Year 7 in Queensland: choosing a high school.

If you grew up interstate, or in Queensland before 2015, this one can catch you out. Year 7 used to be the last year of primary school here. Since 2015 it's been the first year of high school, in state and non-state schools alike.^[1][2]

That means the big decision comes during Year 6, a year earlier than some parents expect.

Your local high school and its catchment

Every state high school has a catchment. If you live inside it, your child is entitled to a place there.

Popular schools close to capacity use an enrolment management plan. It puts children who live in the catchment first, and only offers out-of-catchment places once local families are looked after and room is kept for future growth.^[3] Principals are told to be especially careful with out-of-catchment places in the entry year, which for high school is Year 7.^[3]

Each school's plan, with its catchment map, is published on the Department of Education website. Look it up early, because a few things about it surprise people:

• You need to prove where you live. Expect to show a lease, rates notice or contract of sale, often with a utility bill.^[3]
• Catchments change. Living inside today's boundary doesn't guarantee a place in a few years' time.^[3]
• Some children count as in-catchment anyway. Brothers and sisters of current students are one example.^[3]

Applying outside your catchment

It's possible, but not guaranteed. Where a school has room, out-of-catchment applications usually go on a waiting list and are assessed in order.^[3][4] At the most sought-after schools, there may be no places at all.

Programs of excellence

Many state high schools keep a set number of places for programs of excellence in areas such as music, STEM or sport.^[3] These have their own application process, sometimes with an audition, trial or test, and they can be a way into a school outside your catchment. Check the school's enrolment plan for how many places it holds and when applications open.

Selective high schools

Few state schools choose Year 7 students on academic results. The best known are the Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology in Toowong, and the academic selective entry pathway at Brisbane State High School. Both use an entrance test.

Our guide to selective entry for Year 7 covers how each one works.

Catholic and independent schools

Non-state schools run their own enrolments, often on earlier timelines than state schools, and many offer scholarships with their own tests. Ask each school directly for its dates.

A simple timeline

The timeline above is a general guide. Every school sets its own dates, so check with each one.

Getting ready for the work

The step up in Year 7 is real: more teachers, more subjects, more homework. The children who cope best usually aren't the ones who did the most practice tests. They're the ones who arrive secure in Year 5 and 6 maths and confident reading longer texts. Fractions, decimals, percentages and written explanations carry straight through.