Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School: how entry works
Independent. Not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education.
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth is a fully selective agricultural school, taking boys only for entry in 2027. It has 501NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Year 7 day places through the Selective test and 601NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published boarding places through the school.
Farrer's day places come from the Selective test; boarding places don't need it. A free section needs no account.
How does entry to Farrer work?
Farrer has two doors in, and they work differently. A Year 7 day place comes through the Selective test, like every selective school. For a boarding place, apply to the school1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
For a day place, your child sits the test in Year 61NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and you list Farrer among up to 32NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published schools. Offers go by test performance and the order of your school choices2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Decide day or boarding
A boarder at Farrer or Hurlstone can't move to a day place automatically1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, so choose with care.
Boarding place: apply to Farrer
No Selective test needed for a boarding place at Farrer or Yanco1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Day and boarding need separate applications. 4Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published For entry in 2028, first-round applications close 5 March 20274Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
What makes Farrer an agricultural school?
At Farrer, agriculture is compulsory in Years 7 to 101NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. It is one of the 41NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published fully selective agricultural high schools in NSW, and for entry in 2027 the only one of the four for boys alone.
The other three take girls and boys. If your child wants farm learning in a boys' school, Farrer is the one to look at. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
Why does boarding work differently here?
Families far from Tamworth may need a boarding place, and those go through the school. Across NSW, isolated students get extra consideration for boarding places. 1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published Boys local to Tamworth are considered for boarding only if places remain after the first round of offers4Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
Boarding applicants sit an academic assessment, and those selected may be invited to an interview at Farrer4Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
Farrer asks for Year 5 NAPLAN results, the two latest school reports, any other academic achievements or awards, a recent school photo and proof of address4Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
How many places are there, and for whom?
For entry in 2027, Farrer takes boys only, as day students and as boarders. The Department lists these Year 7 places.
| Year 7, entry in 2027 | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Day places, through the Selective test | 501NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | None1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Boarding places, by direct application | 601NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | None1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Farrer has more boarding places than day places, so most of its Year 7 boys arrive as boarders.
Farrer is set to change. After consultation, a decision has been made to introduce places for girls at Farrer in future years5School Infrastructure NSW · 14 October 2026 · Published. No changes are planned for 2026 and 2027, and boys’ places will not be reduced when girls enrol5School Infrastructure NSW · 14 October 2026 · Published.
The timeframe for the change will be confirmed and shared with the community after detailed planning5School Infrastructure NSW · 14 October 2026 · Published, so check again before you apply for entry in 2028.
Where is Farrer, and how do families get there?
Farrer is at 585 Calala Lane, Tamworth1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in the New England and North West7NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published region.
The Department notes less travel could reduce harm to schoolwork and wellbeing2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Eligible students can get free or subsidised travel to and from school8Transport for NSW · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Plan your commute opens the school in your own map app. 7NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published
Who can apply for Farrer?
For entry in 2027, boys anywhere in NSW can apply. For a day place there's no catchment: you can apply to any selective school, in or out of your area1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Your family must be living in NSW by the start of the entry year3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and conditions may apply to non-citizens3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. For a boarding place, check eligibility with the school.
Can my child join Farrer after Year 7?
Possibly, if a place comes up. Farrer runs its own Years 8 to 11 process. 9NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Vacancies depend on students leaving, and some schools have none in some years9NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published, so ask the school directly.
| Years 8 to 11 entry | What is known for Farrer |
|---|---|
| Entry in 2027 | Applications opened 17 June 20269NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published and closed 24 July 20269NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Which form | the school's own online form or the Department's general form9NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| How children are assessed | The Department says some schools test, others review reports9NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Boarding in later years | Apply to the school1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published 1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Entry in 2028 | Not published9NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published |
Where should Farrer go in your list of choices?
For a day place, list only schools you would genuinely like your child to attend2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, in your real order, up to 32NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published. First place adds no weight. 2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published Read how to order your choices.
Many Tamworth families compare Farrer with Peel High in the same town. Here is Farrer as choice 1 and Peel as choice 2.
| With Farrer as choice 1 and Peel as choice 2, if your son… | The outcome |
|---|---|
| Qualifies for Farrer | A Farrer day offer. Choice 2 shows "not applicable". 10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Qualifies for Peel, not Farrer | A Peel offer, and possibly a place on the Farrer reserve list. 10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Qualifies for neither | No offer. 10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Turning down a Peel offer to wait for Farrer carries no certainty of a later reserve offer2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Is Farrer a good fit for your child?
