Brilliant Futures Gold Coast or Brisbane: is it right for your child?
Independent. Not affiliated with Queensland Academies, the Queensland Department of Education or Edutest.
Is Brilliant Futures right for your child?
For most families the honest default is this: choose Brilliant Futures for two years of enrichment, not as a way into an Academy. It runs beside your child's own school in Years 7 and 8, and Year 10 entry still has its own process.
Three things decide it for most families.
Which campus fits your child's interests
Brisbane links to QACI, the creative industries campus. The Gold Coast links to QAHS, the health sciences campus, with STEM-based workshops. 1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published
Whether the time and cost suit your family
Brisbane asks for at least one of the two learning engagements each term2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published, on weekdays after school or on weekends2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. The Gold Coast asks for at least four workshops each year1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
How do the two programs compare?
They share a test and a structure, but differ in campus, focus, cost and rules. Set them side by side before you decide.
| Brisbane, with QACI | Gold Coast, with QAHS | |
|---|---|---|
| Linked campus | QACI, Kelvin Grove 3Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | QAHS, Gold Coast 3Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Who can apply | Children in Year 6 in 20262Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | Children in Year 61Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Entry test | an Edutest entrance test of about 3 hours2Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published | The same Edutest test 4Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Extra entry rule | None on the program page | NAPLAN in the upper two bands in most components1Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Year 7 | the Introductory Year, an introduction to IB ways of learning2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | the Introductory Year of online and face-to-face STEM courses and workshops1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Year 8 | The Inquiry Year: a camp and a personal inquiry project2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | the Investigative Year of hands-on science inquiry, with a STEM Camp1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Commitment | at least one of the two learning engagements each term2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published; required to attend on-campus workshops2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | at least four workshops each year1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published, and keep up their current level of school results across each report1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Application fee | A$2702Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | A$2701Qld Academies · 14 October 2026 · Published |
| Program fee | $300 a year2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | $250 a year1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Camp | about $150 to $175, in Year 82Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | $100 to $150 for the STEM Camp1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Late applications | Not stated on the program page | no late applications3Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published |
A child can't be a member of both programs1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. There is also no automatic transfer between programs or Academies1Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Which way do your answers point?
Answer these questions in order. The first answer that fits is the one that matters most.
| Question | If yes | If no |
|---|---|---|
| Question 1: Do you want a full-time Academy place, not enrichment? | Apply for QASMT Year 7 or for Year 10 instead; Brilliant Futures isn't a place | Go to Question 2 |
| Question 2: Is your child in Year 6 and keen on creative industries or health sciences? | One program may suit, as enrichment beside their own school | An Academy isn't on the table yet; plan for Year 10 |
| Question 3: Can your family give the time each term, and the fees? | Apply to the program whose campus fits | Wait for Year 10, which needs no program first |
Every case, in one table
| Your situation | The likely answer | What would change it |
|---|---|---|
| Wants an Academy from Year 7 | QASMT Year 7, applied for in Year 55Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published | Missing the QASMT round |
| Year 6, loves drama, film or design | Brisbane, with QACI | Not enough time each term |
| Year 6, loves science and health | Gold Coast, with QAHS | NAPLAN below the upper two bands in most parts 1Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Holds a QASMT Year 7 place | Neither: can't stay in Brilliant Futures after accepting an Academy place for Year 7 or 81Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published | Declining the QASMT place |
| Wants Year 10 at QASMT | Neither program leads there; apply for Year 10 | Nothing: there is no automatic transfer into QASMT 1Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Does Brilliant Futures lead to a Year 10 place?
Not automatically. Year 9 is a pre-academy year, and the program pages describe it for members who are offered a Year 10 place.
Brisbane, in Year 9
Members get an admissions interview, the final part of the Year 10 process, for children offered a QACI Year 10 place2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Gold Coast, in Year 9
Members get an enrolment interview, the final stage of the Year 10 process, for children offered a QAHS Year 10 place1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
A different Academy for Year 10
A Gold Coast member who wants another Academy needs a new application to that Academy1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published, and leaves the program.
Not placed, or leaving early
Children who aren't placed, or who leave the program, can still apply for Year 10 the normal way. 1Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published
Year 10 places across all three Academies come from the Year 10 process. Read how Year 10 entry works.
What does it cost, in money and time?
Both programs charge an application fee, a yearly program fee and a camp levy. Optional workshops can cost more. 2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published
Brisbane program fee
Gold Coast program fee
application fee, Brisbane
Time matters as much as money. Brisbane sessions run on weekdays after school or on weekends2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published, and members are required to attend on-campus workshops2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. Brisbane also offers optional workshops in dance, theatre, film, music, design and visual arts, which may cost extra2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Who can apply, and how are children chosen?
Children apply in Year 6 and sit an Edutest entrance test of about 3 hours2Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published. The Gold Coast also expects NAPLAN in the upper two bands in most components1Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published, shown in Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN reports1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Your child is in Year 6 in 20262Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published for the 2027 start.
