Transferring schools

Transferring up to Year 10

Students planning to transfer to a school in another state during high school should obtain the following information from their current school:

  • copies of their reports
  • evidence of other attainments (eg. NAPLAN)
  • details of courses studied at their school.

This information should be presented to the principal of the receiving school.

Parents/guardians will need to supply the new school with current information on legal and medical matters related to the student and a current residential address.

Students transferring during Year 10 will have their attainments in all similar courses (based on the assessment details provided by the previous school) recognised by the receiving school.

Transferring in Years 11 and 12

When enrolling at the new school the parent and student may initiate the Interstate Student Data Transfer Note (ISDTN) process.

Students transferring schools during Year 11 will have their attainments recognised by the receiving school in all similar subjects based on the assessment details provided by the previous school according to the policies and guidelines of the certifying authority in the receiving state. Where there are no similar subjects, status will be granted or an amended assessment program will be provided by the new school.

At the end of Year 11 students transferring from one state to another will receive credit for studies completed. If requirements have been met in the home state, then this will be recognised in the receiving state.

Students transferring during Year 12 will receive credit for work completed, and will need to satisfy the assessment requirements of the receiving state in order to receive the senior secondary certificate of that state.

Most states have certificate completion requirements. Arrangements and agreements for recognition are negotiated on a case-by-case basis between Boards of Studies to enable students to complete requirements in the new state. A request for the school to contact the Board of Studies in the new state should be made as soon as possible to facilitate this negotiation.

Where students have completed courses or studies in one state when they transfer they will need to inquire from the state universities admissions centre or the state certifying authority as to how university entrance requirements will be met using combined results.

School transfers, types and structures by state

Select a tab below for information about the types of secondary schools a student may attend in each state or territory, how each school is structured, and also specific information about transferring.

ACT

Types of secondary schools in the Australian Capital Territory

There are secondary schools in three different sectors in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Information about government schools in the ACT can be obtained by visiting the ACT Education Directorate website.

Information about independent schools in the ACT can be obtained by visiting the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT website.

Information about Catholic schools in the ACT can be obtained by visiting the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Catholic Education Office website.

Secondary school structure in the Australian Capital Territory

Secondary school structure varies considerably in the Australian Capital Territory.

For more information see the sector websites (listed above) and individual school websites.

Students are awarded the Australian Capital Territory Senior Secondary Certificate on satisfactory completion of their senior secondary studies.

Transfer in Senior Secondary years in the ACT

Students transferring out of the Australian Capital Territory

An ACT Statement of Achievement is an up-to-date record of current studies available on request to students who are leaving college, seeking employment or moving interstate.

Transfer to a school in the Australian Capital Territory

For more information about transferring to a school see the relevant sector websites (listed above).

For more information see the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies website.

Transfer up to Year 10 in the Australian Capital Territory

Responsibility for transfer of students up to Year 10 in the ACT sits with the ACT Education Directorate.

NSW

Types of schools in New South Wales

There are over 3000 schools in three major sectors across New South Wales. They are grouped as follows:

Secondary school structure in New South Wales

There are six years of secondary education available to students in New South Wales schools. Students enter secondary education in Year 7 at an average age of twelve years and can continue to Year 12.

The Record of School Achievement (RoSA) (available to students before the award of the Higher School Certificate [HSC]), and the HSC (available to students at the end of Year 12) are the NSW credentials available to secondary students in New South Wales.

New South Wales secondary schools cater to a mix of student year combinations (for example Years 7 to 12 students, or Years 11 and 12 students only).

The list of government schools in NSW can be found on the NSW Department of Education website.

The list of registered non-government schools in NSW can be found on the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) website.

NSW students are required by legislation to either remain in school, in approved education or training or in full time paid employment until they turn 17.

Transfer to a school in New South Wales

Students should contact the principal of the NSW school they wish to transfer to. The principal of the new school will deem whether they have completed the mandatory requirements to meet eligibility for the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) or the Higher School Certificate (HSC).

NSW schools manage student transfer according the rules and procedures set out in the BOSTES Assessment Certification Examination site.

Visit the following for more information about the different school systems in NSW:

NT

Types of secondary schools in the Northern Territory

There are secondary schools in three sectors in the Northern Territory:

Secondary school structure in the Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, students between the ages of 11 to 14 years are usually in the middle years stage of learning. Stand-alone Middle Years schools exist in the Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs areas. This covers:

    • Years 7, 8 and 9.

Students between the ages of 15 and 17 years are usually in the secondary years stage of learning.

This covers Year 10 to Year 12 of high school. Students may choose to:

    • complete Year 12 and obtain their Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET)
    • complete other education and training options or work.

Young people aged 17 and older may choose to return to school to complete their NTCET, continue with formal study, participate in a community education program or start work. 

For more information, visit Stages of Schooling in the Northern Territory. 

Transfer to a school in Northern Territory 

The transfer process involves relevant information about the student being exchanged between schools. Generally, students remain enrolled at the original school until a transfer is received from their new school.

