QACI is a free, selective state school at Kelvin Grove in Brisbane for students in Years 10 to 12. It takes students into Year 10 only, through an application, an EduTest entrance test, school reports, NAPLAN results and an interview for shortlisted students. For Year 10 in 2028, on-time applications close at 4pm on Friday 4 June 2027.
This guide covers who QACI suits, the 2028 timeline, the test and interview, and how to prepare.
What is QACI?
The Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus (QACI) is one of the three Queensland Academies, alongside QASMT in Toowong and QAHS on the Gold Coast. It sits in the Kelvin Grove Urban Village next to QUT's creative industries precinct, in a seven-storey vertical school.
The only senior curriculum is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Year 10 is a pre-IB year, followed by the two-year Diploma in Years 11 and 12.
Who QACI suits
QACI is for students who are academically strong and serious about a creative field such as visual arts, music, dance, theatre, film or design. It is not an arts school that lowers the academic bar. Every student takes the full IB Diploma, including English, maths, a science, a language, Theory of Knowledge and the extended essay.
QACI is a good fit if your child:
- performs in the top band at school across English and maths, not just in the arts
- spends real time on a creative pursuit outside class
- wants to combine creative work with rigorous academic study
- can cope with an internationally assessed, essay-heavy curriculum
If your child's strengths are mainly in science and maths, QASMT may be the better application. You can only lodge one Queensland Academies application per year, so choose carefully. Our Queensland Academies entry guide compares all three campuses.
Timeline for Year 10 in 2028
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Open day | Saturday 22 May 2027, 10am to 2pm |
| On-time applications close | 4pm, Friday 4 June 2027 |
| Entrance Test | At QACI, on the scheduled date (check the official page) |
| Interview | Shortlisted candidates only |
| Notice of outcome | Late Term 3, 2027 |
The standard application is designed for students in Year 8 Semester 2 or Year 9 Semester 1. Late applications for Year 10 in 2027 are still open. Late applicants sit the next available test and are considered only if a place becomes vacant.
Dates are taken from the official QACI Year 10 enrolments page. Confirm them before you apply, as they change each cycle.
What you need to apply
The online application, made through the Queensland Academies Portal, asks for:
- a recent photo of your child
- evidence of identity and citizenship (birth certificate, passport and any visa)
- your child's two most recent semester school reports
- NAPLAN results for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 (Year 9 is requested once available)
- evidence of giftedness, only if you already have a formal report
If your child needs adjustments in the test, contact Queensland Academies Admissions on (07) 3377 9366 before lodging the application.
The on-time fee is $270; a late application is $300. Both are non-refundable.
The entrance test
The test is run by EduTest at QACI and takes about three hours. It covers:
- Verbal reasoning: analogies, word relationships, classification, deduction
- Numerical reasoning: number series, matrices, word-based logic
- Reading comprehension: fiction, non-fiction and poetry
- Mathematics: at junior secondary level, without a calculator
The multiple-choice sections run about 30 minutes each. Questions are designed for highly capable students, so expect material above your child's year level.
Creative students often do well in reading and poorly in numerical reasoning, simply because they've never seen the question types. A few weeks of targeted practice on number series and matrices and coding problems can lift that score noticeably.
The Academies don't release individual scores or a cut-off.
The interview
Shortlisted students are invited to an interview at QACI. They must bring two things:
- A sample of academic work. It should come from an area your child cares about and show academic excellence and original thinking. It must include an extended piece of writing or journaling, such as a research assignment or a creative piece with written analysis. A folder of certificates is not what's wanted.
- A statement of academic journey. One A4 page, Arial 10, describing your child's academic highlights and challenges.
For a creative applicant, the strongest work sample is usually a creative piece paired with thoughtful written analysis of the choices made. That shows both sides of what QACI looks for.
Our Queensland Academies interview guide covers likely questions and how to prepare the work sample and statement.
How to prepare: a 6-month plan
Months 6 to 4: sit a timed diagnostic test. Learn the verbal and numerical reasoning question types. Read widely, including poetry and non-fiction.
Months 3 to 2: practise one timed section most days and one full test every fortnight. Review every wrong answer.
Last month: two or three full practice tests in test conditions. Choose the work sample, draft the one-page statement, and practise talking about both out loud.
Throughout: keep school reports strong. Year 8 and Year 9 results are part of the decision.
Our EduTest Year 9 to 10 practice tests are built for Year 10 entry: full timed papers at junior secondary level, with worked explanations and human-marked writing.
Frequently asked questions
Does QACI take Year 7 students? No. QACI takes students into Year 10 only. Year 7 entry to the Queensland Academies is only at QASMT.
Does my child need an art portfolio? Not for the application. Shortlisted students bring one sample of academic work to the interview, which can be a creative piece with written analysis.
Is QACI free? Yes, for domestic students. It is a state government school.
Can my child apply to QACI and QASMT in the same year? No. Only one Queensland Academies application is allowed per year.
Source: Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus, Year 10 enrolments (qaci.eq.edu.au), reviewed 28 August 2026. Confirm dates and fees on the official page before applying.