Secondary school starts in Year 7 in every state and territory and runs to Year 12. The choice shapes your child's teenage years, so it is worth starting early, particularly if you are considering selective, Catholic or independent schools, whose applications can close years ahead.
Know the timeline
- Catholic and independent schools: many take applications for Year 7 while children are in Year 4 or Year 5, and popular schools can have long waiting lists.
- Selective schools: in New South Wales, applications for Year 7 close and the test is sat in Year 5; in Victoria, the selective entry exam is sat in Year 8 for Year 9 entry. See selective schools explained.
- Government high schools: the application is usually made in Year 6, often through your child's primary school.
- Specialist programs, such as music, sport or academic streams, often have their own applications and auditions.
What to look at
- The subjects and pathways offered in Years 11 and 12, including vocational education and training (VET) and school-based apprenticeships, not only the main senior certificate subjects
- Wellbeing and pastoral care: who looks out for your child day to day, and how the school handles mental health, bullying and phones
- The transition into Year 7: orientation days, buddy programs, and how new students make friends
- Co-curricular activities: sport, music, drama, debating, and when they run
- The journey: a long commute every day costs a teenager time and sleep
- The school's My School profile, read alongside similar schools rather than on its own
Questions to ask on a tour
- How are students supported in Year 7, and who is their main contact?
- Are classes streamed by ability in any subjects?
- What happens if my child needs learning support, or is ready to accelerate?
- How do you help students choose senior subjects and plan beyond school?
- What is your approach to phones, devices and online safety?
- For Catholic and independent schools: what will the total cost be in Year 7, and in Year 12?
Involve your child
By Year 6, your child will have strong views. Take them on tours, ask them what they noticed, and give their feelings real weight. A school where they can see themselves fitting in is more likely to be one where they thrive.
Keep a back-up
Keep your local government high school as a back-up until you have accepted a place elsewhere. Find secondary schools near you, browse private schools by area, and enquire with several at once: an enquiry costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
Common questions
- When should I apply for a Year 7 place?
- For a government high school, usually during Year 6. For Catholic and independent schools, often in Year 4 or Year 5, and earlier for popular schools. For NSW selective schools, the application and test are in Year 5. Check each school's dates.
- Does it matter what senior subjects a school offers?
- It can. Schools differ in the senior subjects, vocational courses and pathways they run, and a smaller school may combine classes or offer some subjects online. If your child has a particular interest, ask how the school supports it in Years 11 and 12.
- Should I choose a single-sex or co-educational school?
- There is no clear answer that suits every child. Some children feel more confident in a single-sex school; others prefer a mixed environment. Visit both kinds if you can, and see where your child seems most at ease.
- Can my child change secondary schools later?
- Yes. Students can move schools at any year level, subject to places. Many non-government schools have a second intake around Year 9 or Year 10, and your local government school must take you if you live in its area.
Sources
We check guides against official sources. Rules can change, and some details vary by area, so check with the source before you act.
Last updated 1 November 2026.