Queensland Academies Application 2026-2027: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Last updated: 9 September 2026. Dates, fees and test structure verified against the Queensland Academies' own Year 7 enrolments page and Year 10 enrolments page (Q4 campus cells rechecked 9 September 2026).

What are the 2026 Queensland Academies application dates?

Queensland Academies Year 7 applications for the 2026-2027 cycle close at 4pm on Friday 21 August 2026, and entrance testing runs on 5-6 September 2026. Both dates are published on the Academies' own Year 7 enrolments page, checked on 14 August 2026.

Two details matter for planning. The testing window spans two days because sittings are spread across them, but each candidate sits one test of approximately three hours. And the application cannot be edited after you submit it, so the practical deadline for gathering documents is several days before 21 August, not the afternoon itself.

What are the three Queensland Academies campuses?

The Queensland Academies are three selective state schools, each specialising in a different academic discipline and partnered with a Queensland university. Which one you apply to determines both your child's subjects and, because of the one-application rule, your only shot in this cycle.

All three academies deliver the IB Middle Years Programme that feeds into the IB Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma is internationally recognised by Australian and overseas universities. The academic culture and specialisation at each campus differ, and that difference should drive your campus choice more than location or reputation.

For a detailed comparison to help you decide, see our Queensland Academies campus selection guide.

Should your child apply for Year 7 or Year 10 entry?

There are two entry points, and they are not interchangeable: Year 7 entry is available at QASMT only, and Year 10 entry is available at all three campuses. Your child's current year level determines which one applies.

Year 7 entry: QASMT only

Year 7 entry is available exclusively at QASMT. Neither QACI nor QAHS accepts students at this level. If your child is currently in Year 5, they are eligible to apply for Year 7 entry at QASMT for the following year.

Year 7 is the primary intake for QASMT. Applicants sit the Entrance Test, delivered by EduTest, and students who enter at Year 7 begin the IB Middle Years Programme, continuing to the Diploma Programme in Years 11 and 12.

Year 10 entry: all three campuses

Year 10 entry is available at QASMT, QACI and QAHS. The Academies' Year 10 enrolments page states you can apply for enrolment into Year 10 at any of the three campuses, and that on-time applications are open to students from Term 3 of Year 8, so a student in Year 8 in 2026 applies now for Year 10 in 2028. Year 10 is the pre-IB year, preparing students for the full IB Diploma Programme starting in Year 11.

Year 10 dates run on their own cycle, separate from the Year 7 dates above. As of the 9 September 2026 check of the Year 10 enrolments page, QASMT Year 10 2028 on-time applications close 4pm Friday 21 August 2026 with testing on Sunday 6 September 2026; QACI Year 10 2028 closes 4pm Friday 4 June 2027 with testing listed TBC during Term 2 2027; QAHS Year 10 2028 close and testing remain TBC during Term 1 2027, with a published interview date of Saturday 17 April 2027.

Do not invent fills for TBC cells, and do not assume the Year 7 window applies to QACI or QAHS.

How competitive is entry?

The Academies do not publish an acceptance rate, an applicant count, or a number of places, for either intake. Their admissions guidance says only that "the number of highly capable candidates seeking enrolment typically exceeds the number of places available." We quote no percentage here because none is published, and any applicants-per-place ratio you find elsewhere online is an estimate someone has made up rather than a figure the Academies released.

The one enrolment figure that is published sits in the Queensland Department of Education's enrolment management plan: QASMT has an agreed student enrolment capacity of 1,480 students across all year levels. That is a capacity number, not an intake number, so it does not tell you how many Year 7 places open each year.

Can you apply to more than one Queensland Academy?

No. The Academies state that "a student can only submit one application for enrolment to Queensland Academies in a given year." One application covers all three campuses combined, so you cannot apply to QASMT and QACI in the same round, and you cannot hedge across QAHS and QASMT.

Many families discover this too late, after building a shortlist of two campuses. Choose before you apply.

One related rule is narrower than it is often reported. The Academies state that there is no transfer process from the end of the QASMT Middle School programme (Year 9) into Year 10 at QACI or QAHS. That is a specific pathway, not a blanket ban on all movement between campuses in all circumstances, and we do not extend it beyond what the source says. If your family's situation involves a different kind of move, ask admissions directly rather than assuming.

