High School
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International students can study in a boys only, girls only or co-educational high school (or secondary school ) in Sydney or a regional New South Wales township. Specialist high schools cater for talented students in a variety of areas including languages, technology, performing or creative arts, or sport.
Secondary school education in New South Wales consists of two stages:
- Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 10)
The NSW School Certificate is awarded to students in Year 10 who complete four years of junior high school or equivalent. - Senior Secondary (Years 11 and 12)
The Higher School Certificate (HSC) is a two-year program in Years 11 and 12. Successful completion of the HSC allows students to enter Australian and many overseas universities and other tertiary institutions.
Commencement dates
- Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 10)
Students can commence at any time during the academic year up to the start of Term 4. - Senior Secondary (Years 11 and 12)
The NSW senior secondary academic program is a two-year course (Years 11 and 12) of learning and assessment leading to the Higher School Certificate (HSC) qualification. Students should commence Year 11 at the start of the academic year (Term 1) to ensure that all learning and assessment requirements for the HSC can be met.
Entry Requirements
To be accepted into a NSW government high school, students must meet the following minimum entry requirements:
Academic
- Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 10)
Student must show evidence of good passing grades in their main academic subjects. - Senior Secondary (Years 11 and 12)
Students entering Year 11 must have completed the NSW School Certificate (Year 10) or its equivalent in Australia or overseas and have good passing grades in their main academic subjects.
English language competency
Students must provide evidence of at least one of the following requirements:
- Successful completion of an approved Intensive English course (English Preparation for High School) at a NSW Government Schools Intensive English Centre, TAFE NSW English Language Centre or selected private college
- Results from an approved English language test:
- Minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 5.5 for entry into Years 11 and 12 or a minimum IELTS score of 5.0 for entry into Years 7 to 10
- Equivalent results in another approved English language test (including TOEFL, STEP and SLEP) may also be accepted.
- Secondary studies have been instructed in English for a minimum of two years.
Accommodation and welfare
For details of acceptable accommodation and welfare options, click here.
Fees
For information about fees, click here.
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