OC eligibility: birth dates, year level and what age means

The year level

An opportunity class is a two-year program for Years 5 and 6. Families apply at the end of Year 3 or the start of Year 4, the child sits the test during Year 4, and a successful child starts the class in Year 5 the following year. It is not possible to apply for Year 6 only (NSW Department of Education, checked 7 October 2026).

If you are looking at a younger child, the application is not yet open to you. If your child would already be in Year 5 when the test is sat, the Department says they can only be considered in rare cases (for example repeating a year), decided by the selection committee, with a full explanation and supporting documents including from the principal. Selective high schools are a separate test. See OC versus Selective.

Birth dates and how age works

The Department does not go by school year alone. It uses a birth-date range for each entry year. For 2027 entry, the range is 1 January 2016 to 31 July 2017. In practice, the Department says this is usually children aged from 9 years 5 months to 11 years at the start of Year 5.

For 2028 entry, the range has not been published. Because the Department's range is set by age at the start of Year 5 (9 years 5 months to 11 years), it is expected to shift forward by one year, to 1 January 2017 to 31 July 2018. That is an expectation only. The checker on this page shows both cycles and marks which is confirmed and which is expected.

Using the checker

The checker lets you enter a birth date and shows which cycle, if any, it falls into. A few things to know:

• The birth date you type stays in your browser: it is not sent to us or saved.
• It is a guide, not a decision. Only the Department decides eligibility.
• For 2028 entry, it uses the expected range, and says so.

What if a date is outside the range

The Department says that children outside the usual range are considered by a selection committee. Explain the reasons in your application. To skip a year (Year 3 to Year 5) you must also provide evidence of support from the school principal. If this might apply to you, read the Department's page first, and contact the Selective Education Team at set@det.nsw.edu.au or on 1300 880 367 if you are unsure.

If you have moved interstate or from overseas

Families coming from another state or country can apply. The family must be living in NSW by the start of the entry year, and families who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents (or New Zealand citizens) must also meet the Department's citizenship or visa conditions before an offer can be made. A family that expects to meet the conditions before initial offers are released may still apply and sit the test. Check the Department's page. The Department says that from 2026 tests are held only in NSW. If your move is uncertain, it is worth finding out the dates and practicalities before you invest effort in the application.

Sibling applications

Each sibling must qualify on merit. If you have a child in an opportunity class already, that does not guarantee a place for a younger child. If you have twins, each child applies, and each is placed on their own result.

After you confirm eligibility

Eligibility is only the start. The next step is to look at the schools, work out which classes are realistic to travel to, and note the key dates. When you are ready to apply, our how to apply guide walks through the steps, and the Department's application site is the only place to submit.

Department of Education wording on this page is quoted or adapted briefly under CC BY 4.0. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2023. Licence: CC BY 4.0. ExamExplained has changed and summarised the text and is not endorsed by the Department.