How to choose a campus

• Match your child's genuine interests, not what sounds most impressive to other parents.
• Attend an open day at your preferred campus, and ask specifically how many places the campus offers at your child's entry point.
• Consider the commute. Toowong, Kelvin Grove and the Gold Coast are very different daily journeys depending on where you live.
• Look at the university partnership, because each opens different subject and exposure opportunities.
• Talk to current families if you can, and ask what a normal weeknight looks like in the IB Middle Years Programme.

For families weighing this decision, our Queensland Academies campus selection guide sets out a framework for choosing the right fit.

What documents do you need for the application?

Gather every required document before you open the portal. The QA Portal does not allow editing after submission, and missing or incomplete documents can make an application ineligible.

A note on NAPLAN results

NAPLAN is one of four assessed elements, not the deciding one. The Academies list academic records, including school reports and NAPLAN results, among the criteria they assess. Include your child's most recent results and present them clearly. NAPLAN gives the selection panel an independent benchmark against national standards, which school reports alone cannot provide.

Medical and giftedness documentation

These are not required from every applicant. If your child has been formally identified as gifted through psychometric testing, or has a medical condition relevant to their education, include the documentation. It gives the panel context when reviewing the whole profile.

What are the steps in the application process?

The application follows a fixed sequence: choose a campus, gather documents, create a portal account, complete the form, pay, submit, sit the Entrance Test, and attend the engagement activity if shortlisted.

How does the QA Portal work?

All Queensland Academies applications are submitted online through the portal at qaportal.aucrm.com, which the Academies link from the "APPLY NOW" button on their enrolments page. This is the accepted method of application.

Key portal details

• URL: qaportal.aucrm.com. Bookmark it and check you are on the correct site.
• Account required: you create a parent account with a valid email address.
• Document uploads: have everything in digital format, PDF preferred, before you start.
• No editing after submission: once you click submit, the application is locked.
• Confirmation email: save it as proof of your submission.

Practical tips for submission day

• Use a desktop or laptop rather than a phone, for better compatibility with uploads.
• Submit on a stable connection, not public Wi-Fi.
• Keep file sizes reasonable, because large scans can time out.
• Name files clearly, for example "Smith_BirthCertificate.pdf".
• Do not leave submission to the afternoon of 21 August. A portal problem at 3pm on the closing day costs you the cycle.

How much is the application fee?

The Queensland Academies publish an on-time application fee of $270.00 for Year 7 entry in 2028, and it is non-refundable. Their enrolments page states that all application fees are final and non-refundable. A second published figure applies if you miss the closing date: the late application fee is $300.00, also non-refundable. Confirm the current Year 10 on-time fee on the Year 10 enrolments page before paying — this section quotes the Year 7 figure.

The fee is payable through the portal during the application process, and an unpaid application does not progress to assessment. The $270.00 figure is the on-time fee, which is why the deadline matters financially as well as procedurally: applying in the late period costs $300.00 and buys a weaker position, because late applicants are assessed only against vacancies that happen to arise.

Because the fee is non-refundable and you can only apply to one campus per year, it is worth being certain about your campus choice before you pay.

What is on the Queensland Academies Entrance Test?

The Entrance Test is facilitated by EduTest and runs for approximately three hours in a single sitting. Year 7 and Year 10 applicants sit the same five timed components. Queensland Academies publishes no minutes total; the section timings below sum to 165 minutes, and the published "approximately three hours" absorbs check-in and breaks.

Neither the Academies nor EduTest publish per-section question counts, so any page that quotes a specific number of questions per section is guessing. That matters for preparation: if you cannot know the exact count, pace practice against the clock, section by section, rather than against a question target.

Total testing time is approximately three hours including breaks, and it is a single sitting. For Year 7 entry in 2028, the published testing window is 5–6 September 2026 because sittings are spread across those days, not because your child sits two days of tests. Year 10 cycles publish campus-specific testing dates on the Year 10 enrolments page.

Written Expression is a 15-minute component for both Year 7 and Year 10 applicants. It looks at whether your child can produce a coherent, structured piece of writing under time pressure. Do not skip it for Year 10 preparation.

