HAST Schools: Complete Australian List by State 2026 | BrainTree Coaching

Which Australian schools use the HAST test?

The Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST) is an aptitude-based assessment developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), and it is currently used by over 60 schools across four states: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. If your child is applying for a selective entry programme, gifted stream, or scholarship placement in any of these states, there is a strong chance the HAST is part of the selection process.

This guide from Braintree Coaching Australia sets out the most comprehensive list of schools that use the HAST, organised by state, with entry requirements, test-date information, and practical preparation guidance. Understanding which HAST schools sit in your area, and exactly what each requires, is the essential first step in any preparation strategy. For the full pathway, start with the HAST exam preparation hub and the HAST test format guide.

The HAST is paper-based, administered by individual schools on dates they choose, and used for a range of selection purposes: selective entry streams within government high schools, scholarship entry at independent and private schools, and gifted and talented programme entry at government schools. Unlike curriculum exams that test what students have been taught, the HAST measures reasoning ability, analytical thinking, and academic aptitude.

The two HAST levels

Schools use one of two HAST levels depending on the year of entry they are testing for:

• HAST-P (Primary) — for students seeking entry into Years 5 or 6
• HAST Secondary — for students seeking entry into Years 7 through 11 (available as Junior, Middle, or Senior sub-levels)

Both levels test the same four core areas: Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Reasoning (or Mathematical and Scientific Reasoning at secondary level), Abstract Reasoning, and Written Expression. For a full explanation of how the test works, see the HAST test format guide.

HAST vs Edutest: which Queensland test applies to your school?

Before reading the school list, Queensland families need to understand a distinction that creates significant confusion: not all Queensland selective schools use the HAST. The Queensland Academies, three of Queensland's most competitive selective entry schools, use Edutest rather than the HAST.

• QASMT (Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology, Toowong) — Edutest
• QACI (Queensland Academy for Creative Industries, Kelvin Grove) — Edutest
• QAHS (Queensland Academy for Health Sciences, Gold Coast) — Edutest

This matters. Families preparing for the Queensland Academies need to prepare for Edutest, a five-component computer-based test with a very different structure from the HAST. If your child is applying to both a Queensland Academy and Brisbane State High School, they will need to prepare for both Edutest and the HAST.

Which Queensland schools use the HAST?

Queensland has nine confirmed schools participating in the HAST for selective entry. The state's HAST schools predominantly serve students seeking entry into Years 7 to 11 via the HAST Secondary (Junior level), with Brisbane State High School the notable exception.

Queensland HAST schools, full list

1. Brisbane State High School (BSHS) The most prominent and competitive HAST school in Queensland. Uses HAST-P for Year 5 students seeking Year 7 selective entry. See the Brisbane State High School section below for full entry information.

2. Benowa State High School Located on the Gold Coast, Benowa offers selective entry via the HAST for academically gifted students and consistently achieves strong ATAR outcomes.

3. Brisbane South State Secondary College A newer government school in Brisbane's south offering selective entry pathways using the HAST, blending selective entry students with its broader student population.

4. Indooroopilly State High School One of Brisbane's most well-regarded government high schools, Indooroopilly uses the HAST for its selective entry programme and attracts students from across the metropolitan area.

5. Murrumba State Secondary College Located in the Moreton Bay region north of Brisbane, Murrumba uses the HAST for its academic excellence programme, an increasingly popular choice for families in Brisbane's northern growth corridor.

6. Narangba Valley State High School Another Moreton Bay region school offering HAST-based selective entry, a solid option for families in the northern suburbs who want a selective programme without the commute to inner Brisbane.

7. Palm Beach Currumbin State High School Located on the southern Gold Coast, PBC offers selective entry via the HAST, drawing students from across the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads area.

8. Robina State High School Robina's selective entry programme, accessed via the HAST, serves Gold Coast students seeking an academically demanding environment and offers a comprehensive selective curriculum.

9. The Southport School Located on the northern Gold Coast, The Southport School is a non-government (Anglican) boys' school that uses the HAST for scholarship and selective entry, in the context of its scholarship programme rather than government selective entry.

For deeper strategy advice across these schools, see the HAST test preparation strategies guide.

How does Brisbane State High School use the HAST?

Brisbane State High School (BSHS) deserves extended treatment because it is Queensland's most competitive HAST school, and it uses HAST-P (Primary level), making it distinct from the other Queensland HAST schools.

Who can apply to BSHS via the HAST?

BSHS's selective entry programme uses the HAST-P (Primary) level, designed for students currently in Year 5 who are seeking entry into Year 7 at BSHS. Year 5 students sit the HAST-P in the year before their intended entry, competing for places in the following year's Year 7 intake. So a child wanting to start at BSHS in Year 7 in 2027 would need to sit the HAST-P as a Year 5 student during 2026.

