Best Selective Schools in Queensland: Complete Guide 2026

What are the best selective schools in Queensland?

Queensland's best selective schools fall into three competitive pathways: the three state-run Queensland Academies (QASMT in Toowong, QACI in Kelvin Grove, and QAHS on the Gold Coast), Brisbane State High School's Academic Selective Entry stream, and academic scholarships at independent grammar schools. Queensland does things differently from other states. Where New South Wales operates 47 selective high schools through a single centralised system, Queensland offers a smaller collection of pathways that vary genuinely in curriculum, entry exam, and specialisation. Understanding which one suits your child is the first decision a family faces.

This guide compares every Queensland selective pathway, explains how each entry test works, and sets out a preparation timeline that covers both major exams. For the broader pathway and how Queensland's options sit alongside other states, start with our selective school preparation hub. The reasoning skills assessed in Queensland mirror those tested interstate, so the NSW selective test format guide is a useful companion read for understanding question styles.

How do the Queensland Academies work?

The Queensland Academies are state government schools that exclusively offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, with entry via the EduTest exam and each campus partnered with a specific Queensland university. They are the closest equivalent in Queensland to the fully selective schools families know from New South Wales. There are three campuses, and a student may apply for only one per application cycle.

Entry to all three campuses is highly competitive. The EduTest assesses five areas — Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Written Expression — and the application fee is $250 (non-refundable). No calculators are permitted, and the test is deliberately designed so that the average student completes only about half the questions. That is by design, not a sign of failure, and it is one reason structured practice matters so much. Families new to reasoning-style assessments often find the NSW selective test preparation strategies a helpful starting framework, because the underlying verbal and numerical reasoning skills transfer directly to EduTest.

The IB Diploma itself is rigorous and globally recognised. Students study six subjects across different groups, complete an Extended Essay (a 4,000-word independent research project), engage in Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and fulfil Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirements. Australian universities convert IB scores to equivalent ATARs for admission, so an IB graduate is not disadvantaged in domestic applications. For a structured way to cover all five EduTest components, see the Queensland Academies Ultimate Pack.

What makes each Queensland Academy campus different?

Each Queensland Academy campus has a distinct specialisation, a different university partner, and, importantly, a different entry point. Students cannot transfer between campuses once enrolled, so choosing the right one at the application stage is the single most important decision in this pathway.

QASMT — Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology

QASMT is the flagship campus and the only one offering Year 7 entry, which makes it the primary target for families beginning their selective journey at the start of secondary school. Located in Toowong in Brisbane's inner west, it partners with the University of Queensland (UQ) and has built a reputation for STEM depth. The UQ partnership gives students access to university facilities, guest lectures from researchers, and mentorship that bridges secondary and tertiary study. Both Year 7 and Year 10 entry are available, via the EduTest. For component-by-component preparation, our NSW selective practice tests and resources cover the same reasoning and mathematics question types that EduTest assesses.

QACI — Queensland Academy for Creative Industries

QACI brings together academically able students with a passion for the creative industries — visual and performing arts, film and media, creative writing, and digital innovation. Located at Kelvin Grove in Brisbane's inner north, it partners with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), whose Creative Industries Faculty is one of the largest in Australia. QACI is unusual among selective schools in that it values creative ability alongside academic rigour: students are expected to be both. Entry is at Year 10 only, via the EduTest.

QAHS — Queensland Academy for Health Sciences

QAHS is Queensland's selective pathway for students drawn to health sciences, biomedical research, and allied health. Located on the Gold Coast, it partners with Griffith University and sits within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, alongside the Gold Coast University Hospital. For students with aspirations in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, biomedical science, or pharmacology, the proximity to clinical environments is a genuine advantage. Entry is at Year 10 only, via the EduTest.

How does Brisbane State High School selective entry work?

Brisbane State High School (BSHS) is one of Queensland's largest and most established state schools, dating to 1921, and its Academic Selective Entry programme offers Year 7 places to high-ability students through a completely separate process from the Queensland Academies — using the HAST exam administered by ACER rather than EduTest. Successful students follow the ATAR pathway, not the IB.

BSHS offers what the Queensland Academies do not: the ATAR pathway. Where the academies deliver the IB Diploma exclusively, BSHS students follow the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and receive an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank — the standard university entry score used across Australia. For families who prefer the ATAR system to the IB, BSHS is the clear choice. The selective stream sits within a large, comprehensive school in South Brisbane, so selective-entry students also benefit from the broader school's sport, music, debating, and leadership programmes.

How do the Queensland selective pathways compare?

Choosing the right Queensland pathway comes down to your child's interests, learning style, and long-term goals. The table below sets the three main routes side by side so the trade-offs are clear before you commit to any application.

The defining choice for most families is curriculum. The IB Diploma (Queensland Academies) is a holistic, research-intensive programme with six subjects, an Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS — highly regarded internationally, but demanding, with less room to specialise early. The ATAR pathway (Brisbane State High) follows the QCAA framework, offers more flexibility in subject selection, and is the familiar standard route into Australian universities.

How do grammar school scholarships work in Queensland?

Queensland's independent grammar schools offer a third pathway: academic scholarships that can significantly reduce tuition fees, sometimes covering the full cost. Each school runs its own testing and interview process — there is no centralised grammar school exam in Queensland, so formats, dates, fees, and criteria differ from school to school.