For a section-by-section breakdown and targeted preparation strategies, see our Queensland Academies exam format guide. Matched five-component drills live on Queensland Academies practice resources.

Who is invited to the engagement activity?

Only shortlisted candidates are invited. The Academies' own term is "engagement activity", which most families know as the interview, and it is one of four assessed elements rather than a formality every applicant attends.

What the engagement activity looks at

The activity gives the selection panel a view of things a written test cannot show:

• Motivation: why your child wants this specific academy.
• Academic interests: depth of engagement with the campus's field.
• Communication: whether your child can articulate an idea clearly.
• Suitability: readiness for the demands of the IB programme.

How to prepare

• Research the academy. Know its programmes, values, and university partnership.
• Reflect on genuine interests. Be ready to talk about a specific project, book, or problem your child cared about.
• Practise talking, not scripting. Informal conversations about topics your child likes work better than rehearsed answers.
• Prepare questions to ask. Genuine questions show engagement.

Rehearsed answers are easy to spot and rarely help. A panel is trying to work out whether a young person will thrive in a demanding programme, and that comes through in how a student talks about something they actually find interesting.

How are selection decisions made?

The Academies use a holistic selection model across four assessed elements. There are no published cutoff scores, and no percentage weighting is published for any component.

The four elements the Academies list are:

• The Entrance Test, delivered by EduTest.
• Academic records, including school reports and NAPLAN results.
• An engagement activity or interview, for shortlisted candidates.
• Additional relevant information provided with the application.

What a competitive application looks like

Given the holistic model, the applications that read strongest are consistent rather than spiky:

• Steady performance across all Entrance Test components, not one standout section.
• School reports showing high achievement, positive teacher comments, and strong work habits.
• NAPLAN results that corroborate the school reports.
• A clear match between your child's interests and the campus's academic focus.
• For shortlisted candidates, genuine enthusiasm and clear communication at the engagement activity.

For how outcomes are reported and what each result means, see our Queensland Academies results guide.

What we see Queensland families get wrong

If your child is preparing for both Queensland pathways, our HAST and EduTest comparison for Queensland schools sets out where the two tests actually differ.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Queensland Academies applications close in 2026?

Queensland Academies Year 7 applications must be received by 4pm, Friday 21 August 2026, and entrance testing is scheduled for 5-6 September 2026. Both dates are published on the Academies' own Year 7 enrolments page (qa.eq.edu.au), checked 9 September 2026. A late application pathway is published separately: applications can be lodged for a limited period after the on-time close date, for a $300.00 non-refundable fee, and are considered only where a vacancy arises.

Can my child apply to more than one Queensland Academy in the same year?

No. The Academies state that a student can only submit one application for enrolment to Queensland Academies in a given year. That single application covers all three campuses, so you choose QASMT, QACI or QAHS before you apply rather than hedging across them.

How much is the Queensland Academies application fee, and is it refundable?

The published on-time application fee for Year 7 entry in 2028 is $270.00 and it is non-refundable. A separate late application fee of $300.00, also non-refundable, applies during the published late application period. Confirm the current Year 10 on-time fee on the Year 10 enrolments page before paying. The Academies state that all application fees are final and non-refundable, whatever the outcome.

What is on the Queensland Academies Entrance Test, and how long is it?

The Entrance Test is delivered by EduTest and runs for approximately three hours in a single sitting. The published section timings are Verbal Reasoning 30 minutes, Numerical Reasoning 30 minutes, Reading Comprehension 30 minutes, Mathematics 30 minutes, and Written Expression 15 minutes. Per-section question counts are not published by the Academies or by EduTest.

What acceptance rate or cutoff score do the Queensland Academies publish?

None. The Academies publish no acceptance rate, applicant count, place count, cutoff score, or component weighting. Their admissions guidance says only that the number of highly capable candidates seeking enrolment typically exceeds the number of places available. Any specific percentage or applicants-per-place ratio you find online is someone's estimate, not an official figure.

When should my child apply for Year 7 entry at QASMT?

Apply when your child is in Year 5, for entry into Year 7 the following year. Year 7 entry is available at QASMT only, because neither QACI nor QAHS accepts Year 7 applicants.