BSHS application requirements

BSHS HAST-P format

Unlike the other Queensland HAST schools, which use HAST Secondary for Year 7 entry from high school, BSHS uses the HAST-P (Primary) because applicants are Year 5 students. The HAST-P at BSHS has three confirmed components:

• Reading Comprehension — 35 minutes, multiple choice
• Mathematical Reasoning — 35 minutes, multiple choice
• Written Expression — 30 minutes, written response

The BSHS HAST-P includes three components rather than four; Brisbane State High's test does not include Abstract Reasoning as a separate component in the way the full HAST-P does. Always verify the current format with the school. To understand how each component is scored, see the HAST test results interpretation guide.

What BSHS officially recommends for preparation

Brisbane State High School advises that the best preparation is active engagement in current learning at primary school. This reflects ACER's testing philosophy: the HAST assesses reasoning ability and skills, not memorised content. Last-minute cramming or drilling past papers will not yield the same results as a sustained focus on genuine skill-building.

Competition and selectivity at BSHS

Brisbane State High's selective entry programme is among Queensland's most competitive. Hundreds of Year 5 students from across Brisbane, and beyond, apply each year for a limited number of Year 7 selective places, and HAST performance is the primary differentiator. The earlier your child begins building reasoning skills, the better positioned they will be on test day.

Which NSW schools use the HAST?

New South Wales has the largest number of HAST-participating schools in Australia, with approximately 33 government schools using the HAST for selective entry streams. These are government selective high schools or schools with selective streams, distinct from the private schools that use the HAST for scholarship selection.

The following NSW government schools use the HAST, typically HAST Secondary (Junior level), for selective entry.

Sydney metropolitan area:

• Blacktown Girls High School
• Beverly Hills Girls High School
• Canterbury Boys High School
• Caringbah High School
• Castle Hill High School
• Chatswood High School
• Cheltenham Girls High School
• Cronulla High School
• Epping Boys High School
• Granville Boys High School
• Homebush Boys High School
• Hornsby Girls High School
• Macquarie Fields High School
• Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School
• Pennant Hills High School
• Ryde Secondary College
• St George Girls High School
• Sefton High School
• Sydney Technical High School
• Willoughby Girls High School
• Woolooware High School

Regional NSW:

• Gosford High School (Central Coast)
• Gorokan High School (Central Coast)
• Hurlstone Agricultural High School (rural focus, unique in the NSW selective system)
• Narara Valley High School (Central Coast)
• NBSC (Northern Beaches Secondary College), multiple campuses
• Penrith Selective Environment School
• Toronto High School (Lake Macquarie)
• Wadalba Community School (Central Coast)

Primary level:

• Sydney Grammar Edgecliff (Primary), uses HAST-P for primary entry

Catholic schools:

• Sydney Catholic Schools Newman Programme, a gifted and talented programme across multiple Catholic schools

Which Victorian schools use the HAST?

Victoria has approximately 28 schools participating in the HAST, making it the second-largest HAST state after NSW. Victorian HAST schools include both government selective entry programmes and independent schools using the HAST for scholarship selection.

Government schools with selective programmes:

• Balwyn High School, a highly regarded selective programme in Melbourne's eastern suburbs
• Box Hill High School, a strong academic tradition with selective entry via the HAST
• Cheltenham Secondary College, a well-established HAST school in Melbourne's south-east
• Dandenong High School, serving Melbourne's south-eastern growth corridor
• St Helena Secondary College, a popular north-eastern Melbourne option
• Wheelers Hill Secondary College, in south-eastern Melbourne with consistently strong academic outcomes

Many additional Victorian government schools across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria also participate in the HAST programme. The Victorian Department of Education coordinates a separate selective entry examination for its top-tier selective schools (Mac.Robertson, Melbourne High, and others), while the HAST is used by the broader group of schools offering partial selective entry.

Which South Australian schools use the HAST?

South Australia has five or more confirmed schools using the HAST, primarily through the IGNITE gifted and talented programme, a Department for Education initiative offering extension learning for academically talented students.

IGNITE programme schools (government):

• Aberfoyle Park High School, in the southern suburbs of Adelaide
• Glenunga International High School, in the eastern suburbs, internationally focused
• The Heights School, in the northern suburbs

Other SA HAST schools:

• Adelaide Botanic High School, in inner Adelaide, with an arts and sciences focus
• Norwood International High School, in the eastern suburbs

The SA IGNITE programme uses the HAST as part of a holistic selection process that may also consider school reports and other assessment evidence. Contact the Department for Education or each school directly for current requirements and application processes.

When is the HAST sat, and how do test dates work?

There is no single, universal HAST test date. Unlike the NSW Selective Test, which has one state-wide test day, or NAPLAN, which runs during a fixed national window, the HAST operates on a school-by-school basis. Each school nominates its own test date with ACER to suit its admissions calendar.

Each school sets its own test date

• Brisbane State High School tests on a date it selects, different from all other schools
• Indooroopilly State High School tests on a date it selects, which may or may not coincide with BSHS
• An NSW HAST school may test on an entirely different date from any Queensland school

The practical implication is that you cannot know when the HAST is without contacting each specific school you are applying to. There is also no centralised HAST registration portal.