Once in the program, send semester report cards and NAPLAN reports as they become available2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Living far away? For Brisbane, apply and contact Edutest at least 7 business days before applications close2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Selection decisions are final, with no internal review and no feedback2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
There are no individual results or parent reports5Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What happens between applying and the test?
For the Gold Coast program, the Academies' Entrance Test Policy sets the steps. 4Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published The invitation to register arrives within 5 school days of applying3Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Register within 3 days of the invitation email, and before the test registration close, whichever is sooner4Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. Sessions are allocated automatically, with no requests for a preferred session or venue4Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published, so plan around the date you're given.
If your child needs test adjustments, contact Queensland Academies before registering for the test4Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. Brisbane's program page gives its own test date and says Edutest runs it, so check that page for its steps. 2Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published
What if your child is sick on test day?
Keep them home. Under the Entrance Test Policy, a sick child must not attend the test4Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published, and you then need a medical certificate emailed within 3 school days of the test4Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
A deferred test is offered with a valid medical certificate, if a later test is available3Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. Other clashes don't count: deferral is not for routine school activities, local events, family holidays in term time or personal travel3Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
If a child misses the test and you don't email within the time allowed, the application is cancelled and any fees paid are forfeited4Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. One short email protects the application.
How hard is the test for a Year 6 child?
Hard by design, and that's normal. Edutest says most students get only half of the questions correct6Edutest · 13 October 2026 · Published, and many students do not finish every question6Edutest · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Tell your child this before the day, so a tough question doesn't feel like failing. Edutest scores each child compared with thousands of students in the same year level across Australia6Edutest · 13 October 2026 · Published, not against a perfect paper.
When are the Brilliant Futures dates?
Applications for the 2027 start closed 11 September 20262Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published. The Gold Coast test was on 10 October 20261Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published, and the Brisbane test is on 17 October 20262Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published.
The round ran most of the year. Brisbane applications opened on 27 January 20262Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published and the Gold Coast's on 2 February 20261Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published, and the Gold Coast closed on 11 September 20261Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published.
10 October 20261Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published
Gold Coast admissions test
At the Southport campus.
12 October 20261Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published
Gold Coast alternate sitting
For children with accepted test adjustments.
17 October 20262Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published
Brisbane entrance test
At the QACI campus, Kelvin Grove. Alternate sittings are the same day. 2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published
late Term 4 20262Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published
Outcomes for both programs
Gold Coast offers come late Term 4 20261Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Dates for programs starting in 2028, for children in Year 6 in 2027, are not published2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Not published for Brisbane and not published1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Not published for the Gold Coast.
What would change the answer?
A few facts can flip the default. Check each before you accept a place.
Your child accepts an Academy place in Year 7 or 8
Then your child can't stay in Brilliant Futures after accepting an Academy place for Year 7 or 81Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
You want both programs
You can't: a child can't be a member of both programs1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Your child's interests point to another campus
Joining the Gold Coast program and later wanting another Academy means a new application to that Academy1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Your child's results dip
Gold Coast members must keep up their current level of school results across each report1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
How does the choice work out for different families?
These cases use the published rules only. Each one states what it assumes.
Year 6, offered a Gold Coast place
Your child sat the Gold Coast test and an offer arrives in late Term 4.
Accept if your child wants two years of STEM enrichment and you can manage at least four workshops each year1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published and $250 a year1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Year 6, also applying for QASMT late
Your child is in Brilliant Futures Brisbane and gets a late QASMT Year 7 place.
Taking QASMT ends Brilliant Futures: your child can't stay in Brilliant Futures after accepting an Academy place for Year 7 or 81Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Year 5 now, thinking ahead
Your child is in Year 5 in 2026 and could apply in Year 6, in 2027.
Dates for programs starting in 2028 are not published2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Not published. Watch for them, and check NAPLAN first if the Gold Coast suits.
What can't anyone tell you yet?
No one can tell you whether your child will be offered a place, or a Year 10 place later. Families get no individual results or parent reports5Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published, and the next round's dates aren't out.
What families say about the program, on forums or at open days, is their own experience. It isn't official, and it can't predict your child's two years.
Questions parents ask about Brilliant Futures
Is Brilliant Futures an online program?
No. Brisbane members are required to attend on-campus workshops2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published, though some sessions may be online. The Gold Coast mixes online and face-to-face work. 1Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published
Can my child do Brilliant Futures and stay at their own school?
Yes. Both programs run beside your child's own school; Brisbane sessions run on weekdays after school or on weekends2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. 2Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published
Can we apply late?
Not for the Gold Coast, which has no late applications3Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published. Brisbane's program page gives no late round.
Will we get our child's test results?
No. There are no individual results or parent reports5Qld Academies · 12 October 2026 · Published, and selection decisions are final, with no internal review and no feedback2Qld Academies · 13 October 2026 · Published.