Enrolling in a school outside your catchment zone

Find out the process for applying to a high school outside your catchment zone and what happens if your child’s enrolment is refused.

Out-of-area enrolment

Schools can accept enrolments from parents who live outside that school’s local enrolment area if places are available.

But there is no guarantee that your application will be successful.

Applications from parents outside a local enrolment area are usually assessed on a range of criteria, including:

• if siblings are already enrolled at the school
• if you have a child with disability or additional needs that are better met at this school
• medical reasons such as improved access to specialist local health services
• special interests and abilities such as language or music classes.

There are usually separate forms for applications to attend a school outside your catchment zone.

Check with the school to confirm application requirements and cut-off dates.

If a non-local enrolment is refused

If you enrolled at a high school outside your catchment zone and were not offered a place at your first choice of school:

• your child will be considered for placement at your second choice, and if unsuccessful again
• your child will then be considered for placement at your third choice of school.

If no place is available, you may be placed on the waiting list or your child will be placed in your local school that was listed in the expression of interest form.

You can appeal the decision. Check with the school to find out what their process is.

If you’re not satisfied by the outcome of the appeal, the matter can then be referred to a local principals network or similar independent body to make a final decision.