Some of the most prominent grammar schools offering academic scholarships include:

• Brisbane Grammar School — one of Brisbane's established boys' schools, offering academic scholarships for entry at various year levels.
• Brisbane Girls Grammar School — a long-established girls' grammar school with a competitive academic scholarship programme.
• Ipswich Grammar School — one of Queensland's oldest schools, offering scholarships to students across the region.
• Toowoomba Grammar School — a major boarding and day school serving the Darling Downs and wider regional Queensland.
• Townsville Grammar School — North Queensland's established grammar school, with scholarship pathways for local and boarding students.
• Rockhampton Grammar School — serving Central Queensland with academic and general excellence scholarships.

Most grammar school scholarship processes include some combination of an academic assessment or entrance examination, an interview with the student (and sometimes parents), a review of school reports, and in some cases assessment of co-curricular achievement or leadership. Scholarships are awarded on merit and may cover part or all of tuition for the duration of enrolment, subject to maintaining academic standards. Some schools also offer needs-based bursaries that can combine with academic scholarships. A free Year 5 sample reasoning paper is a useful early benchmark for the academic-assessment component most scholarship tests share.

What options exist for regional Queensland families?

Queensland's selective schools are concentrated in the south-east: the three academies sit in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, and Brisbane State High is, by definition, in Brisbane. For families outside the south-east corner, accessing selective education requires a different approach, but several real options exist.

• Grammar schools with boarding — Toowoomba Grammar, Townsville Grammar, and Rockhampton Grammar offer boarding alongside academic scholarships, often with dedicated regional scholarship streams.
• QAHS on the Gold Coast — for families in northern New South Wales or the Gold Coast hinterland, QAHS may be more accessible than the Brisbane-based options.
• State-school Centres of Excellence — some Queensland state schools run Centres of Excellence or academic extension programmes in specific disciplines, providing enriched learning without the full selective structure.
• Distance education — the Queensland Government provides distance education that can supplement local schooling for gifted students in remote areas.
• Relocating for Year 10 entry — because QACI and QAHS accept students at Year 10, some regional families plan a move to Brisbane or the Gold Coast to coincide with that entry point.

How should we prepare for Queensland selective entry?

Whether your child is targeting the Queensland Academies (EduTest), Brisbane State High School (HAST), or grammar school scholarships, early and structured preparation makes a measurable difference. The phases below give a framework families can adapt to their starting point.

A practical first step is a free diagnostic. Our free mock tests cover EduTest and HAST-style reasoning under realistic timing, so you can see exactly where your child stands before committing to a full programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best selective schools in Queensland?

Queensland's most academically competitive schools are the three Queensland Academies (QASMT in Toowong, QACI in Kelvin Grove, QAHS on the Gold Coast), which deliver the IB Diploma via EduTest entry, and Brisbane State High School's Academic Selective Entry stream, which follows the ATAR pathway via the HAST exam. Independent grammar schools offer a third pathway through academic scholarships. Start your planning at the selective school preparation hub.

Can my child apply for both the Queensland Academies and Brisbane State High School?

Yes. The Queensland Academies (EduTest) and Brisbane State High School (HAST) use completely separate application processes and entry exams, so your child can sit both in the same year. For Year 7 entry, a child can apply to QASMT and BSHS at the same time, effectively giving two chances at a selective place.

What is the difference between the IB Diploma and the ATAR pathway?

The IB Diploma, offered exclusively by the Queensland Academies, is a two-year international programme with six subjects, an Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS requirements. The ATAR pathway, offered by Brisbane State High and most Queensland schools, follows the QCAA curriculum toward a QCE and an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. Australian universities accept both — IB scores are converted to equivalent ATARs for domestic admissions.

Which Queensland Academy campus should my child apply for?

You can apply to only one Queensland Academy campus per year, so choose by your child's strengths: QASMT (Toowong) for science, mathematics, and technology; QACI (Kelvin Grove) for creative industries; QAHS (Gold Coast) for health sciences. Also note that QASMT offers Year 7 entry while QACI and QAHS accept students only at Year 10.

What does the EduTest exam for the Queensland Academies involve?

The EduTest used by the Queensland Academies assesses five areas — Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Written Expression. The application fee is $250 (non-refundable), and no calculators are permitted. The test is designed so the average student completes about half the questions, which is intentional, not a sign of failure.

What does the HAST exam for Brisbane State High School involve?

The HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test) is a paper-based exam administered by ACER for Brisbane State High School's selective entry. It covers Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, and Written Expression, takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, and the examination fee is $420. The Written Expression component is double-marked by trained assessors.

What options exist for regional Queensland families?

Regional families can pursue grammar schools with boarding (Toowoomba, Townsville, and Rockhampton Grammar) that often run regional scholarship streams, consider QAHS on the Gold Coast if closer than Brisbane, or use state-school Centres of Excellence. Some families plan a relocation to coincide with Year 10 entry to QACI or QAHS.

When should we start preparing for Queensland selective school entry?

Begin foundational preparation 18 to 24 months before the target entry point. For Year 7 entry to QASMT or BSHS, that means starting in Year 5, focused on reading habits, mathematical reasoning, and a diagnostic assessment. More structured, exam-specific preparation typically intensifies 6 to 12 months before the exam date.

Related Guides

• Queensland Academies acceptance rates and scores — what scores competitive applicants typically need
• QLD Academies vs NSW Selective compared — how the two systems differ in entry and curriculum
• Queensland selective school preparation timeline — a year-by-year planning roadmap
• Queensland grammar school scholarships guide — the independent-school scholarship pathway in detail
• NSW selective test preparation strategies — study methods that build the reasoning skills both exams reward
• NSW selective practice tests and resources — practice material across the core reasoning components

Last updated: 2 June 2026