Changes to Year 8 entry into selective high schools from 2028
What families sitting the 2027 Selective High School Placement Test need to know
Nov 12 2026
The NSW Department of Education has changed how students join a selective high school in Year 8. The picture below sums up the Department's page, and the Department's own words are quoted underneath.
✓ not have an accepted offer at a fully or partially selective high school
✓ be on a school reserve list beyond the reserve decision date
✓ be enrolled and attending a comprehensive public high school (non-selective school or class)
✗ students already in Year 7 at a selective high school in 2028 and beyond (cannot apply for Year 8 at another selective high school)
What the Department says
All of the following is quoted from the NSW Department of Education page Selective high schools – Years 8 to 11 applications (last updated 06-Nov-2026).
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.”
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.”
Why the process has changed
“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.”
Getting on a reserve list for Year 8
“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 at non-government or selective high schools
“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.”
“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.”
Equity Placement Model and gender parity
“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.”
Year 7 offers from the reserve list
“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).”
Key dates: 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 |
The Department notes: “There may be changes to these dates and procedures, so please check back regularly for any updates.”
Please read the Department's page for the full details. For questions about preparing for the Selective High School Placement Test, please contact Pre-Uni New College on (02) 9746 7000 or [email protected].
中文翻译
以下是新州教育部网页 Selective high schools – Years 8 to 11 applications（2026年11月6日更新）的中文翻译，仅供参考。如有不同，以教育部英文原文为准。
8年级录取
“从2028年起，学生将不能再直接向精英中学申请8年级学位。学校的8年级空缺将由教育部管理的候补名单填补。”
2028年8年级录取
“2026年参加入学考试、2027年入读7年级的学生，可以申请2028年可能出现的8年级学位。”
2029年及以后的8年级录取
“2027年参加入学考试、2028年入读7年级，并在候补决定日期之后仍在候补名单上的学生，如果已经就读于公立中学（非精英学校或班级），在8年级第四学期开始之前都有资格获得录取。”
“只有就读于普通公立中学（非精英学校或班级）的学生，才有资格在2029年从候补名单获得8年级录取。”
为什么改变
“每年精英中学的8年级学位非常少，却收到大量申请。例如，2026年有超过1,100份申请，而可用学位不到10个。这意味着学校职员要为少数学位处理大量申请。把候补名单扩展到8年级录取，是为了更好地应对这种情况。”
如何进入8年级候补名单
“您的孩子必须参加过精英中学入学考试，没有接受全精英或部分精英中学的录取，并在候补决定日期之后仍在某所学校的候补名单上。学生还必须在普通公立中学（非精英学校或班级）注册并就读，才有资格从候补名单获得8年级录取。”
非公立学校或精英中学的学生
“不就读于普通公立中学（非精英学校或班级）的学生，从2028年起将没有资格获得精英中学的8年级录取。”
“不能。2028年及以后已经在精英中学读7年级的学生，将不能申请另一所精英中学的8年级学位。”
公平录取模式（Equity Placement Model）和性别比例
“是的。出现空缺时，学位将提供给同一性别或同一公平录取组别的学生。当性别候补名单或公平录取名额用完后，学位可能会提供给其他学生。”
候补名单上的7年级录取
“参加2027年入学考试、在候补决定日期之后仍在2028年7年级候补名单上的学生，如果学校出现空缺，可能会获得录取。对候补名单上的所有学生，这可持续到7年级第一学期结束；如果学生已经就读于公立中学（非精英学校或班级），可持续到7年级第四学期开始。”
重要日期：2028年8至11年级入学
| 日期 | 事项 |
|---|---|
| 2027年6月 | 开始申请 |
| 2027年7月 | 申请截止 |
| 2027年7月至8月 | 学校通知评估要求 |
| 2027年8月至9月 | 进行评估（如适用） |
| 2027年9月至10月 | 公布8至11年级入学录取结果 |
| 2028年1月下旬 | 获录取的学生进入精英中学 |
教育部说明：“这些日期和程序可能会有变化，请经常查看更新。”
如对准备精英中学入学考试（Selective High School Placement Test）有疑问，请联系 Pre-Uni New College：(02) 9746 7000 或 [email protected]。
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