How does entry to Brisbane South's Biomedical Science Academy work?
Independent. Not affiliated with Brisbane South State Secondary College, the Queensland Department of Education or ACER.
Brisbane South State Secondary College fills its Biomedical Science Academy for Year 7 in 2028 two ways. Year 5 children sit the Biomedical Explorers test on 20 October 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published, and Year 7 applications open in Term 1 20272Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What is the Biomedical Science Academy?
It is the college's science program, run in collaboration with The University of Queensland2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published. It runs Year 7 to Year 122Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published, so a child who joins in Year 7 can stay in it through to Year 12.
The college calls itself one of Australia's newest state 'vertical' secondary schools2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published. The academy is one of its selective entry programs.
A university partner
The academy is built with The University of Queensland. 2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Real research
Students complete a 5-day Research Immersion program with leading researchers2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Their own elective
Students co-design their own elective for a research investigation2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Years 7 to 12
The academy continues through junior and senior school. 2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published
How can a child join the academy for Year 7 in 2028?
There are two routes. One starts in Year 5 with Biomedical Explorers, and the other is the usual Year 7 application.
| Biomedical Explorers | Year 7 application | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | children in Year 5, in or outside the catchment1Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published | Children applying for Year 7 2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Applications | Closed 11 September 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published | Open in Term 1 20272Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| The test | 20 October 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published | a test at the college; dates sent by email2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| What success brings | a conditional offer for the Biomedical Science Academy in Year 7 in 20281Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published | An academy place in Year 7 2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published |
If your child is in Year 5 and already applied, the Explorers test is close. If not, the Year 7 application is the next door to watch.
How does Biomedical Explorers work?
It is an early-entry pathway: a child tested in Year 5 can hold a conditional place for Year 7. The place stays conditional through Years 5 and 6. 1Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Apply with school results
The application included both Year 4 report cards, the Year 5 Semester 1 report card and the Year 5 NAPLAN report1Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published, plus a student questionnaire.
Receive a test invitation
Invitations went out by email on 7 October 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Sit the Explorers test
The Biomedical Explorers Selective Entry Test is on 20 October 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Hear the outcome
Conditional offers are issued on 6 November 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Keep the place
Your child needs the transition activities, continued excellence through Years 5 and 6, and an enrolment interview1Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Explorers fee | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Application processing fee | A$4001Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published | With the application, not refunded |
| Program fee | A$1501Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published | Only with a conditional offer |
| Academy confirmation fee | A$2001Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published | Credited to Year 7 academy fees |
What is the Year 7 academy test?
Year 7 applicants sit a test held at the college, and the dates are emailed to families. 2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published The college doesn't name the test on its academy page or publish its parts.
The college is, though, on ACER's list of HAST schools, at the Junior secondary level3ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. Ask the college which papers your child would sit, and how long the test runs.
Because the dates arrive by email, watch your inbox closely. The college warns that some email services flag Education Queensland emails as spam or junk2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Is there a cut-off for the academy?
No score is published. The academy's cut-off, test content and number of places are not published2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Not published.
The Principal makes the selective entry decisions, and they are final. 4Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published We don't rank schools, and no outside score predicts a place.
Can families outside the catchment apply?
Yes. Selective Entry Programs are open to students in and out of the catchment, with the Principal's decision final4Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published. Biomedical Explorers is open to Year 5 children both in and outside the catchment. 1Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
For a family outside the catchment, the academy is a way into the college. Fees for the Year 7 academy are advised in Term 1 each year2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Can older students join the academy?
Yes, in Years 8 to 10. Applications for the 2027 intake closed on 9 October 20262Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published.
For that intake there was no fee in the catchment, or a $250 administration fee out of catchment2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published. Watch the academy page for any later round.
When are the academy dates for Year 7 in 2028?
The Explorers test is on 20 October 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published, with offers on 6 November 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published. Year 7 applications open in Term 1 20272Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published.
11 September 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Explorers applications closed
7 October 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Test invitations emailed
20 October 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Biomedical Explorers Selective Entry Test
6 November 20261Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Conditional offers issued
Term 1 20272Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published
Year 7 academy applications open
An information session is planned in 2027, with details posted in Term 12Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
How can my child get ready?
The college publishes no test content, so there is nothing specific to drill. 2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Not published Keep up reading, curiosity about science and steady schoolwork.
Explorers asked for school reports and NAPLAN, so keep recent ones to hand. 1Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published A good night's sleep before the test matters more than a late study session, and one test is only one part of your child's story.
Where is the college, and when is the school day?
The Department's schools directory lists the college at 179 Annerley Road, Dutton Park 41025Qld Education · 13 October 2026 · Published; its postal address is PO Box 218, Annerley Qld 41036Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published. Classes run 8:40am to 2:50pm7Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Plan your commute opens the college in your own map app.
Is the academy a good fit for your child?
It suits a child who is curious about science and medicine. Tick what's true; nothing is saved or sent.
Your child enjoys science and wants to do research. 2Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Staying in the program from Year 7 to Year 12 suits your child. 2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published
For Explorers, your child can keep up results through Years 5 and 6. 1Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
The trip to the college works on school days. 7Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Questions parents ask about Brisbane South's academy
What does the Biomedical Science Academy cost?
Year 7 academy fees are advised in Term 1 each year2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published. Explorers has its own fees, listed above. 1Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published
Is the Explorers test the same as the Year 7 test?
The college doesn't say. It gives them different names, so ask before you plan. 2Brisbane South SSC · 12 October 2026 · Published
When is the next information session?
It is planned in 2027, with details posted in Term 12Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What time does the college finish?
Classes run 8:40am to 2:50pm7Brisbane South SSC · 13 October 2026 · Published.