Adelaide Botanic High School: how STEM selective entry works
Independent. Not affiliated with Adelaide Botanic High School, the SA Department for Education or ACER.
Adelaide Botanic High School offers up to 301Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published out-of-zone places a year in its Health and STEM pathway, through a school-run application and ACER's HAST. Applications for Year 7 entry in 2028 run December 2026–February 20271Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published.
How does entry to Adelaide Botanic's Health and STEM pathway work?
Through an application the school runs itself, plus ACER's HAST. Places are allocated through an application process managed by the school2Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published, not through IGNITE or a Department test.
Apply online to the school
Last round this was an online application about your child's interest and past experience in STEM1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Upload two things
A copy of the Year 5 semester 2 school report and a 2 minute introduction video. 1Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published
Accept an offer, then enrol
Holding an accepted offer in the Health and STEM pathway3Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published is one route to a Year 7 place through the Department's process.
Who can apply for the pathway?
Children in Year 6 who live outside the school zone and show strong interest in STEM. Last round the pathway was for Year 6 students in 2026, entering Year 7 in 20271Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The school says it is open to families from all over South Australia, whatever their address2Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published. Families are expected to intend to finish Year 12 at the school1Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published, so it suits a child who plans to stay to Year 12.
How many places are there?
Up to 301Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published a year, all for students who live out of zone. The Department has the pathway listed by the Department for selective entry4SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, meaning the school is allowed to select students by audition, test or interview4SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
out-of-zone places a year, at most
the HAST fee last round
Adelaide Botanic is also subject to a Capacity Management Plan3Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published, which is why out-of-zone places are limited.
What happened in the last round?
These were last round's dates, for Year 7 in 2027. Use them as a guide only until the school confirms the next round.
When are the dates for Year 7 entry in 2028?
For Year 7 entry in 2028, applications run December 2026–February 20271Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published. The school's two pages have described the window a little differently, so check both.
| Where | What it says |
|---|---|
| The pathway page | Usual test timing: the HAST usually in late February or early March1Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published |
| The Selective Entry page | The entry process runs early January to mid February of the year before starting2Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Last round | Applications opened 19 December 20251Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published |
The school notes its information is current, but may change1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What do pathway students get, and what do they commit to?
The pathway is for extension and stretch rather than acceleration1Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published. In return for the place, students make commitments for the senior years.
| What students get in Years 7 to 9 | What they commit to in Years 10 to 12 |
|---|---|
| right of entry for out-of-zone students1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published | To intend to finish Year 12 at the school1Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| STEM events and competitions in Years 7 to 91Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published | To study senior Mathematics, Science or Technology subjects1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Middle Years Studio participation1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published | To take part in national competitions and STEM extension activities and excursions1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| mentoring by school, industry or university students and staff1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published, and skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking, recorded in an ePortfolio1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published | To join the school's wider activities and leadership programs 1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published |
Is the Health and STEM pathway the same as IGNITE?
No. IGNITE is a separate gifted program at three other schools. 5Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published Adelaide Botanic looks for STEM interest, and the HAST is one part of a wider application.
Both use ACER tests, but each school runs its own sitting. When the schools' test dates differ, ACER says a child sits a separate sitting at each school, on its own date6ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published. See what is in the HAST.
Do families in the zone need the pathway?
No. Adelaide Botanic has a single shared zone with Adelaide High School7Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published, and living in the shared zone of Adelaide Botanic and Adelaide High3Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published is its own route to a Year 7 place.
In-zone places come through the Department for Education's transition process3Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published. When demand is high, if in-zone demand exceeds places, students are shared between the two schools7Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published. Families allocated for Year 7 in 2027 heard around mid-August3Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Where is Adelaide Botanic, and can we visit?
Adelaide Botanic High School is at 2 Frome Road, Adelaide SA 50008Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published, in the city. Students are a step away from gardens, museums, the Adelaide Zoo and the State Library of South Australia9Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published. Plan your commute opens the address in your own map app.
Learning draws on links with university neighbours, cultural institutions, local government and industry1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| Visiting and contacting | What the school says |
|---|---|
| Principal tours | Priority to in-zone families with children in the upper primary years10Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published; 3 people per family10Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Office hours | 8.30am to 4.30pm, except Wednesday from 10.00am8Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Phone | (08) 8214 77008Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Enrolment email | ABHS.enrolments30@schools.sa.edu.au8Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published |
Is there a cut-off score for the pathway?
No score is published: the HAST result needed for a place is not published1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Not published. Selection also weighs the written application, the report and the video. 1Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published
We don't rank schools or publish Year 12 results. Neither tells you how pathway places are offered.
What are the school fees at Adelaide Botanic?
The school's fees are a Materials and Services Charge, set with the School Council11Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published, and there are payment options for financial hardship11Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Applying for the pathway costs the HAST fee, which was A$1151Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published last round.
Is Adelaide Botanic a good fit for your child?
Talk these through together. Nothing is saved or sent.
Your child has a real interest in STEM and some experience to talk about. 1Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published
Extension and stretch suit your child better than racing ahead. 1Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published
Your family is happy to commit to Year 12 at Adelaide Botanic. 1Adelaide Botanic · 12 October 2026 · Published
A city campus beside gardens, museums and the zoo suits your child. 9Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published
The daily trip into the city works for your child.
Questions parents ask about Adelaide Botanic
Is Adelaide Botanic High School public or private?
Public. Its Year 7 places are allocated through the Department for Education's transition process3Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published, and the Department has its pathway listed by the Department for selective entry4SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What goes in the video?
An introduction video about your child's own interest in STEM, answering the school's prompts. The school asks for a school report, a 2 minute introduction video and the HAST1Adelaide Botanic · 15 October 2026 · Published.
Can we tour the school?
Tours give priority to in-zone families with children in the upper primary years10Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published, limited to 3 people per family10Adelaide Botanic · 13 October 2026 · Published. Register your interest on the school's site.
Is Adelaide Botanic part of IGNITE?
No. IGNITE runs at three other schools; Adelaide Botanic has its own Health and STEM pathway. 5Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published