Sydney Secondary College enrols students in Years 7-10 at the Balmain and Leichhardt Campuses, and in Years 11-12 at the Blackwattle Bay Campus.
There are places for local students (school finder), academically selective students, mainstream non-local students and special education (physically disabled and intellectually disabled) students.
In addition to the general principles outlined below, there are particular criteria for enrolment in the:
- Selective,
- Comprehensive
- Academic and Creative Enrichment classes
- Talented Athlete Program
- Special Education streams and
- Specialist programs
Students from government primary schools will usually enrol in Year 7 at Balmain or Leichhardt using the High School Enrolment Application issued to Year 6 students in March.
Students living within our designated intake area are entitled to enrol in the comprehensive school. The boundaries of our Balmain Campus intake area are determined by the Department of Education and Training and cover parts of Glebe, Ultimo, Lilyfield, Rozelle, Balmain, Birchgrove, Pyrmont and Drummoyne.
Contact Port Jackson Area Office on 02 9582 5800 for more details or on the campus of your choice.
Our school can help with enrolment queries throughout the year.
Local enrolment area
Check your address on School Finder to see if it is within our local intake area. Most schools have designated local enrolment areas. Note: local enrolment areas are subject to change.
How to enrol
If you live in our intake area and would like to apply to enrol at our school, start by submitting an online enrolment application. Online enrolment is currently only available for Australian or New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.
If you are not able to apply online or you prefer not to, download the paper application to enrol (PDF 768.4KB) form. Please complete the form in English. A translated application to enrol may help you do this.
Online enrolment can also be used for out-of-area enrolment. Please note that out-of-area enrolment procedures are subject to the department’s enrolment policy.
Enrolment applications are finalised at the school.
For more information, visit secondary school enrolment.
For more information, visit:
How to enrol - Year 6 into Year 7
In NSW government schools, applying to move from primary school to high school is a 2-step process that starts with an Expression of Interest. Visit the moving to high school page to learn more about the process.
- If you have received an offer from our school for placement into Year 7 next year, the next step is to visit online enrolment to proceed with the offer and complete the enrolment application.
- If you did not submit an expression of interest or are not eligible, visit online enrolment to start a new application to our school.
- If you submitted your expression of interest using a paper form, or would prefer not to enrol online, use the application to enrol (PDF 768.4KB) form.
Moving to high school
Visit the moving to high school page to find out more about the transition of year 6 students into year 7.
Temporary visas and international students
The Temporary Residents Program has information about eligibility and the forms to complete an application.
Distance education
Distance education is an equity program for students who are geographically isolated or whose individual circumstances prevent them from regularly attending school. Students must meet one of the conditions in the Distance Education Enrolment Procedures to be eligible to access this program as a full-time student.
For more information about educational opportunities in rural areas, visit Rural and distance education.
Non-local enrolments
As outlined in the department’s enrolment policy, our school may accept enrolments from outside our local enrolment area if places are available.
Enrolment with students with disabilities
Sydney Secondary College provides a range of services and resources to support the education of students with disabilities. These include:
- support and mainstream classes at Balmain Campus for Years 7-10 and at Blackwattle Bay Campus for Years 11-12
- Support unit at Balmain campus
Temporary visas and international students
For information about eligibility and forms to complete, visit the temporary residents program.
All international students related enquiries should be directed to 1300 300 229.
CRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education
CRICOS Provider Code:00588M
Enrolment of non-Australian citizens
Non-Australian students entering Australia must hold a valid visa and are subject to the specific travel, entry and residency conditions set out on the Department of Immigration and Mulitcultural and Indigenous affairs website. Sydney Secondary College operates a program for international full fee paying students. Enrolment must be arranged through:
International Students Centre
PO Box 707
(827-839 George Street)
Broadway NSW 2007
Australia
Phone: (+61 2) 9217 4801 or 1300 302 456 (in Australia)
Fax: (+61 2) 9217 4060 or (+61 2) 9212 6721
Email: isc@det.nsw.edu.au
Part time enrolment
Students are generally enrolled in Sydney Secondary College on a full-time basis. Part-time enrolment, however, is possible for:
- students in Years 11 and 12 who choose the HSC Pathway option to accumulate units towards their HSC over several years
- students who undertake some of their studies external to the school
- students with disabilities involved in post-school options
- mature age students re-entering the school system
- students with medical conditions enrolling in distance education.
Students seeking to enrol part-time should consult the Principal of the campus concerned.
Refusal of enrolment
Principals may refuse enrolment of a student on the grounds of previously documented violent behaviour if there is evidence that the student has not learned the appropriate skills to manage this behaviour.
Year 10 Enrolments after Term 2 will be processed on an individual basis. If students wish to enrol at Blackwattle Bay Campus for year 11, they are to proceed directly to that Campus and apply for enrolment.
Exchange students
Exchange students on student visas can enrol at Sydney Secondary College for a period of one to twelve months. Their enrolment is arranged with the Principal by the exchange organisation prior to their arrival. Enrolment is at the discretion of the Principal.