Grafton High School: how selective entry works

Year 7 selective places at Grafton go to children through the NSW Selective test. ^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} The NSW Department of Education runs the application and the test for all selective schools, so Grafton doesn't run its own Year 7 selection.

On one application you can list up to 3^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} schools. Your child sits the test in Year 6^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}, and offers follow test performance and the order of your school choices^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}.

1. Apply online to the Department

   Expected November 2026–February 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}, for entry in 2028.

2. Sit the test in NSW

   Expected early May 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}. Your child is placed at a local centre; most are local public high schools^{4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

3. Get one result

   Expected August 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}, from the highest school on the list your child qualifies for. ^{5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

4. Wait on a reserve list, maybe

   Places that families decline pass down Grafton's reserve list in order. ^{5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

What does the selective stream look like at Grafton?

Grafton lists academically selective classes in Years 7 to 10^{6Grafton HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}. Within the stream, students have classes together for English, mathematics and science^{7Grafton HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

The rest of the school is a local comprehensive. The Department's term for this mix is selective classes inside a local high school^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}.

The Department gives Oliver & Mary Streets, Grafton^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}, and the school's travel page gives 97 Mary Street, Grafton NSW 2460^{9Grafton HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}. The school is in the Coffs Harbour - Grafton^{10NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published} region.

The travel page explains the free travel pass: eligible students may get free or subsidised travel to and from school^{11Transport for NSW · 13 October 2026 · Published}. Think about the daily trip, too, since the Department notes less travel could reduce harm to schoolwork and wellbeing^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Plan your commute opens Grafton High in your map app. ^{10NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published}

Only if there's a vacancy. For Years 8 to 11 at Grafton, you apply directly to the school, usually between June and July^{13Grafton HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}. ^{14NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

Vacancies depend on students leaving, and some schools have none in some years^{14NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}, so a later place is never certain.

The Department asks families to weigh interests and abilities, academic and co-curricular needs, social and emotional needs, and any specialised support^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}. Tick the lines that are true; nothing is saved.

• ✓

  Your child is keen to go. The Department calls choosing a school your child wants to go to^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} an important consideration.

• ✓

  Your child would like selective classes that run through Year 10. ^{6Grafton HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}

• ✓

  A personal device for class is manageable for your family. ^{15Grafton HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}

• ✓

  Senior mentoring matters to you. ^{6Grafton HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}

• ✓

  If your child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you've talked with the school's Aboriginal Education team. ^{16Grafton HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}

• ✓

  You've visited, or asked the school about a visit. ^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}

No. The Department sets no set minimum entry score^{5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} for Grafton or any other school. The level each year depends on how many children apply, how they perform, the places available and how many offers are declined^{5NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

HSC tables report Year 12, not Year 7 entry. For reviews, the Department's advice is to ask friends, family and your community about their experiences^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Grafton runs on the statewide Selective calendar. Exact dates for Year 7 entry in 2028: Not published^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Not published}. The months below are expected.

1. November 2026–February 2027 Expected^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}

   Apply, listing Grafton

   For a child in Year 5 in 2026.

2. early May 2027 Expected^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}

   Selective test

3. August 2027 Expected^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}

   Results

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. ^{5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

By straight line from the Department's coordinates, these are the three closest. All three are inland, to the south-west.

See every selective school.