How to get into Sefton High School: entry, places and the selective test

Quick answer: Sefton High School is a partially selective, co-educational school in South Western Sydney. Selective entry in Year 7 is through the NSW Department of Education's Selective High School Placement Test, sat in Year 6. Families apply in Year 5, and the school has 88 selective places (44 boys, 44 girls) for 2027 entry.

Sefton High School at a glance

As a partially selective school, Sefton runs selective classes alongside local students in non-selective classes. Selective places go through the Department's placement test, while local enrolment works like any other public high school. It's a strong option for families in the Bankstown, Fairfield and Liverpool areas who want a selective class closer to home.

Local enrolment: because Sefton is partially selective, local students can also enrol in its non-selective classes through normal local enrolment. This guide covers the selective classes only.

Year 7 entry: how it works

Year 7 selective places are decided by the Department of Education, not by the school. The process is the same for every NSW selective high school.

1. Apply in Year 5. Applications are made online through the Department.
2. Choose up to three selective schools, in order of preference. Listing a school first doesn't give extra consideration, because every choice is decided on test results, but you can't decline an offer to wait for a lower choice, so put your genuine first choice first.
3. Sit the Selective High School Placement Test in Year 6, usually in May.
4. Receive an outcome in Term 3 of Year 6.

Students must live in NSW at the start of the school year and be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa. Up to 20% of places can be offered under the Department's equity placement model.

Key dates

For Year 7 entry in 2027 (current Year 6):

For Year 7 entry in 2028 (current Year 5): based on recent years, expect applications to open in early November 2026 and close in February 2027, with the test in May 2027. Check the Department's key dates when they're released.

The Selective High School Placement Test

The test is computer-based and takes about two and a half hours, across four sections:

See the NSW selective schools test explained and thinking skills question types.

What score do you need for Sefton?

There's no fixed pass mark. Places in the selective classes are offered to the highest-ranked applicants who listed the school until they're filled, so the cut-off depends on each year's applicants. Entry scores haven't been officially published since 2021.

The last published minimum entry scores for Sefton were:

Sefton's selective cut-off has typically been lower than the fully selective schools, so it's often listed as a second or third preference. These scores come from the previous test format, so treat them as a guide to how competitive the school is, not a target. For comparison, the most competitive school, James Ruse, ranged from 246 to 250 over 2019 to 2021.

If your child narrowly misses out, they may be placed on a reserve list. See selective reserve lists and results explained.

How to prepare

Year 4 and early Year 5: read widely, including poetry and non-fiction; build number fluency; introduce thinking skills questions as puzzles.

Late Year 5: sit a first full, timed practice test to find the weakest section, and start regular timed writing with specific feedback.

Year 6, February to May: focus on the weakest section, sit two or three full mock tests a few weeks apart, and keep the final fortnight light.

NSW Selective practice tests

Our NSW Selective mock tests follow the current four-section format. Every multiple-choice question has a worked explanation, results are broken down by skill, and writing is marked by a human teacher.

• NSW Selective practice tests
• Free NSW Selective sample questions

These are independent practice materials, not official test papers, and they don't predict placement outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sefton High School fully selective?

No. Sefton is partially selective: it has selective classes alongside local, non-selective classes.

How many selective places does Sefton have?

88 selective Year 7 places, with 44 for boys and 44 for girls.

Can my child go to Sefton without the selective test?

Local students can enrol through normal local enrolment, but places in the selective classes are only offered through the selective placement process.

What is the Sefton entry score?

There's no fixed score. Places go to the highest-ranked applicants who listed the school until places are filled. Under the previous test format, the minimum entry score ranged from 188 to 197 out of 300 between 2019 and 2021. Entry scores haven't been officially published since 2021.

Do you have to live near Sefton to apply?

No. Selective places aren't based on where you live. You can list up to three selective schools anywhere in NSW, as long as your child lives in NSW at the start of the school year and meets the residency requirements.

When do Sefton offers come out?

Year 7 placement outcomes are released by the Department in Term 3 of Year 6.

Can you get into Sefton after Year 7?

Sometimes, but places are very limited and depend on vacancies. Later-year entry is run by the school, so check its enrolment page for the current process.

Other NSW selective schools

Families considering Sefton often also list:

• Hurlstone Agricultural High School
• Girraween High School
• Fort Street High School
• Penrith Selective High School

See every school and its places in our guide to every NSW selective high school.

Applying for 2028 entry? Try free NSW Selective sample questions and see where your child stands.

Practice Tests & Exams is an independent provider and is not affiliated with Sefton High School or the NSW Department of Education. Information is from the Department, the school and published sources as of October 2026. Always check the school and Department websites for current details.