When should my child apply for Year 10 entry?

On-time applications are open to students from Term 3 of Year 8, for entry into Year 10 two years later. All three campuses, QASMT, QACI and QAHS, accept Year 10 applicants. The Year 10 cycle publishes its own campus-dated closing and testing cells on the Year 10 enrolments page, separate from the Year 7 dates in this guide.

As of 9 September 2026, QASMT Year 10 2028 closes 4pm Friday 21 August 2026 with testing Sunday 6 September 2026; QACI closes 4pm Friday 4 June 2027 with testing TBC Term 2 2027; QAHS close and testing remain TBC Term 1 2027 (interview Saturday 17 April 2027).

Can I edit my application after submitting it on the QA Portal?

No. Applications cannot be edited or amended once submitted through qaportal.aucrm.com. That includes personal details, uploaded documents, and campus preference. Review everything thoroughly before you click submit.

What documents do I need for the application?

A recent photograph of your child, a birth certificate, citizenship or residency documentation, the two most recent semester school reports, NAPLAN results, and any relevant medical or giftedness documentation. Have everything in digital format before you start the portal.

Does every applicant attend the engagement activity?

No. Only shortlisted candidates are invited to the engagement activity, which the Academies list as one of four assessed elements alongside the Entrance Test, academic records, and additional relevant information.

Can my child transfer between Queensland Academies campuses?

The Academies state there is no transfer process from the end of the QASMT Middle School programme in Year 9 into Year 10 at QACI or QAHS. That is the specific pathway they address; they do not publish a blanket rule covering every other kind of move, so ask admissions directly about your child's situation rather than assuming.

Is there a catchment area for the Queensland Academies?

The enrolments page sets out no residential catchment or geographic zone requirement. The Academies select through an application, an Entrance Test and academic records, and applications are made statewide through the QA Portal. Visa requirements are published (see the interstate and international question below); interstate eligibility is not, so put that question to admissions at admissions@qa.eq.edu.au. Whatever your address, factor in the daily commute to Toowong, Kelvin Grove or the Gold Coast.

Can interstate or international students apply?

Not on the same terms. The enrolments page states that QASMT is currently only accredited to enrol international students into the Years 10-12 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, so international students cannot enter at Year 7. Applicants who are temporary residents must hold, or be able to maintain, an appropriate temporary or permanent visa that allows completion of the full Year 7-12 enrolment program. Interstate eligibility is not spelled out, so confirm your child's position with the admissions team at admissions@qa.eq.edu.au before applying. The fee is the same either way: no rate by residency or visa status is published.

What happens if I miss the application deadline?

Applications must be received by 4pm on Friday 21 August 2026. There is a published late application pathway, but it is a weaker route, not a second chance on equal terms. The Academies accept late applications for a limited period after the close date, for a $300.00 non-refundable fee, and consider them only where a vacancy arises, for example when a successful candidate declines an offer or a family relocates. They publish no timelines for late-period testing, interviews or outcomes, and late testing is scheduled around normal school operations.

Treat 21 August as the real deadline and the late pathway as a fallback.

How do I choose between QASMT, QACI and QAHS?

Choose on your child's genuine academic interests. QASMT suits a child drawn to science, mathematics, and technology. QACI fits a child engaged in creative arts, film, music, or design. QAHS suits a child interested in medicine, biomedical science, or allied health. Since you can only submit one application per year, attend an open day at your preferred campus before you decide.

Related Guides

• Queensland Academies practice resources — matched five-component drills after you confirm the campus
• QASMT Toowong entry guide — STEM Year 7 and Year 10 pathway
• QACI Kelvin Grove entry guide — Creative Industries Year 10 pathway
• QAHS Gold Coast entry guide — Health Sciences Year 10 pathway
• Queensland Academies campus selection — choose one campus for the year
• Queensland Academies course
• Queensland Academies exam format breakdown
• Queensland Academies FAQ
• Free mock tests for selective school entry

Once your application is submitted, preparation for the Entrance Test is the next priority. Download a free EduTest sample paper to benchmark your child's current level, then use Queensland Academies practice resources for matched drills. A structured Queensland Academies course is optional after familiarisation.