Brisbane State High sporting and cultural selective entry are separate pathways with their own evidence, standards and long-term commitments. They are not an easier route than academic entry. Applications cost $420 per year, and your child can apply under academic, sporting and cultural categories in the same year with one form and one fee.
Applications for 2027 entry have closed. This guide explains how each pathway works so families applying for 2028 entry, whose children are in Year 5 now, can prepare evidence early.
What sporting and cultural categories does Brisbane State High offer?
Sporting selective entry covers a long list of team and individual sports for girls and boys. Cultural selective entry covers instrumental music, voice and visual art, with voice and visual art available for Year 7 entry only.
The table summarises the cultural categories and the general sporting standard, based on the school's cultural selective entry page and sporting selective entry page.
| Category | Entry years | How it is assessed | Minimum standard or evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting | Year 7, and Years 8 to 11 | Evidence of results and achievements, plus trials for some Year 7 sports | Years 8 to 11: selection or ranking at regional or state level, or a top-3 state championship placing |
| Instrumental music | Year 7, and Years 8 to 11 | Audition and evidence of playing standard | Year 7: AMEB Grade 6 violin, Grade 5 flute, Grade 4 for most other instruments |
| Voice | Year 7 only | Singing audition | AMEB Grade 2 Voice or equivalent, plus strong involvement in school choirs and performance groups |
| Visual art | Year 7 only | Folio of original work, and possibly a workshop | Assessed on drawing skills, experimentation and communicating ideas |
Which sports are eligible?
For girls, the list includes AFL, basketball, cricket, football, netball, touch football, athletics, chess, cross country, hockey, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming and tennis. For boys, it includes cricket, football, rugby, athletics, basketball, chess, cross country, swimming and tennis.
Volleyball and rowing are offered for Years 9 to 11 entry only. Chess is on both lists.
Some Year 7 sports require a trial. You register with a Trial Registration Form and a $100 fee, paid once even if your child trials for several sports. Trial dates are listed in the school's Year 7 enrolment timelines document rather than on the main page.
Successful sporting students are expected to play their entry sport for the whole of their enrolment. The school competes in the GPS Association of Queensland, the Queensland Girls' Secondary School Sporting Association and the Brisbane Schoolgirls' Rowing Association, so entry brings an ongoing team commitment, not just a trial.
Which instruments are eligible for music entry?
Only orchestral instruments, including orchestral percussion. Piano, guitar and harp are not eligible, and drum kit alone is not considered.
For Year 7, the minimum standard is AMEB Grade 6 for violin, Grade 5 for flute and Grade 4 for most other instruments. Standards rise for later entry: by Years 10 and 11, most instruments need Grade 7 or 8. The school gives priority to instruments where its program has an identified need.
Students who enter through instrumental music are expected to stay in the instrumental program for their whole enrolment, with school ensembles as their main school-based extra-curricular activity.
How do voice and visual art entry work?
Voice and visual art are for Year 7 entry only. Voice applicants audition and need AMEB Grade 2 Voice or equivalent; visual art applicants submit a folio of up to 10 original works.
Voice students who enrol must join the Vocal Ensemble program from Years 7 to 12, audition for the advanced ensembles and audition for the school musical.
Visual art folios must be no larger than A3. Photograph large, 3D or sculptural pieces, and include digital or time-based work on a USB. The physical folio must be delivered in person to H Block Reception by the closing date, and some applicants are invited to a workshop.
What documents does a Year 7 application need?
Every Year 7 applicant needs the online Selective Entry Application Form, a Student Summary for each category, school reports from the previous two semesters, the Year 5 NAPLAN report and proof of fee payment. Then add the category evidence: sporting results, music audition registration and playing evidence, or the art folio.
For sporting applicants, the school lists examples of useful evidence: official results from regional or equivalent competition, performance statistics, playing position, coach references and a representative team photo. Sporting applicants also add their Year 6 Semester 1 report once it is available.
The school states that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. Build a simple checklist for each category with the document, who provides it, the date needed and whether it has been sent.
Because the Year 5 NAPLAN report is required, it is worth understanding what it shows. Our NAPLAN reading guide explains the proficiency levels.
How do fees and payment work?
The processing fee is $420, non-refundable and non-transferable, paid once per year even if your child applies under several categories. You pay through the Qkr! app, entering your child's current year level, and attach proof of payment to the application.
A Selective Entry Equity Bursary is available for families in sustained financial hardship. It has its own closing date, so check it as soon as the next intake's timelines are published.
Can my child apply in more than one category?
Yes. One online application and one $420 fee cover academic, sporting and cultural categories in the same year, but each category needs its own supporting documents.
Applying in several categories makes sense if your child genuinely meets each standard. It does not make sense to add a category to "improve the odds" without real evidence, because each is assessed on its own requirements. A local catchment application is separate and needs its own form.
If your child is also applying through academic selective entry, our BSHS practice tests cover the academic side. They are not a sporting trial, audition or folio assessment, and they do not affect eligibility for other categories.
What about entry after Year 7?
Places in Years 8 to 11 depend on available capacity and are very limited and heavily oversubscribed. Applications stay active until Year 11, but only if you update them each year, within the opening period, with the latest reports and achievements.
The school does not consider Year 12 entry. If you miss an annual update, the application is not considered for future years.
When should you start preparing for 2028 entry?
Start now if your child is in Year 5. The evidence that matters, such as competition results, AMEB exams and art pieces, takes months to build, and the application window is short once it opens.
A practical timeline:
- Now to early 2027: keep a dated record of results, selections and coach feedback. Book the next AMEB exam if a grade is still needed. Start photographing art pieces as they are finished.
- When the 2028 timelines are published: note the application close date, trial dates, bursary deadline and folio delivery date.
- Before applying: gather Year 5 reports and the Year 5 NAPLAN report, complete each Student Summary and pay through Qkr!.
The school gives no internal review of decisions and no feedback on unsuccessful applications, so a complete, well-organised application is the only lever you control.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to apply?
$420 per year, non-refundable, covering all categories. Some Year 7 sports add a one-off $100 trial fee.
Can my child apply for academic and sporting or cultural entry in the same year?
Yes, with one form and one fee, but each category needs its own supporting documents.
Can piano or guitar players apply for music entry?
No. Only orchestral instruments are eligible, and drum kit alone is not considered.
Do students have to keep up their sport or music after entry?
Yes. Sporting students are expected to play their entry sport for their whole enrolment, and instrumental and voice students have ongoing ensemble commitments.
Practice Tests & Exams is an independent provider of academic practice material and is not affiliated with Brisbane State High School. Fees, eligibility and dates change each intake, so confirm them with the school's enrolment office (enrolmentenquiry@brisbaneshs.eq.edu.au, 07 3291 4111) before applying. Official details checked 20 October 2026.