Programs and opportunities
Our programs are available at select schools across the state and online. There is residential support for country students.
Gifted and Talented
Gifted and Talented Secondary Selective Entrance programs extend and enrich learning and let creative talents flourish. Register your interest now for the 2027 intake.
Register your interestGifted and Talented
Discover a world of opportunities in our Gifted and Talented programs.
Gifted and Talented Secondary Selective Entrance programs provide the opportunity for exceptionally able students to study in learning environments that challenge, inspire and empower them to excel every day.
Students in Gifted and Talented programs learn with like-minded peers, following an enriched curriculum designed for their needs, delivered by teachers with expert skills and knowledge. Access is provided to universities, industry bodies and mentoring programs with opportunities to take part in national and international competitions.
The selection process starts when students are in Year 5, testing in Year 6, with placement starting from Year 7. Limited vacancies may also be available for entry into Years 9, 10 and 11.
Program locations
These Gifted and Talented academic, arts and languages programs are available at 24 select public secondary schools including:
- new academic programs at Albany Senior High School and Alkimos College
- a selective academic school
- a selective arts college
- 2 regional schools
- an online academic program for country students.
Important dates
Gifted and Talented grid
Learn more
Applications, testing and results
The process of application, identification and results occurs over a period of several months.
Key dates and applicant guidelines
Key dates, applicant guidelines and information to support you through the application, testing and placement processes.
Arts testing
Find important information and required documentation for your child’s Arts Selective Entrance Testing.
Gifted and talented map embed
You may be interested in
Back Overseas and interstate applicants and applicants on a visa
MELANIE JOHNSTONE
Modified 5 Months ago.
Find out about the application process to enrol in a Gifted and Talented program for overseas and interstate applicants and applicants on a visa.
- Who can apply
- Lodge an application and qualify for testing
- Testing process outside of WA
- Accept an offer of placement as an overseas or interstate applicant
- Enrol at the school
+Who can apply
Who can apply
Participation in Gifted and Talented programs is limited to children whose usual place of residence is Western Australia (WA) and who are either:
- Australian citizens
- permanent residents
- holders of a visa with the equivalent local school enrolment entitlement.
If you are living overseas or interstate at the time of application, you should only consider applying for your child if you expect to meet these criteria in time for school enrolment.
Visas
If you or your child are on a visa and you are already living in WA, you should only consider applying if:
- the visa qualifies you for local enrolment entitlement
- you expect to hold a qualifying visa in time for school enrolment.
The enrolment entitlement for children who are not Australian citizens depends on their visa subclass. If you are unsure of your enrolment entitlement, you can get advice from TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA)1. Do this before applying for the Gifted and Talented program.
Secondary exchange students and children on an independent 500S student visa are ineligible for participation in Gifted and Talented programs.
+Lodge an application and qualify for testing
Lodge an application and qualify for testing
Interstate applicants
When you submit your child’s online application, attach their most recent school report showing their enrolment in a school outside Western Australia (WA). This report must be in a year level equivalent to the current testing intake (for example, Year 5 in 2024 for entry into Year 7 in 2026).
If we can't confirm your child's interstate school enrolment, we will use their date of birth or offer local testing in WA only.
Overseas applicants
When you submit your child’s online application, attach their most recent school report showing their enrolment in a school outside WA. If we can't confirm your child's overseas school enrolment, we will use their date of birth or offer local testing in WA only.
Our schools primarily consider date of birth when placing students in year levels. If your child's date of birth is outside the standard date-of-birth range for an intake year, we may consider the application only in extenuating circumstances and if supporting evidence is provided.
To find the date-of-birth range for WA school intake, refer to the applicant guidelines2.
+Testing process outside of WA
Testing process outside of WA
When an overseas or interstate applicant has been approved for testing, the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) will contact you to make the arrangements.
You will seek the services of an appropriate third-party invigilator to administer the testing of your child at their current overseas or interstate school.
An invigilator:
- must have a relevant qualification
- cannot be affiliated with your child or your family
- may be required to show evidence of employment that is not part of tutoring companies or any other service that could be a conflict of interest.
Invigilators must sign a confidentiality agreement and agree to the terms and conditions.
You must cover all costs associated with testing from your nominated invigilator and ACER. The ACER charges are for:
- a secure courier
- handling
- secure storage.
You will need to make the payment to ACER in full before any materials can be sent. If payment is not made before the deadline ACER will communicate to applicants approved to test, testing will not occur and your child’s application may be cancelled.
ACER charges for the 2025 testing are as follows:
- overseas applicants – AUD $210
- interstate applicants – AUD $155.
Your child might be able to complete the test at ACER offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Adelaide. ACER will let you know if this option is available.
We can't postpone or delay the overseas and interstate testing schedule if you are unable to meet the required costs.
+Accept an offer of placement as an overseas or interstate applicant
Accept an offer of placement as an overseas or interstate applicant
If you are living overseas or interstate and you want to accept an offer of placement, we will ask you to give us evidence of your intention to return or relocate to Western Australian (WA) for the duration of your child’s secondary schooling.
As part of the placement process, we will request:
- details of a primary carer who will live with the child and provide appropriate welfare and accommodation in WA for the duration of their secondary schooling
- the primary carer must be either a parent or blood relative over the age of 21 living in WA
- proof of a WA residential address of the primary carer that will be the child’s usual place of residence while at secondary school.
When you have provided us with this information and we have confirmed it, you can apply for enrolment at the school.
+Enrol at the school
Enrol at the school
You will need to have your enrolment accepted by the school, even if your child has received an offer of a placement in the Gifted and Talented program.
Enrolment processes and conditions for children on a visa are described in the Enrolment Framework for Students with a Visa in Public Schools3. You can also read our information about how to enrol at a public school for visa holders4.
If you are an applicant on a visa, to have your enrolment accepted by the school you will provide your visa grant notice and may require a statement from TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA)1 confirming your local enrolment entitlement. Deadlines apply.
If your enrolment application is rejected, we will cancel your child’s offer and pass it on to the next applicant on the reserve list.
Note:
- Residential colleges or boarding houses cannot be substituted for a verified WA home address or primary parent or carer.
- The offer of a place in the program or an enrolment will be terminated if it is based on false or misleading information.
- Find more information for overseas and interstate applicants and applicants on a visa in the applicant guidelines2.