A gifted and talented program gives high-ability students work at a faster pace or greater depth than a regular class, usually alongside students like them. In Australia, programs are run by each state, and they look very different from one state to the next. Some are full-time selective classes, some are part-time withdrawal programs, and some are online courses.
This guide covers the government programs in each state, the age they start, how students are chosen and what test is involved.
Quick comparison
| State | Primary programs | Secondary programs | Main entry test |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Opportunity classes (Years 5 and 6) | Selective high schools (from Year 7) | OC test (Year 4), selective test (Year 6) |
| VIC | VHAP online courses (Years 5 and 6) | SEAL (from Year 7), selective entry high schools (from Year 9), John Monash (from Year 10) | School tests (SEAL), ACER exam (Year 8), EduTest (JMSS) |
| QLD | School-based extension | Queensland Academies, Brisbane State High, state school excellence programs | Each school's own test |
| WA | PEAC (Years 5 and 6) | GATE programs, including Perth Modern | PEAC testing (Year 4), ASET (Year 6) |
| SA | School-based extension | IGNITE (from Year 7) | ACER HAST |
Every state also expects all government schools to cater for gifted students in ordinary classrooms. The programs below are extra options on top.
NSW
Opportunity classes (OC), Years 5 and 6. Full-time classes for high-potential and gifted students, hosted in 89 public primary schools across NSW, with 1,840 Year 5 places. Students sit the OC placement test in Year 4. See our OC schools list and the OC test explained.
Selective high schools, from Year 7. 17 fully selective, 27 partially selective and 4 agricultural high schools, plus Aurora College online classes, with 4,338 Year 7 places. Students sit the selective placement test in Year 6. See every NSW selective school and the selective schools test explained.
Inspire: gifted education in every public school. In 2026, the NSW Government announced that every public school now offers high potential and gifted education (HPGE) under the Inspire banner, with each school's offerings published on its website. The NSW policy recognises potential in four areas: intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical. Some high schools run named programs, such as accelerated Year 7 classes. Ask your local school what it offers.
Key dates for 2028 entry: applications open 5 November 2026 and close 15 February 2027. The OC test is on 11 and 12 May 2027, and the selective test is on 13 and 14 May 2027.
Victoria
Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP), Years 5 to 8. A 10-week online course in English or maths, run by Virtual School Victoria. Students in government schools are selected by the Department using NAPLAN results and teacher judgement, and schools can also nominate students. There's no test to sit. Students can take each course once.
Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES). Funded enrichment activities for high-ability students from Prep to Year 12, run by outside organisations.
SEAL programs, from Year 7. Select Entry Accelerated Learning classes in about 40 government secondary schools, where students usually cover Years 7 to 10 in three years. Entry is by a school-run test in Year 6, usually EduTest. See our SEAL program guide and SEAL test guide.
Selective entry high schools, from Year 9. Melbourne High, Mac.Robertson Girls', Nossal and Suzanne Cory, with about 1,000 Year 9 places. Students sit the ACER exam in June of Year 8. See selective schools in Melbourne.
John Monash Science School, from Year 10. A specialist science school with 200 Year 10 places, entered by an EduTest assessment in Year 9.
Queensland
Queensland has no statewide primary gifted program. Options are mainly at secondary level:
- Queensland Academies: the Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology (QASMT), Creative Industries (QACI) and Health Sciences (QAHS). See our Queensland Academies guide and QASMT entrance test format.
- Brisbane State High School: Academic Selective Entry using ACER's HAST, with Year 5 and Year 6 entry pathways. See our Brisbane State High entry guide.
- State high school excellence programs: many schools run their own selective classes, such as Kelvin Grove State College Academic Achievers, Albany Creek Catalyst and Benowa Academic Excellence. Each sets its own test, often HAST.
Compare QASMT vs Brisbane State High.
Western Australia
Primary Extension and Challenge (PEAC), Years 5 and 6. A part-time withdrawal program: selected students leave their class for extension courses. Every Year 4 student in a WA public school is tested, at their own school, unless parents opt out in writing. Selection is made at district level, and only the top few per cent are invited.
Early Years Extension (EYE), Years 1 to 3. A short extension program for younger children identified through on-entry assessment or teacher nomination.
GATE secondary programs, from Year 7. Gifted and Talented programs at selected public high schools, including Perth Modern School, the only fully selective school. Students sit the ASET in Year 6. For 2028 entry, the ASET is on 6 March 2027. See our ASET test guide, GATE program WA and Perth Modern entry guide.
South Australia
IGNITE, Years 7 to 10. The Department for Education's full-time gifted program at three special interest public high schools: Glenunga International High School, The Heights School and Aberfoyle Park High School. Entry is by ACER's HAST, and you can apply to only one of the three schools per round. Selected students are guaranteed entry regardless of zoning (The Heights limits out-of-zone entry to 40 places).
Brighton Secondary School also runs a gifted program, Think Bright.
See our HAST exam format guide and HAST sample questions.
Independent schools
Many independent schools run their own gifted programs, extension classes or academic scholarships. Testing is usually through:
- ACER scholarship tests
- EduTest
- AAS, whose GSAM test some schools use specifically to identify gifted students
Is my child gifted?
You don't need a formal diagnosis to apply for any of these programs. Selection is based on each program's own test or data. Signs teachers often look for include:
- learning new ideas quickly and needing little repetition
- reading well above their year level
- asking deep or unusual questions
- strong reasoning, such as spotting patterns or arguing a point well
- intense curiosity about particular topics
Some families also arrange an assessment with an educational psychologist, but it isn't required for OC, selective, SEAL, GATE or IGNITE entry.
Should my child do a gifted program?
A program suits children who are bored by work that's too easy, enjoy being challenged, and do well with other high-ability students. Think carefully if a program means a long commute, a big change of friends, or pressure your child finds stressful. Many gifted students thrive in a good local school with strong extension.
Preparing for gifted program tests
Most entry tests reward reasoning, reading and timed writing, which aren't taught directly at school. Short, regular practice helps children get used to the question types.
- OC practice tests and NSW Selective practice tests
- EduTest practice tests for SEAL and scholarships
- HAST practice tests for BSHS, IGNITE and Queensland programs
- Skill guides: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and abstract reasoning
- Try a free sample test
Frequently asked questions
What is a gifted and talented program? A program that gives high-ability students more challenging work, faster pacing or deeper study than a regular class, usually with other high-ability students.
At what age do gifted programs start? It depends on the state. NSW opportunity classes start in Year 5. WA's PEAC starts in Year 5, with testing in Year 4. Victoria's VHAP starts in Year 5. Most secondary programs start in Year 7, but Victoria's selective schools start in Year 9.
Do you have to pay for government gifted programs? No. Government programs are free, although test fees apply for some, such as the HAST and EduTest.
Does my child need an IQ test? No. Government programs use their own tests or school data. A private assessment isn't required.
Sources: NSW Department of Education (selective high schools and opportunity classes, Inspire HPGE announcement 2026); Victorian Department of Education (Student Excellence Program, VHAP selection guidance); WA Department of Education (PEAC, ASET); SA Department for Education (special interest schools list) and IGNITE school brochures; school websites (checked 1 November 2026). Practice Tests & Exams is not affiliated with any education department or school.