Enrol

Enrolling in a selective high school

Caringbah High School is an academically selective high school. Selective schools help gifted and talented students to learn by grouping them with other gifted and talented students, teaching them in specialised ways and providing educational materials at the appropriate level. Selective high schools are unzoned so parents can apply regardless of where they live.

Visit NSW Department of Education for more information on enrolling in selective high schools.

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Enrolment details for selective schools

Our school might have extra steps for enrolment in a selective high school. Our office staff are here to help, so contact us if you have any questions.

ENTRY INTO YEAR 7 2027

Year 7 enrolment applications are closed for 2027

Year 7 placements are administered by the Selective Education Team.  All applicants are required to register online.

For detailed information regarding Year 7 entry Department Of Education Selective Schools applications Year 7

ENTRY INTO YEARS 8 - 11 2027

Application process for entrance into Years 8 - 11 2027

Applications open on Wednesday 17 June 2026. Applications close on Friday 24 July 2026 at 3.00pm. Testing is required - Saturday 8 August 2026

For detailed information regarding Years 8 - 11 entry Department of Education Selective Schools applications Years 8 to 11

Select one of the following to submit your application:

  • Or submit in person - School term office hours are 8.30am to 3.00pm (payment is required to be made online) Applications can be left at the school office in an envelope with the student's name and what year they are applying for. Please include the photocopies of the school reports, birth certificate and the online payment receipt.

Applications will close on Friday 24 July 2026 at 3.00pm, there are No Exceptions.

Postal applications and emailed applications will not be accepted.

Submitting your application for entry in Years 8 - 11

  1. Download and complete the application form available from Wednesday 17 June 2026

  2. Pay online an application fee of either $140 or $50 and download a copy of the receipt to upload via the Google Form. Online payment link

    How to pay online (Pdf 148KB)

  3. A non-refundable payment of $140 is required if Caringbah High School is your 1st preference from the list of schools below. Your child will then be required to sit the test at Caringbah High School. The application fee pays for the setting and marking of the test by ACER and the supervision of the test by external invigilators.

  4. A non-refundable payment of $50 is required if Caringbah High School is your 2nd or 3rd preference, and your 1st preference is one of the schools listed below, who are coordinating their entrance test procedures and results with Caringbah High School.

    • Caringbah High School

    • Fort Street High School - Year 11 only

    • Girraween High School

    • Gosford High School

    • Hornsby High School

    • Hurlstone Agricultural High School

    • Macquarie Fields High School

    • NBSC Manly Selective Campus

    • Penrith Selective High School

    • St George Girls High School

    • Sydney Technical High School

  5. Submit the application form and required supporting documents in person or via the Google Form.

    Ensure all files are converted over to PDF format and are saved with the applicant's full name and year they are applying for.

    • Semester 1/2026 School Report (If this report hasn't been issued, please email it to the school once received)
    • Semester 2/2025 School Report
    • NAPLAN
    • Birth Certificate
    • Receipt from the online payment (payments will not be accepted at school)

  6. Complete the Higher Ability Selection Test on Saturday 8 August.

    The HAST Student Information Bulletin provides information regarding the test.

HAST-Information Bulletin

Please make direct contact with individual selective high schools you wish to seek enrolment, you may select up to three schools.

All applicants will be acknowledged via email a week after the closing date.

Placement outcomes will be released for Years 8 - 11 entry in September-October 2026.

Please note selection is based on the following criteria:

  • Performance in the ACER Higher Ability Selection Test
  • An assessment by the selection committee of your child’s two most recent school reports and the latest NAPLAN reports
  • An interview will be conducted for whom the offer of a place is being considered

Student numbers at Caringbah High School are limited to 150 places in each of the year groups from 7 - 10. In year 11 the principal determines the number of new students based on their performance in the Higher Ability Selective Test (HAST), school reports and an interview.

More about seeking enrolment at Caringbah High school

Does your child need extra support?

Our learning and support team is here to help. Visit Additional learning support before you complete the enrolment form to learn how we can best support your child.

Learn more

Students seeking to enrol in selective high schools

Students seeking to enrol in selective high schools must be Australian citizens or holders of a visa granting permanent resident status in Australia. Information on Australian citizenship is available on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website at:

Visa-Subclasses-and-Enrolment-Conditions.

School contributions

In NSW public schools, all financial contributions are voluntary. Every student has full access to the curriculum, regardless of whether contributions are made.

For more information, see Voluntary school contributions on the Department of Education's website.