NSW has 89 opportunity classes for Year 5 entry, with 1,840 places in total. They run in ordinary public primary schools across Sydney and regional NSW, plus Aurora College's online classes for rural and remote students. Below is every OC school for 2027 entry, grouped by region, with its number of Year 5 places.
You can list up to four OC schools in order of preference, and you can choose schools outside your local area. Applications for 2028 entry open on 5 November 2026 and close on 15 February 2027. The OC test is on 11 and 12 May 2027.
How to read this list
- 15 places: the school runs one composite Year 5 and 6 opportunity class of about 30 students. Fifteen join each year.
- 30 places: the school runs two classes, either one class per year group or two composite classes.
- 60 places: only Hurstville Public School takes 60.
- From 2027 entry, every opportunity class has an equal number of places for girls and boys.
- Up to 20% of places are held under the department's Equity Placement Model for under-represented groups.
Sydney: Inner City and Eastern Suburbs
Sydney: Inner West
Sydney: North Shore
Sydney: Northern Beaches
Sydney: Ryde, Hills and North West
Sydney: Parramatta, Blacktown and Penrith
Sydney: South West (Bankstown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Macarthur)
Sydney: St George and Sutherland
Blue Mountains
Central Coast
Newcastle and Hunter
Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands
North Coast and Mid North Coast
New England and North West
Central West and Orana
Southern and Riverina
Rural and remote (online)
Aurora College is for students living in rural and remote areas who attend, or will attend, an authorised Aurora host school. Students stay at their local school and join the opportunity class online.
How to choose your four preferences
- Start with travel. Most OC students change schools, so think about the daily trip. A shorter journey for two years often matters more than the school's reputation.
- Only list schools you'd accept. If you get an offer from a higher choice, you won't be offered a lower one, even if you decline.
- Order by what you actually want. Putting a school first gives your child no extra chance. Every choice is decided on test results alone.
- Think about the class size. A 15-place school means a composite Year 5 and 6 class. A 30-place school may have single-year classes.
- Visit if you can. OC schools are ordinary primary schools, so ask about the OC teacher's experience, extension activities and how OC students mix with the rest of the school.
You can change your school choices after you apply, until the cut-off date (25 June 2027 for 2028 entry).
Getting a place
Places are offered on the OC placement test results only: reading, mathematical reasoning and thinking skills. There's no published cut-off for any school. Read the OC test explained, try our OC test sample questions, and see OC test results for how offers and reserve lists work.
Our OC practice tests include 24 full timed tests with worked explanations.
For selective high schools, see every NSW selective school.
Frequently asked questions
How many OC schools are there in NSW? 89 opportunity classes, including Aurora College's online classes, with 1,840 Year 5 places for 2027 entry.
Which OC school has the most places? Hurstville Public School, with 60 Year 5 places.
Can I apply to an OC school outside my area? Yes. You can choose up to four OC schools anywhere in NSW. Think carefully about the daily travel.
Do OC students have to change schools? In most cases, yes. Students who accept an OC place usually move to the school with the opportunity class for Years 5 and 6. Aurora College students stay at their local host school.
Is there an OC class at every public school? No. Only the schools on this list have opportunity classes. Every NSW public school now runs its own high potential and gifted education program, though. See gifted and talented programs.
Sources: NSW Department of Education, opportunity class school list and places for 2027 entry (checked 21 October 2026) and application process key dates for 2028 entry (page updated 27 October 2026). Regions are our own grouping for easier reading. Practice Tests & Exams is not affiliated with the NSW Department of Education. Places can change each year, so check the official list before you apply.
