- •VIC SEAL (ACER) test ~May-June
- •WA ASET applications open
- •ACER Scholarship Test (first Saturday in June)
- •WA ASET test
- •Shortlisted candidates notified for interviews
- •ACER scholarship interviews for shortlisted students
- •Mid-year intake results for some programs
- •VIC SEAL results released
- •Some scholarship offers begin
- •NSW Selective results released
- •ACER scholarship offers sent
- •WA ASET results released
- •Accept/decline deadlines for selective offers
- •Late-round scholarship offers
- •Acceptance deadlines for most scholarship offers
- •Next year's application windows may open
- •Final acceptance deadlines
- •Prepare for following year entry
How to Choose the Right Scholarship
Key factors to consider when comparing schools and scholarship programs
Location & Commute
Consider daily travel time. Some scholarships include boarding, which eliminates commute but means living away from home.
Boarding vs Day
Boarding scholarships are available at many regional and metropolitan schools. These can cover partial or full boarding fees in addition to tuition.
Scholarship Coverage
Scholarships range from 25% to 100% of tuition fees. Some also cover boarding, books, or uniforms. Clarify exactly what is covered before accepting.
Test Type
Different schools use different tests (ACER, Edutest, or their own exam). Prepare specifically for the test format your target schools use.
School Culture & Values
Visit open days, talk to current families, and consider co-ed vs single-sex, religious affiliation, extracurricular strengths, and pastoral care.
Academic Program
Check if the school offers IB, HSC, VCE, or other curricula. Look at subject breadth, extension programs, and university pathways.
Specialist Scholarships
Music, sport, art, and drama scholarships have their own audition/portfolio requirements separate from academic testing.
Application Timing
Different scholarship programs have different deadlines. Some close a full year before entry. Plan early and track deadlines carefully.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided as a general guide only and was compiled from publicly available school websites and government education department publications. Dates, test formats, application deadlines, and scholarship availability change from year to year. Always verify details directly with the relevant school or education authority before making decisions. Edvora is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any school, testing body, or education department listed on this page. Links to school websites are provided for convenience only.
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