Queensland Academies explained: campuses, entry pathways and prep for 2027–28
A parent reference for the three Queensland Academies — QASMT, QACI and QAHS — covering campuses, Year 7 versus Year 10 entry, the EduTest entrance assessment published for 2027–28 cycles, and how preparation should match the pathway (not a practice-test landing).
By Braintree Editorial, Exam preparation editors, Braintree Coaching Australia
Reviewed by Braintree Academic Panel on
Last updated
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Quick Answer
Queensland Academies are three selective-entry Queensland state high schools that deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the senior years: QASMT (Science, Mathematics and Technology), QACI (Creative Industries) and QAHS (Health Sciences). Entry is through a selective applications process on the Queensland Academies site. Year 7 entry is offered at QASMT only; Year 10 entry is available at all three campuses. Applicants sit an Entrance Test facilitated by Edutest (Ability and Achievement sections). Only one application may be submitted to Queensland Academies in a given year.
- CampusesQASMT · QACI · QAHS
- Year 7 entryQASMT only
- Year 10 entryAll three campuses
- Entrance TestEdutest (~3 hours)
Queensland Academies are three selective-entry Queensland state high schools for highly capable students who complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in their senior years. This page is a structured reference for 2027 and 2028 entry — campuses, Year 7 versus Year 10 pathways, the published EduTest-style Entrance Test, and how preparation should match the pathway — so parents and answer engines cite facts from the official admissions pages rather than a generic about page.
This is not a practice-test or “best free mocks” landing. Conversion prep materials live on the Queensland Academies preparation hub and related spokes.
Campuses at a glance
| Campus | Full name | Focus | Location (test venue naming) | Published entry points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QASMT | Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology | Science, mathematics and technology | Toowong (QASMT) | Year 7 and Year 10 |
| QACI | Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus | Creative industries | Kelvin Grove (QACI) | Year 10 |
| QAHS | Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus | Health sciences | Gold Coast (QAHS) | Year 10 |
| Central admissions | Queensland Academies (qa.eq.edu.au) | Admissions, one portal | Brisbane / Gold Coast network | Selective application only |
Sources: Queensland Academies home; Year 7 enrolments; Year 10 enrolments; Entrance Test Policy (venues named Toowong / Kelvin Grove / Gold Coast).
Entry pathways for 2027–28
Always treat the current qa.eq.edu.au enrolment page as source of truth. Facts below are as of 14 July 2026:
| Pathway | Who applies | Campus choice | On-time window (published) | Entrance Test product |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 in 2028 | Students in Year 5 (or equivalent) before on-time close | QASMT only | Apps close 4pm Fri 21 Aug 2026; test 5–6 Sep 2026 | Edutest Ability + Achievement (~3 hours) |
| Year 7 in 2027 | Late applications (Year 5/6 windows as published) | QASMT only | Late applications listed on Year 7 page — no single on-time table | Same Edutest suite; next available sitting |
| Year 10 in 2028 (QASMT) | Students from Term 3 of Year 8 (Year 8 in 2026) | Must choose one academy | Apps close Fri 21 Aug 2026, 4pm; test Sun 6 Sep 2026 at QASMT | Edutest Ability + Achievement |
| Year 10 in 2028 (QACI / QAHS) | Same Year 8 on-time timing rule | Must choose one academy | Open day / close / test dates TBC on Year 10 page as of 14 Jul 2026 | Edutest Ability + Achievement |
| Year 10 in 2027 | Late applications available (all three campuses named) | One campus only | Late close/test dates not published — contact Admissions | Same Edutest suite; next available sitting |
On-time Year 7 2028 application fee published on the Year 7 page: $270.00 (non-refundable). Year 10 late-application fee published on the Year 10 page: $300.00 (non-refundable). Remote Edutest sittings may incur an extra Edutest fee.
Queensland Academies do not distribute individual Entrance Test results or parent reports. Selection is holistic: Entrance Test, school reports, NAPLAN and (where shortlisted) an engagement activity (Year 7) or campus interview (Year 10). Shortlisted Year 7 candidates receive a Letter of Recommendation form for the primary principal or delegate.
