Applications for 2027 entry to NSW selective schools and opportunity classes will open on 6 November 2025, with the Minns Labor Government addressing a growing gender imbalance in coeducational selective schools.
From the 2027 intake onwards, there will be an equal number of selective places available for girls and boys at all selective and partially selective high schools, as well as opportunity classes in public primary schools.
This change aims to address a decline in girls accepting, as well as applying for, places in opportunity classes and coeducational selective schools.
The gender mix in selective high schools is now 58 per cent boys and 42 per cent girls, while in opportunity classes it is 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.
The imbalance has grown in recent years, from 45 percent of Year 7 places being taken up by girls in 2019 to only 41 per cent in 2025.
In some circumstances, this has led to imbalanced cohorts that are more than 75 per cent male.
Parent feedback has shown girls have concerns about the over-representation of boys at coeducational selective schools, leading girls not to accept places offered to them.
Introducing an equal number of places in opportunity classes and selective and partially selective high schools ensures a healthy gender balance across classes and schools.
Entry to opportunity classes and selective high schools for boys and girls will continue to be based on performance in the placement test.
All students currently enrolled in a selective high school or opportunity class, or who are offered places for 2026, are not affected by these changes.
Applications for 2027 entry will close on 20 February 2026. As announced earlier this year, testing will be conducted at local public school settings from 2026.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The Minns Labor Government is working to provide opportunities for students to thrive, with applications to open for 2027 selective school and opportunity class entry in the coming weeks.
"There's a growing decline in girls accepting places in opportunity classes and selective high schools, and we want to ensure our schools have a healthy gender balance.
"Alongside our work to rollout high potential and gifted education across all of our public schools, we are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their potential."
