Selective schools in South Australia: which program fits your child?
Independent. Not affiliated with the SA Department for Education, ACER or any school named here.
Does South Australia have selective schools?
Yes, through special entry programs. Schools marked with an asterisk on the Department's list are allowed to select students by audition, test or interview1SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
For academic entry, three programs use an ACER test. The Department adds that its page may not list every school or program1SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, so ask any school you are considering.
| Program | School | How children are chosen | Next test date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGNITE | Glenunga, The Heights and Aberfoyle Park 1SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | One ACER assessment: Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Written Expression2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published | 20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Health and STEM pathway | Adelaide Botanic 1SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | a school report, a 2 minute introduction video and the HAST3Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published | December 2026–February 20273Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published |
| STEM program | Norwood International 1SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | the Higher Ability Selection Test4Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Published, with an online application | Not published4Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Not published |
Which program fits which child?
Each program looks for something different. IGNITE moves faster through the work, while Adelaide Botanic offers extension and stretch rather than acceleration3Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What other programs choose students?
The same list has programs that choose for other talents. Music centres take students by audition1SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Area | Schools listed with an asterisk |
|---|---|
| Music | Brighton, Marryatville, Playford and Woodville1SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Languages | Adelaide High, Norwood (Italian Immersion) and Unley (French bilingual)1SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Entrepreneurial | Banksia Park, Heathfield and Seaton1SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Primary industries | Urrbrae Agricultural High School1SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
This guide covers the test-based academic programs. For the others, ask the school, or the Enrolment, Capacity and Transition Unit1SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published at the Department.
What is in the tests?
All three academic programs use ACER's Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST), sat on paper. IGNITE uses all four parts: Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Written Expression2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
| Program | What is involved |
|---|---|
| IGNITE | Four papers, about 32Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published hours with a break |
| Adelaide Botanic | a school report, a 2 minute introduction video and the HAST3Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published |
| Norwood STEM | Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning7Norwood International · 13 October 2026 · Published, plus an application |
ACER says the HAST checks skills and aptitude, not retrieved knowledge8ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published. Marking uses machine scoring for multiple choice, and qualified human markers for the writing8ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published.
One detail calms many children: no marks are deducted for wrong answers9Brisbane State High · 13 October 2026 · Published. After you register for IGNITE, sample questions come with the registration letter10The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published. Read what is in each IGNITE paper.
When are the SA test dates for Year 7 in 2028?
IGNITE has published its dates: registrations open 2 November 20262Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published and the assessment is on 20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published. Adelaide Botanic and Norwood haven't published theirs yet.
2 November 20262Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
IGNITE registrations open
On ACER's HAST portal, for one school. 2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
The IGNITE assessment
The close date is not published2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Not published.
December 2026–February 20273Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published
Adelaide Botanic, Health and STEM
The usual pattern: the HAST usually in late February or early March3Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published.
Not published4Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Not published
Norwood STEM test
Check Norwood's website over summer.
What happened last round?
For Year 7 in 2027, here is what each program published.
| Step | IGNITE | Adelaide Botanic |
|---|---|---|
| Applications open | — | 19 December 20253Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Applications close | 11 February 20265The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published at The Heights; each school sets its own | 15 February 20263Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Test | 21 February 202610The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published | 28 February 20263Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Fee | A$1505The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published | A$1153Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published |
See every IGNITE date, with the round for your child's school year.
What should a Year 5 family do now?
Shortlist this term, then act on each program's own timetable. Put the IGNITE dates in your calendar first, because they are already set.
This term, shortlist
Read each school's own page. Aberfoyle Park is running an information evening for the 2028 intake (register interest on the school's site)11Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Over summer, check Norwood
Its HAST date for Year 7 in 2028 is not published4Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Not published.
On 20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, the IGNITE assessment
Keep the morning calm and the weekend free.
Can my child sit more than one test?
Yes, across programs, but not within IGNITE. For IGNITE the rule is one school, one sitting2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
With HAST, each school chooses its own test date8ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published, and a package has three or four tests, chosen by the school9Brisbane State High · 12 October 2026 · Published. When schools' dates differ, ACER says your child needs a separate sitting at each school, on its own date12ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Combination | Can your child do it? |
|---|---|
| IGNITE at more than one school | No. It's one school, one sitting2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published. |
| IGNITE and Adelaide Botanic | Yes, with a separate sitting at each school, on its own date12ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| IGNITE and Norwood STEM | Yes, under the same rule; Norwood's date is not published4Norwood · 12 October 2026 · Not published |
Does living in zone matter?
Often not for these programs. ACER notes that some schools use test results to offer places to students from outside the school zone12ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| School | What it says about zone |
|---|---|
| Adelaide Botanic | Up to 303Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published out-of-zone selective places a year |
| The Heights | IGNITE students get a place in or out of zone, up to 4010The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published places |
| Aberfoyle Park | IGNITE is open regardless of zone11Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published |
What do the tests cost?
Both test fees below are from last round, so check with the school before you pay.
What happens after the test?
You wait some weeks, then news comes by email. Last round, IGNITE results came within nine to ten weeks of the test5The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published and offers came early to mid Term 2, possibly in two rounds10The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published.
The school, not ACER, is your contact here: ACER sends results to the school, which then contacts you12ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published. The report compares your child with other students of a similar age who sat the same test12ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
If no offer is made, a child may be offered a place on the waiting list10The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published. ACER adds that the test is built to challenge high achievers, so missing a place doesn't mean your child did badly13ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published. Read how IGNITE results and offers work.
How is South Australia different from NSW?
In NSW, families list up to 314NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published selective schools, and offers go on test performance and the order of your school choices14NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. In SA, each program runs its own entry, and IGNITE takes one school per child.
| South Australia | NSW Selective | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's sat | written tests; laptops not required5The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published | On computers provided by the Department15NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Schools per child | IGNITE: one 2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published | Up to 314NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Cost | IGNITE: A$1505The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published last round | free16NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Where | An IGNITE school, or a country or interstate primary school with approval 2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published | Held only in NSW15NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Moving from NSW? The NSW test is held only in NSW15NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. Read about the NSW Selective test.
Does my child need coaching?
No. Asked whether a child needs tutoring or coaching for HAST, ACER says it is not needed12ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published. Its advice is to read widely and think critically12ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Keep the months before a test ordinary and calm. Your child is more than one test.
Questions parents ask about selective schools in South Australia
Is Glenunga a selective school?
Glenunga is a Department for Education Special Interest School for students with high intellectual potential2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published. It is one of the 32Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published IGNITE schools. Read about Glenunga.
Is Adelaide Botanic selective?
Partly. It has up to 303Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published out-of-zone selective places a year in its Health and STEM pathway.
Is there a ranking of SA selective schools?
Not here: we don't rank schools. For IGNITE, a score needed for an offer is not published2Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Not published.
Can families from interstate apply?
For IGNITE, yes: country and interstate children may sit at their own primary school with principal approval2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published. The rule is families must live in Australia2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Do other states have selective tests?
Yes, most states run their own, with different tests and dates. Compare selective tests in every state.