Merewether High School: how selective entry works

By the NSW Selective test and the order of your school choices. Merewether is fully selective, so every student is placed through the selective process^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}. ^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

The school points Year 7 families to the Department, which runs the whole process. You apply online in the year your child is in Year 5, and your child sits the test in Year 6^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}. Places go by test performance and the order of your school choices^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}.

1. Register and apply

   Expected November 2026–February 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected} for entry in 2028. List Merewether among up to 3^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} schools.

2. Sit the test in NSW

   Expected early May 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}, at a test centre the Department assigns. ^{4NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}

3. Read the outcome

   Expected August 2027^{3NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Expected}, in your dashboard. ^{5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

4. Watch the reserve list

   If a family declines a Merewether place, the next child on its reserve list may get it. ^{5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

Despite the name, the school is on Chatham Street, Broadmeadow^{1NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}, in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie^{8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published} region. It describes its site as central Broadmeadow, reached by public transport, walking or driving^{9Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

The school's travel page points families to interactive bus maps and Transport NSW for routes. The Department adds that less travel could reduce harm to schoolwork and wellbeing^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}, which matters more when a selective school draws from a wide area.

Open the school in your map app and try the trip at school times. ^{8NSW Education data · 13 October 2026 · Published}

Yes, through the school's own process, and it works differently from most selective schools. For Years 8 to 11 there is no placement test^{11Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}. ^{12NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

Applications go to a panel of the Principal and Deputy Principals, which meets in Term 3 each year^{11Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}. Waiting lists are current until the end of Term 1 the following year; you apply again each year^{11Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Department dates for entry in 2028: Not published^{12NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Not published}. Merewether's round opens in mid-June 2027^{11Merewether HS · 14 October 2026 · Published}, with the form on its Enrol page.

What does "no test" mean for your child?

The panel reads only what you send. Gather a covering letter, the last two years of school reports, recent NAPLAN results and academic awards^{11Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published} before the window opens. Add a copy of your child's birth certificate, citizenship or passport, and any extra forms the school asks for^{12NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

A place usually comes up only when a student leaves. ^{12NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published} If you miss out, you need a new application when applications open^{12NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

Weigh your child's interests and abilities, academic and co-curricular needs, social and emotional needs, and any specialised support^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}, as the Department suggests. Tick what's true; nothing is saved.

• ✓

  Your child is happy to learn Japanese, compulsory in Year 8^{13Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

• ✓

  Your child enjoys creative subjects: Merewether teaches 100 hours each of music and visual arts in Years 7 and 8^{14Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

• ✓

  A co-ed school planned for 1,080 students, 180 in each year from Year 7 to Year 12^{6Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published} suits your child.

• ✓

  The trip to Broadmeadow works both ways, every school day.

• ✓

  You've been to the information session for Year 5 families. ^{11Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}

• ✓

  Your child wants to go there. ^{2NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published}

No. The Department sets no set minimum entry score^{5NSW Education · 12 October 2026 · Published} for Merewether or any other selective school. The result needed shifts every year with how many children apply, how they perform, the places available and how many offers are declined^{5NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

HSC league tables cover Year 12 students who entered years earlier. They don't show what a Year 7 applicant needs. For a feel of daily life, the Department suggests you ask friends, family and your community about their experiences^{2NSW Education · 13 October 2026 · Published}.

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 Merewether

   For a child in Year 5 in 2026.

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

   The Selective test

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

   Outcomes

Before you apply, Merewether runs an information session and tour for families of Year 5 students, in October each year^{11Merewether HS · 13 October 2026 · Published}. Watch its Facebook page and your primary school's notices.

These are the three nearest, by straight line from the Department's coordinates. All three are well to the south, so check the daily trip carefully before you list one.

Search all schools by suburb.