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:
- Government schools, administered by the NSW Department of Education
- Catholic systemic schools, represented by the Catholic Education Commission NSW
- Independent schools, primarily represented by the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.
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:
- For government schools, visit the NSW Department of Education website
- For Catholic schools, visit the Catholic Education Commission NSW website
- For independent schools, visit the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.
