Overseas and interstate applicants and applicants on a visa

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). 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

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 guidelines.   

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 

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 

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 Schools. You can also read our information about how to enrol at a public school for visa holders. 

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) 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 guidelines.