How to lodge the application

Note that the online application procedures for government and non-government schools are slightly different. Please apply using the appropriate procedures as described below.

SCROLL DOWN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON:

•  HOW TO APPLY ONLINE
• HOW TO APPLY ON PAPER
• ATTACHMENTS
• EXEMPTIONS FROM PROVIDING SCHOOL ASSESSMENT SCORES (NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS ONLY)
• CHANGE OF APPLICATION DETAILS
• COURT ORDERS
• VIRTUAL SELECTIVE CLASS PROVISION
• INTERSTATE AND OVERSEAS STUDENTS

All applicants:

• Read the application information carefully.
• Click on the online application link
• Register your application by entering your email address. Click "Submit." You will be sent an email from the Unit with a link to the correct website and your password. Go to the website and log on using your email address and password.
• Instructions on completing the form are provided at the website. Each page of the form will be presented to you in turn. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory and the program will not let you proceed to the next page unless they are completed. When you have completed all of the required fields on the page click the "Next" button to go to the next page. To return to the previous page click the "Previous" button.
• To leave your application before you have finished go to the next page then close your browser. You will need to log in again when you return. In providing your email address please do not supply a student's address.
• When you have completed your application click "Submit."  Once you have submitted your form you will NOT be able to return to it to make further changes online. To do that you will need to contact the Unit in writing.

After submitting your application you will receive a return email with:

• a confirmation of your application
• your child's student number which is required for all communication with the Unit
• a copy of the application form which you just lodged
• an "Attachments Cover Sheet" which you will need if you are  required to forward other documents (See Attachments below)
• a page for the student's school principal to complete (for students attending non-government schools and for late applications whether from government or non-government schools).

All applications for students attending government primary schools will be made available to the student's primary school principal who will complete the school section of the application online. No further action is required unless your application is late.

Non-government school applicants also need to:

•  indicate whether or not they give consent for the school principal to be consulted about the school assessment scores and other related details.
• print a copy of the application form and the principal's page just emailed to them by the Unit. They should hand both to the principal of the student's non-government school. The principal is asked to complete the principal's page and forward it to the Unit.
• read the information under the heading, "Exemption from providing school assessment scores", below for instructions about what to do in cases where the principal of the school will not process the application.

MADE A MISTAKE? If you discover that you have made an error after submitting your online application please DO NOT complete another online application or a paper application for the same student. Just email or write to the Unit explaining the correction(s) you would like to make.

All applicants:

Parents without internet access must apply using the commercially printed application form. Since each form has a unique barcode, under no circumstances should a photocopied version of the form be used.

Since the form will be processed using electronic scanning techniques, please print neatly within the boxes using black pen and BLOCK CAPITALS. Do NOT write 'not applicable', 'nil' or draw a line through any of the boxes that are not relevant as this will interfere with the scanning process. If a section of the form is not relevant leave it blank.

Please photocopy your application for later reference and hand the original to the principal of your child's primary school by the due date. The principal will complete the school section and forward the completed application to the Unit.

Parents will receive an acknowledgement of the receipt of their paper application in early February 2013.

Non-government school applicants also need to: 

• read the information under the heading, "Exemption from providing school assessment scores", below for instructions about what to do in cases where the principal of the school will not process the application.
• read the information under the heading, "Exemption from providing school assessment scores", below for instructions about what to do in cases where the principal of the school will not process the application.

In making an application you may be required to provide copies of supporting documents such as birth certificates, medical certificates or other documentation as indicated in the application form.

If applying with a paper application form, please fasten your attachments to the back of the form, taking care to allow the principal access to the school section of the form. Please provide photocopies only but note that originals may be required at a later date.

If you are applying online you may forward these by post, fax or email. Please complete and include with your documents a copy of the "Attachment Cover Sheet" which will have been emailed to you when you submitted your application. When emailing please use the contact email account you provided in your application.

Attachments that should be included

• information  about a disability, medical condition or behavioural disorder and their effects on the academic performance of students and special test provisions that may be required
• the results of individual IQ tests if appropriate. Note that these must be provided as a complete IQ report
• supporting information where students are outside the normal age range
• copy of court orders if they apply (see below)
• supporting information where students are in Year 5 or Year 7 in 2013.

DO NOT SEND attachments such as:

• school reports
• school specific merit or behaviour certificates
• achievements in the performing arts or sports
• copies of State or national tests such as NAPLAN
• certificates from statewide competitions.

Note: Attachments should be A4 one-sided copies.

Where further information is necessary the selection committee may approach the current primary school or request further information from parents.

 All applicants attending non-government primary schools must lodge their applications with their school principals for school assessment scores and comments. Where the principal is unwilling to process the application form parents must seek a formal exemption. Download the exemption form and print.

Formal exemptions will NOT generally be granted by the selection committee to applicants who do not have school assessment scores when other students from the same school do.

Note 1: If a formal exemption has been granted, applications will usually be considered on the basis of the Selective High School Placement Test only.

Note 2: Applications for home schooled and interstate or overseas students do not require formal exemption as these school assessment scores cannot be moderated.

No formal exemptions are required where government school principals are unable to provide school assessment scores. This occurs mostly in cases where the student has arrived late in the assessment period or after it has concluded.

 Please inform the Unit by mail or email if there is a change in details such as your child's name or school, your postal or email address or if you want to withdraw your application. Changes of application details will not be accepted by phone.

 If there are any family law, apprehended violence orders or other relevant court orders in relation to such matters as the education of the student, restricting access to the student's record or restricting the provision of information about the student, please complete the relevant section of the application and attach or forward a complete copy of the orders.

Applicants for the virtual selective class provision, known as xsel, need to submit the standard application. The student's primary school principal will be required to complete the "Virtual selective class: Report of academic merit." This additional information is intended to assist the selection committee to assess whether the student is suitable for this method of teaching and learning. Principals will be able to download this form from the Directorate's intranet page and will attach it to the application once it is completed. Students currently enrolled in non-government schools will have to enrol in a government high school in the western region in Year 7 to participate in the virtual selective class provision.

Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of Australia temporarily living interstate or overseas who are unable to take the Selective High School Placement Test will be considered by the selection committee through either the interstate/overseas procedures or the illness/misadventure procedures.

• To use the illness/misadventure procedure students must have attended a NSW primary school during Year 5 and must have school assessment scores which can be moderated i.e. there must be at least two candidates from the school who have been given school assessment scores and have completed the test.
• To use the interstate/overseas procedure you should download a Report of academic merit for use by interstate and overseas applicants and arrange, at your own expense, for individual and standardised testing of your child by a registered psychologist or other qualified practitioner. You need to complete both the Report of academic merit for use by interstate and overseas applicants and the standard application.
• You must apply online by 19 November 2012. The rest of the material should be forwarded to reach the Unit as soon as possible but no later than 14 March 2013.