QAHS is a free, selective state school in Southport on the Gold Coast for students in Years 10 to 12. It only takes students into Year 10, through an application, an EduTest entrance test, school reports, NAPLAN results and an interview for shortlisted students. For Year 10 in 2028, applications have been listed as closing on 26 February 2027, with the entrance test on 13 March 2027.
QAHS runs earlier than the other two Queensland Academies, so families who plan around QASMT or QACI dates can miss it.
What is QAHS?
The Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus (QAHS) is one of the three Queensland Academies, alongside QASMT in Toowong and QACI at Kelvin Grove. It sits beside Griffith University's Gold Coast campus and health precinct, and opened in 2008.
The 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 QAHS suits
QAHS is built for students heading towards medicine, biomedical science, research or allied health. The health focus shows up in electives, partnerships and research opportunities, but every student still takes the full IB Diploma: English, maths, sciences, a language, Theory of Knowledge and the extended essay.
QAHS is a good fit if your child:
- is in the top band at school in science, maths and English
- has a genuine, specific interest in health or the life sciences
- can manage daily travel to Southport for three years
- is ready for an essay-heavy, internationally assessed curriculum
If your child's interest is broader STEM, such as engineering, coding or physics, QASMT may fit better. You can only lodge one Queensland Academies application per year. Our Queensland Academies entry guide compares all three campuses.
Timeline for Year 10 in 2028
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications close | 26 February 2027 |
| Entrance Test | 13 March 2027, at QAHS |
| Interview (shortlisted only) | Saturday 17 April 2027 |
| Notice of outcome | Term 2, 2027 |
That means a student in Year 8 in 2026 applies early in Year 9. If you want Year 10 in 2028, the work starts over the 2026 to 2027 summer holidays.
These dates have been published on the Queensland Academies Year 10 enrolments page. Confirm them on the official page before you apply, as they can change.
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
- 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 you apply.
The on-time Year 10 fee is $270; late applications cost $300. Both are non-refundable.
The entrance test
The test is run by EduTest and lasts about three hours. It covers ability and achievement:
- Verbal reasoning: analogies, word relationships, classification and deduction
- Numerical reasoning: number series, matrices and logic problems
- Reading comprehension: a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry
- Mathematics: junior secondary level, no calculator
Each multiple-choice section runs about 30 minutes. QAHS applicants are often strong at maths but less practised at verbal reasoning and poetry, so those are worth extra time. Our guides to verbal reasoning and poetry in reading tests are good places to start.
The Academies don't publish a cut-off score or release individual results.
The interview
Shortlisted students are interviewed on campus. Across the Queensland Academies, Year 10 interviewees bring:
- A sample of academic work from an area they care about. It should show excellence and original thinking, and include extended writing, such as a science research report or investigation.
- A one-page statement of academic journey (A4, Arial 10) describing highlights and challenges.
For QAHS, a science investigation with a proper written method, results and discussion is ideal. Interviewers will want to hear why your child is interested in health, so a specific, honest answer beats "I want to be a doctor".
Read our Queensland Academies interview guide for likely questions and how to prepare.
How to prepare: a 4-month plan
QAHS's early test date makes a summer start important.
November to December: sit a timed diagnostic test. Learn the verbal and numerical reasoning question types.
January: one timed section most days and a full test each week. Start choosing the work sample.
February: two or three full tests in exam conditions. Lodge the application before the closing date.
March to April: after the test, draft the one-page statement and practise interview answers out loud.
Throughout: keep Year 8 and Year 9 reports strong, because they 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 QAHS take Year 7 students? No. QAHS takes students into Year 10 only.
Does my child need to want to be a doctor? No. QAHS suits any student with a real interest in health or the life sciences, including research, biomedical science and allied health.
Is QAHS free? Yes, for domestic students. It is a state government school.
Can my child apply to QAHS and QASMT in the same year? No. Only one Queensland Academies application is allowed per year.
Sources: Queensland Academies Year 10 enrolments and admissions policies; Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus, Year 10 enrolments (qaci.eq.edu.au), reviewed 28 August 2026. Confirm QAHS dates and fees on the official page before applying.