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New South Wales school catchments

1657 primary + 443 secondary catchments. NSW Department of Education open data.

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how NSW school catchments work

NSW public schools each have a defined local enrolment area (intake zone). Every child living in the zone is entitled to enrol. Out-of-area applications are accepted when the school has spare capacity.

enrolment notes

Selective high schools, opportunity classes (OC) and specialist sport/performing arts streams have separate entry processes that override catchment.

top NSW primary schools by ICSEA

ICSEA is ACARA's Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage — 1000 is the national average, higher = more advantage in the school's community. Not a quality score.

  • 1.Woollahra PSICSEA 1193
  • 2.Beecroft PSICSEA 1187
  • 3.Northbridge PSICSEA 1181
  • 4.Turramurra PSICSEA 1181
  • 5.Lane Cove PSICSEA 1178
  • 6.Balgowlah Hts PSICSEA 1177
  • 7.Matthew Pearce PSICSEA 1177
  • 8.Bronte PSICSEA 1176
  • 9.Glenmore Rd PSICSEA 1176
  • 10.Pymble PSICSEA 1176
  • 11.Greenwich PSICSEA 1175
  • 12.Epping NPSICSEA 1174
  • 13.West Pymble PSICSEA 1173
  • 14.Balmain PSICSEA 1172
  • 15.Roseville PSICSEA 1172

top NSW high schools by ICSEA

  • 1.Lindfield LVICSEA 1152
  • 2.Willoughby GHSICSEA 1152
  • 3.Killara HSICSEA 1147
  • 4.Cherrybrook THSICSEA 1146
  • 5.Cheltenham GHSICSEA 1142
  • 6.Chatswood HSICSEA 1137
  • 7.Cammeraygal HSICSEA 1135
  • 8.Killarney Hts HSICSEA 1132
  • 9.Parramatta HSICSEA 1132
  • 10.Newtown HS of Performing ArtsICSEA 1127
  • 11.Mosman HSICSEA 1126
  • 12.St Ives HSICSEA 1125
  • 13.Castle Hill HSICSEA 1121
  • 14.The Ponds HSICSEA 1118
  • 15.Turramurra HSICSEA 1118

largest NSW high schools by enrolment

  • 1.The Ponds HS2,318 students
  • 2.Chatswood HS2,145 students
  • 3.Cherrybrook THS2,097 students
  • 4.Castle Hill HS1,842 students
  • 5.Killara HS1,800 students
  • 6.Carlingford HS1,771 students
  • 7.St Ives HS1,750 students
  • 8.Canley Vale HS1,651 students
  • 9.Bonnyrigg HS1,641 students
  • 10.Arthur Phillip HS1,636 students
  • 11.Cabramatta HS1,622 students
  • 12.Oran Park HS1,579 students
  • 13.Westfields Sp HS1,537 students
  • 14.Glenwood HS1,506 students
  • 15.Epping BHS1,491 students

NSW selective schools (27)

entry by test, not by catchment.

  • Alexandria Park CSpartial
  • Alexandria Park CSpartial
  • Armidale SCpartial
  • Auburn GHSpartial
  • Blacktown BHSpartial
  • Blacktown GHSpartial
  • Bonnyrigg HSpartial
  • Chatswood HSpartial
  • Elizabeth Macarthur HSpartial
  • Gorokan HSpartial
  • Grafton HSpartial
  • Granville BHSpartial
  • Karabar HSpartial
  • Kooringal HSpartial
  • Macquarie Fields HSpartial
  • Moorebank HSpartial
  • Parramatta HSpartial
  • Peel HSpartial
  • Prairiewood HSpartial
  • Richmond HSpartial
  • Rose Bay SCpartial
  • Ryde SCpartial
  • Sefton HSpartial
  • SSC Balmainpartial
  • SSC Blackwattle Baypartial
  • SSC Leichhardtpartial
  • Tempe HSpartial

NSW boys' schools (12)

  • Ashfield BHS
  • Belmore BHS
  • Birrong BHS
  • Blacktown BHS
  • Canterbury BHS
  • East Hls BHS
  • Epping BHS
  • Granville BHS
  • Homebush BHS
  • Liverpool BHS
  • NBSC Balgowlah Boys
  • Punchbowl BHS

NSW girls' schools (16)

  • Auburn GHS
  • Bankstown GHS
  • Beverly Hls GHS
  • Birrong GHS
  • Blacktown GHS
  • Burwood GHS
  • Canterbury GHS
  • Cheltenham GHS
  • East Hls GTHS
  • Liverpool GHS
  • Macarthur GHS
  • NBSC Mackellar Girls

browse NSW schools by category

other states

catchment data and policies change — always confirm enrolment eligibility directly with the school. New South Walesnon-government (catholic, independent) schools accept enrolments from anywhere and aren't catchment-restricted. ICSEA reflects community socio-educational advantage, not school quality.