For practical guidance on the test environment itself, see the HAST test day guidelines.

Can my child apply to more than one HAST school?

Yes, in many cases. Because each school manages its own HAST testing calendar, it may be possible to apply to, and sit the HAST at, more than one school, provided the test dates do not overlap. This is a genuine advantage of the HAST system compared to centralised tests.

Benefits of applying to multiple HAST schools

• More opportunities — if your child does not receive an offer from their first-choice school, another school may still come through
• Practice effect — sitting the HAST in a real test environment can reduce anxiety for subsequent sittings at other schools
• More data — results from different sittings can reveal your child's strengths and areas for development

Considerations before applying to multiple schools

• Application fees — each school charges its own fee (typically between $50 and $420 depending on the school), so multiple applications can add up
• Logistics — travelling to multiple test venues on different dates requires planning
• Your child's wellbeing — ensure additional sittings do not create excessive stress or fatigue; more is not always better

How do you prepare for the HAST?

Because the HAST measures aptitude and reasoning skills rather than curriculum knowledge, preparation is fundamentally different from studying for a subject-based exam. Building genuine skills is far more effective than drilling question formats. For a complete set of materials, see the HAST practice tests and resources library.

What the HAST tests across all four components

A HAST-specific preparation approach

The abstract reasoning component: do not neglect it

One of the most common preparation mistakes for HAST schools is neglecting the Abstract Reasoning component. Because it is unlike anything in school curricula, families sometimes do not realise it requires specific preparation. Abstract Reasoning questions present visual sequences, shape patterns, and spatial puzzles, and the student's task is to identify the rule governing each pattern and apply it, without using language or factual knowledge.

Approaches that work include practising with pattern recognition and visual logic puzzles, using published abstract reasoning materials, discussing the process of identifying patterns rather than only the answers, and practising under time pressure, where students most often lose marks.

Where to find HAST practice materials

Because ACER does not release past HAST tests, families often feel uncertain about what practice materials to use. Official materials include ACER's HAST Sample Question Booklet for HAST Secondary and the Candidate Information Bulletin from your target school. To benchmark reasoning skills more broadly, a Year 5 Edutest sample paper offers comparable timed reasoning practice, and Braintree Coaching Australia's free mock tests provide selective-style questions under realistic timing.

For a complete preparation package built around ACER's aptitude philosophy, the HAST Ultimate Pack covers every component with timed practice and expert feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HAST test?

The HAST (Higher Ability Selection Test) is an aptitude-based assessment developed by ACER, the Australian Council for Educational Research. Rather than testing curriculum content, it measures reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, abstract reasoning, and written expression to identify students suited to academically demanding selective and scholarship programmes.

Which schools use the HAST test?

Over 60 schools across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia use the HAST for selective entry, gifted-programme entry, or scholarship selection. In Queensland this includes Brisbane State High School and eight others; NSW has roughly 33 government schools; Victoria around 28; and South Australia uses it through the IGNITE programme.

Is the HAST the same at every school?

The core HAST format is consistent, but schools choose which level they use and how they apply results. Schools select either HAST-P (Primary, for Years 5 to 6 entry) or HAST Secondary (Years 7 to 11), and each sets its own test date, fee, and selection weighting. Always confirm details with the specific school using the HAST test format guide as a reference.

When is the HAST sat?

There is no single national HAST date. Each school nominates its own test date with ACER to suit its admissions calendar, so Brisbane State High School may test on a different day from an NSW or Victorian HAST school. You must contact each target school directly to learn when their test is held.

How do I register for the HAST?

Registration is managed directly by each school, not through a central portal. Contact the enrolment or admissions office of every school you are interested in, request application forms and deadlines, pay any applicable fee, and confirm the test date and venue. Most schools open applications early in the calendar year.

Can you prepare for the HAST?

Yes, although traditional study of facts and formulas is largely ineffective because the HAST measures reasoning rather than memorised content. Productive preparation builds genuine skills through wide reading, mathematical problem-solving, regular abstract reasoning puzzles, and timed writing practice, sustained over several months. See the HAST test preparation strategies guide for a structured approach.

Do the Queensland Academies use the HAST?

No. The Queensland Academies (QASMT, QACI, and QAHS) use Edutest, not the HAST. The HAST is used by Brisbane State High School and eight other Queensland government high schools. Families applying to both a Queensland Academy and a HAST school must prepare for two different tests.

Does the HAST cover private schools and scholarships?

Yes. Alongside government selective entry, some independent and private schools use the HAST for scholarship selection, such as The Southport School in Queensland. If you are applying for a scholarship, confirm with the school whether they use the HAST and which level applies before you begin preparation.

Related Guides

• HAST exam preparation hub — The full HAST pathway, family by family
• HAST test format guide — Detailed breakdown of each HAST component
• HAST test preparation strategies — Study methods that build reasoning skill
• HAST practice tests and resources — Curated materials and sample questions
• HAST test results interpretation — How HAST scores are reported and used
• HAST exam FAQ — Answers to the most common parent questions

Last updated: 2 June 2026