How to enrol at a Public School

The following guidelines will help you with the public school enrolment process. Some selective and specialist schools may require additional information. Contact your local public school principal if you need any help. International students or temporary residents should visit the international students website for more information about how to enrol.

Each New South Wales public school has a defined local enrolment area. This means that your child is designated to a particular school based on the permanent residential address of their primary caregiver. It is not based on the school that your child may currently be attending. Every public school reserves enough places within their school for students in their local enrolment area. To find out the name and location of your local public school, call 131 536 or contact your nearest Department of Education and Training regional office.

You may want more information to help you make an informed decision about your child's education. Public schools host information sessions and have printed material available for you to find out more. Our principals are also more than happy to discuss and demonstrate their school's achievements, activities and features, so give them a call to make an appointment.

Once you have made the decision to enrol your child, you will be asked to fill out an Application to enrol in a NSW Government school (pdf 142kb) form and submit it to your local school. Forms are available from your local public school, your local regional office or online at www.schools.nsw.edu.au You will require proof of identity (e.g. birth certificate), an immunisation certificate (for primary school enrolments) and proof of address for your child.

Your application will be considered by the school principal to ensure that your child's needs have been identified and assessed. In most cases this process will be completed very quickly. In some circumstances, it will be necessary for the school to gather further information prior to finalising their decision. You can assist by ensuring the information on your application form is accurate and complete.

You will be notified by the school of the result of your application. Please do not purchase items such as uniforms until you receive confirmation of enrolment. If your application is accepted, the information you have provided will be used by the school to formally enrol your child.

Out-of-area applications
When it comes to considering out-of-area applications, our public school principals are required to follow departmental policy. This is because we must ensure that all eligible in-area students wishing to attend their local school are able to do so. Depending on resources, some schools may be able to accept additional students from outside their enrolment area at the discretion of the school's enrolment panel. Applications for non-local (out-of-area) enrolments are considered using a range of criteria, including the availability of appropriate staff and classroom accommodation. Contact the school to find out more about their out-of-area selection criteria.

Enrolling a child with special needs
As a parent or carer of a child with a learning difficulty or disability, you have access to a team of people from your local regional office who will assist you with your child's enrolment. Depending on your location and your child's needs, you may have access to regular classes in regular schools, support classes in regular schools or a school with specific support services. Before enrolling your child, you will be asked to contact the student support team at your local regional office. For additional information, see our disability programs section.

Your new school will host an orientation day for children starting at the school the following year. This is usually held before the end of the school year and is designed to acquaint children with the grounds, teachers, classrooms and fellow students. The date for this will be advised by your school along with information about uniforms, travel options and other important details.

For further information on enrolling your child read our information for parents, contact your local public school or contact your nearest regional office.