Students transferring during Years 7–10 are encouraged to obtain copies of their reports, other evidence of their attainments, and details of courses studied at their school. This information may then be presented to the principal of the receiving school.

In most cases, students transferring during Year 10 will have their attainments in all similar courses (based on the assessment details provided by the previous school) recognised by the receiving school.

NZ

Practical information for parents and carers about senior secondary school education in New Zealand is available at the New Zealand Ministry of Education website.

Parents and carers can find out about a school or check on its performance before enrolling children by visiting the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website.

QLD

Types of schools in Queensland

There are schools in three different sectors in Queensland:

Secondary school structure in Queensland

Students usually begin their secondary education in Year 7 (average age 11–12 years) and can continue until Year 12 (average age 17–18 years).

In Queensland, it is compulsory for students to stay at school until they finish Year 10 or turn 16, whichever comes first.

Then young people must be ‘learning or earning’ for another two years or until they:

Transfer to a school in Queensland

Information for students transferring to Queensland for their secondary school studies can be found on the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority website.

SA

Types of secondary schools in South Australia

There are secondary schools in three sectors in South Australia:

Secondary school structure in South Australia

In South Australia, students between the ages of 11 to 14 years are usually in the middle years stage of learning. This covers:

  • Years 6 and 7 of primary school
  • Years 8 and 9 of high school.

Students between the ages of 15 and 17 years are usually in the secondary years stage of learning.

This covers Year 10 to Year 12 of high school. Students may choose to:

  • complete Year 12 and obtain their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
  • complete other education and training options or work.

Young people aged 17 and older may choose to return to school to complete their SACE, continue with formal study, participate in a community education program or start work. 

For more information, visit the education system in South Australia. 

Transfer to a school in South Australia 

The transfer process involves relevant information about the student being exchanged between schools. Generally, students remain enrolled at the original school until a transfer is received from their new school.

Students transferring during Years 8–10 are encouraged to obtain copies of their reports, other evidence of their attainments, and details of courses studied at their school. This information may then be presented to the principal of the receiving school.

In most cases, students transferring during Year 10 will have their attainments in all similar courses (based on the assessment details provided by the previous school) recognised by the receiving school.

TAS

Types of schools in Tasmania

There are schools in three different system/sectors in Tasmania:

Secondary school structure in Tasmania

Students enter secondary education in Year 7.

Generally government secondary schools provide secondary education for students in Years 7 to 10. An increasing number of Tasmanian secondary schools provide Years 11 and 12 studies. Of the high schools, 26 are district schools or district high schools in rural areas, where the primary and high schools are located on a single campus.

Catholic and independent schools generally provide for Years 7 to 12 with some providing solely for Years 11 and 12.

From the age of 16, all young people are required to participate in a full-time eligible education or training option for at least one year (Youth Participation in Education and Training Act 2005 (Guaranteeing Futures), Section 3). NB: This requirement is currently under review.

Transfer to a school in Tasmania

In April 2007, Education Ministers agreed that state and territory policies and practices would ensure no child moving interstate would be disadvantaged in his/her progress through the school system by different state and territory school starting ages.

Students should obtain copies of school reports and other evidence of achievement, and details of study undertaken in their previous school. This information should be presented to the principal of the receiving school.

Parents/guardians will need to supply the new school with current information on legal and medical matters related to the student, and a current residential address.

See more information for school enrolment procedures on the Department of Education website.

VIC

Types of schools in Victoria

There are schools in three different sectors in Victoria. They are:

Secondary school structure in Victoria

In Victoria, education is compulsory for children aged from six to 17 years.

For more information about government schools structures contact the Department of Education and Training.

For more information about independent schools structures these are primarily represented by Independent Schools Victoria.

For more information about Catholic schools structures contact the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria

Transfer to a school in Victoria

Students may transfer into the VCE from interstate during Year 11, or up to the beginning of semester two in Year 12.

Students may transfer from overseas at any time during Year 11, or at the beginning of Year 12.

See more information on secondary students transferring to Victoria on the VCAA website.

WA

Types of schools in Western Australia

There are schools in three different system/sectors in Western Australia:

Primary school structure in Western Australia

For information about types of public primary schools in Western Australia, see the Department of Education website.

For information about types of private independent primary schools, see the Association of Independent Schools WA website.

For information about types of Catholic primary schools, see the Catholic Education WA website.

Secondary school structure in Western Australia

Western Australian secondary schools are generally for Year 7 to12. Most students turn 12 during the year they are in Year 7 and start Year 12 in the year they turn 17.

See the Department of Education page for information about types of public schools for secondary students.

Information about independent secondary schools is available through the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia or directly from the schools.

Information about types of Catholic secondary schools is available through Catholic Education Western Australia.

Transfer to a school in Western Australia

For more information about transferring to a school in Western Australia, see the Department of Education.

Information about enrolling in a school is available on the Department of Education’s website.