Entrance Test sections (published table)
From the Year 7 and Year 10 enrolment pages on qa.eq.edu.au (Edutest-facilitated Ability and Achievement):
| Aspect | Test area | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ability | Verbal reasoning | 30 min |
| Ability | Numerical reasoning | 30 min |
| Achievement | Reading comprehension | 30 min |
| Achievement | Mathematics | 30 min |
| Achievement | Written expression | 15 min |
See also the publisher overview on the EduTest parents page. HAST is a different product used by other Queensland selective pathways (for example Brisbane State High School Academic Selective Entry) — compare on HAST vs EduTest.
How to prepare (pathway checklist)
- Choose the campus first. Only one Queensland Academies application is allowed in a given year — match the specialisation (STEM, creative industries, health sciences) and travel to QASMT, QACI or QAHS before you open the portal.
- Name the entry year. Year 7 (QASMT) and Year 10 (all three) run on different calendars; 2027 late windows and 2028 on-time windows are not interchangeable.
- Build the five Edutest sections. Train Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics and Written Expression to published durations — not a single mixed mock labelled “selective”.
- Collect academic evidence early. Recent semester reports, NAPLAN where available, identity documents and any AARA / learning-support files required by the portal.
- Plan for shortlisting steps. Year 7 shortlists include an engagement activity plus principal Letter of Recommendation; Year 10 may include a campus interview with a work sample and short academic-journey statement.
- Confirm dates the week you apply. QACI/QAHS Year 10 2028 on-time cells were TBC at verification — re-read Year 10 enrolments and Year 7 enrolments.
For staged study plans and component drills, use the preparation hub — not this reference page — at Queensland Academies preparation and EduTest selective school scholarship exam. For how EduTest sits next to ACER Scholarship and HAST nationally, see Australian scholarship exams compared. NSW government timelines are a separate pathway on NSW OC & Selective timeline/caps 2027–28.
What this page does not claim
- No official cut-off scores — Queensland Academies do not publish Entrance Test cut-offs or individual results on the cited pages.
- Placement outcomes for any Braintree cohort belong on Results and outcomes, not here.
- Free-mock / practice-pack conversion keywords belong to later E08 micro-landings and existing prep spokes — not this explained reference.
Related reading
Key facts.
- Programme
- IB Middle Years (QASMT Y7–9) then IB Diploma (Y10–12)
- Selection
- Holistic merit — test + school reports + NAPLAN (+ engagement / interview)
- QASMT Y7 2028 on-time close
- 4pm Friday 21 August 2026
- QASMT Y7 2028 on-time test
- 5–6 September 2026
- Confirm always
- qa.eq.edu.au enrolment pages for the intake year
Data sources and references.
- Queensland Academies — home
Queensland Academies (Algester State High School cluster / EQ)
States three campuses across Brisbane and the Gold Coast; selective entry; only one application per calendar year; IB Diploma in senior years.
- QASMT — Year 7 enrolments
Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology
Year 7 entry for QASMT only; Entrance Test facilitated by Edutest; Ability and Achievement section table; Year 7 in 2028 on-time dates; Year 7 in 2027 late applications; application fee; no individual test results released.
- Queensland Academies — Year 10 enrolments
Queensland Academies
Year 10 entry at QACI, QAHS and QASMT; one application per Year 10 cohort year; Edutest Entrance Test section table; Year 10 in 2028 QASMT on-time dates; QACI/QAHS on-time dates marked TBC as of verification.
- Queensland Academies — Entrance Test Policy
Queensland Academies
Entrance Tests conducted by an independent testing organisation selected by Queensland Academies (currently Edutest); venues at QASMT (Toowong), QACI (Kelvin Grove) or QAHS (Gold Coast).
- EduTest — Scholarship and entrance testing (parents)
Edutest Co Pty Ltd
Official Ability and Achievement structure and section timings.
Common questions, plainly answered.
5 questions Australian parents ask most often about this topic.
Exam preparation guides.
Related guides for parents.
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