The Department asks you to weigh your child's interests and abilities, academic and co-curricular needs, social and emotional needs, and any specialised support2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Tick what's true; nothing is saved or sent.
Your son wants to go. The Department calls choosing a school your child wants to go to2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published an important consideration.
A boys' school suits him, knowing girls' places are planned for future years. 5School Infrastructure NSW · 14 October 2026 · Published
He's keen on farm work, which is compulsory in the junior years. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
You've chosen day or boarding, knowing a boarder can't switch automatically. 1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published
For a day place, the trip to Calala Lane works at school times.
You've visited, or called the school. 2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published
What does Farrer say about itself?
Farrer's own site sets out its enrolment steps, boarding and fees. We link to it, and we're not part of the school.
- Year 7 enrolment: day and boarding applications
- Boarding fees: the current year's fees and bond
To help you decide, Farrer offers a Year 5 Student Experience Day in September11Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published and an Open Day in February each year, for students of any year and their families11Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
Call the school office on (02) 6764 860012Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
Is there a minimum score or ranking for Farrer?
No. There is no set minimum entry score10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published for a Farrer day place. The level each year depends on how many children apply, how they perform, the places available and how many offers are declined10NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
| What parents look for | What is known |
|---|---|
| A minimum score for a Farrer day place | No set minimum entry score10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| How fast its reserve list moves | Not published10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published |
| A ranking of schools | Not published1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published |
Boarding places sit outside the test, so a test score doesn't decide them. 1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published
What does Farrer cost?
Selective schools charge no attendance fees, except boarding1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, so Farrer's day places carry none and its boarders pay boarding fees.
In 2026 Farrer's boarding fee is $3,578 a term over four terms in Years 7 to 11 ($14,312 a year)13Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published. Fees are set by the NSW Department of Education and usually announced at the end of each year for the following year13Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published. New boarders also pay a security bond of A$100013Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
For help with costs, Farrer lists Boarding Scholarships for Isolated Students, for eligible students from low-income, geographically isolated families14Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
School contributions are at the discretion of parents and carers15NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. In 2026 the Department caps them at a secondary school at A$11015NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. Schools must help with part or all of these costs in financial hardship15NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published.
When are the next dates for Farrer?
Day places run on the statewide timetable. Exact dates for Year 7 entry in 2028: Not published3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published. The months below are expected.
November 2026–February 2027 Expected3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
Apply for a day place, with Farrer on your list
early May 2027 Expected3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
The Selective test
August 2027 Expected3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected
Day-place outcomes
Boarding has its own timing. For entry in 2028, Farrer's boarding interviews begin in December 20264Farrer · 14 October 2026 · Published.
If this school is a higher choice than an offer you've accepted, you can stay on its reserve list after 3 December 2026, 3 pm (Sydney time)3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published only by declining that accepted offer by then. 10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
How can my child prepare for Farrer?
For a day place, prepare for the Selective test, which is the same for every school. The Department says coaching is not necessary16NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and that too much coaching can harm wellbeing16NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Our free practice test shows the 416NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published sections at real timing: one full practice test with results, with a free account17SelectiveReady · 12 October 2026 · Published. It can't tell you whether your son will be offered a Farrer place, and a boarding application doesn't need it.
Which selective schools are near Farrer?
These three are the nearest, by straight line from the Department's coordinates.
| School | What it is | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Peel 7NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published | Partially selective1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | Gunnedah Road, Tamworth1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Armidale Secondary College 7NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published | Partially selective1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | Crest Road, Armidale1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Merewether 7NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published | Fully selective1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published | Chatham Street, Broadmeadow1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published |
The other boarding agricultural schools are Yanco and Hurlstone. Search every school by suburb.
Questions parents ask about Farrer
Is Farrer only for boys?
For entry in 2027, yes. It has day and boarding places, boys only1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and no places for girls. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
Girls' places are planned for future years. 5School Infrastructure NSW · 14 October 2026 · Published
Does my son need the Selective test for a boarding place?
No. No Selective test needed for a boarding place at Farrer or Yanco1NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. You apply to the school instead. 1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
How hard is it to win a day place at Farrer?
Nobody can give you a number: there is no set minimum entry score10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published, and the level changes yearly. Across NSW, about a quarter10NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published of children who sit the test gain a place somewhere.