Balmoral State High School: how does the Innovate Academy HAST test work?
Independent. Not affiliated with Balmoral State High School, the Queensland Department of Education or ACER.
Balmoral State High School's Innovate Academy takes one class each intake year1Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, chosen through an ACER HAST testing day costing A$2002Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published and reference checks. For Year 7 in 2028, the testing date is not published2Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Not published.
What is Balmoral's Innovate Academy?
It is a selective academic enrichment pathway2Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, with a focus on Mathematics, English, Science and Humanities2Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published. The school takes one class each intake year1Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, so places are few.
A place isn't for good. Staying in depends on meeting the program's expectations and staying highly engaged1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
In what order does Balmoral's selection happen?
Enrolment comes first, and the HAST comes after a shortlist. Your child must be enrolled at Balmoral first1Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, or the Academy won't consider them.
Enrol at Balmoral
Without an enrolment, there is no Academy place. 1Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
Reference checks
Children who do well in the HAST move on to reference checks with their primary school. 2Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
The outcome
Families hear one of three outcomes: Successful, Unsuccessful or For further consideration1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What does the expression of interest ask?
It asks for your child's own reflection and recent results. The questions are short, so help your child answer in their own words.
| Part of the form | What it asks for |
|---|---|
| Section 1: Student Reflection | why your child wants to join, the strengths they'd bring and their future goals1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Section 2: Academic Information | the two most recent report cards and the latest NAPLAN results, with any academic awards optional1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Anything else | Any extra information the school should consider 1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
Sending it doesn't mean a test seat. The school picks the shortlist from these forms. 1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
What happens on the HAST testing day?
Shortlisted children sit ACER's HAST at Balmoral. The school doesn't list which papers it uses, and ACER's test comes as three or four tests, chosen by the school4Brisbane State High · 12 October 2026 · Published.
The day costs A$2002Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published. If that is hard for your family, Balmoral may offer help with the testing fee for families in hardship1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published, so send a request with the form.
After the test, ACER sends results to the school, and the school contacts you5ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. Children who pass this phase move on to the reference checks. 2Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
How can my child get ready for the testing day?
Calmly, with no special course. ACER, which writes the HAST, says short-term training is unlikely to improve performance, and the best preparation is to read widely and think critically5ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published.
For Year 7 entry, the level is Junior Secondary, sat in Year 6 or Year 7 for entry into Year 7 or Year 85ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. ACER says past papers are not available5ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published, so look at ACER's Sample Question Booklet, sold in its online shop, plus a few free sample questions in each Student Information Bulletin5ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published to see the question styles.
The test isn't the last step here. Primary school references come after it, so steady effort in class counts too. 2Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
Can families outside the catchment apply?
Yes. The Excellence Programs are open in and out of catchment1Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, but enrolment still comes first. Balmoral is enrolment managed: direct enrolment is for families living in the catchment6Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Cost to check | Amount |
|---|---|
| Out-of-catchment enrolment application | A$1006Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Innovate Academy HAST testing day | A$2002Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Help for families in hardship | Possible, on request 1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published |
Both fees are separate, so a family outside the catchment should plan for each. Neither fee buys a place.
How many places are there, and is there a cut-off?
There is one class each intake year1Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published, and applications are judged on merit, not by the order they arrive1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Sending the form on the first day doesn't help.
No minimum HAST result is given: the cut-off is not published1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Not published. We don't rank schools, and no outside score predicts a place.
When is the next Innovate Academy testing day?
For Year 7 in 2028, the testing date is not published2Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Not published. Until it appears, the useful work is the enrolment and the expression of interest.
Check whether you live in Balmoral's catchment, and plan the enrolment either way. 6Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
Gather the two most recent report cards and the latest NAPLAN results, with any academic awards optional1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Talk with your child about the three reflection questions. 1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
Add the dates feed, so the testing day reaches you when it's published. 2Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Not published
What if your child isn't offered a place?
With one class a year, strong students miss out too. ACER says the HAST is built to challenge high achievers, so missing a place doesn't mean your child did badly5ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published.
"For further consideration" is not a no. Ask the school what it means for your child's application. 1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
Your child is still enrolled at Balmoral, with its other programs. A calm talk at home matters more than any one result.
Where is Balmoral, and what is the school day like?
Balmoral State High is at Corner of Thynne and Lytton Roads, Morningside Qld 41707Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published. The last period ends at 2:45pm, with after-school study in the Learning Centre until 4pm on Mondays and Thursdays8Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Later, students can take part in a partnership with Boeing Australia in Years 8 to 123Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published. Plan your commute opens the school in your own map app.
Is the Innovate Academy a good fit for your child?
It suits a child who wants more stretch in the core subjects. Tick what's true; nothing is saved or sent.
Your child is keen on Mathematics, English, Science and Humanities2Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
You're ready to enrol at Balmoral whether or not an Academy place follows. 1Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
Your child can keep up the engagement the program expects. 1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published
The trip to Morningside works on school days. 7Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published
Questions parents ask about Balmoral's Innovate Academy
Is Horizons Academy the same as the Innovate Academy?
The school uses both names on its website. 3Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published The application form says Innovate Academy, so ask the school if you're unsure.
Do we have to enrol at Balmoral before applying?
Yes. Your child must be enrolled at Balmoral first1Balmoral SHS · 12 October 2026 · Published to be considered.
Can my child sit the HAST at another school as well?
Yes. ACER says it means a separate sitting at each school, and only one school when two test on the same day5ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published, so check each school's date early.
Does applying early help?
No. Applications are assessed on merit, not by the order they arrive1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Is there help with the testing fee?
Possibly. Balmoral may offer help with the testing fee for families in hardship1Balmoral SHS · 13 October 2026 · Published, so send the request with the expression of interest.