Guides

A plain-English guide to NAPLAN scaled scores and proficiency levels, and why one test result rarely tells the whole story.

What the Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage measures, how a value of 1000 is worked out, and its real limits.

The cut-off date for starting primary school in each Australian state and territory, and what the first year is called locally.

A neutral look at fees, sector differences, and how to compare results across public, Catholic and independent schools using ICSEA.

How NSW opportunity classes work in Years 5 and 6, how the placement test and equity places work, and where to find one.

The difference between fully and partially selective schools, agricultural high schools, Aurora College and how the Year 7 test works.

How NSW local enrolment areas work, when out-of-area applications are possible, and what proof of address you'll need.

How Find My School zoning works, the designated neighbourhood school rule, and Victoria's four selective-entry high schools.

How Queensland catchments and enrolment management plans work, and what the Queensland Academies and Brisbane State High offer.

How Western Australian local-intake areas guarantee a place, and how the GATE academic, arts and languages programs work.