How do I find my local ‘in-area’ school?
For primary school (Kinder to Year 6) – use the intake area map on the Find Your Local Primary School webpage.
For high school (Years 7 to 10) – find the local high school for your child at the Find Your Local High School webpage.
If your child is starting high school (Years 7 to 10) and did not complete Year 6 at a Tasmanian Government primary school, there are details on how to find your local high school on the FAQs About Local School Areas webpage.
For Years 11 and 12 – students can enrol at any Tasmanian Government school that offers Years 11 and 12 (including Colleges).
Which schools accept out-of-area enrolments?
DECYP considers the amount of physical space available for student learning when determining a school’s capacity. You can check which schools are at-capacity or nearing-capacity at the At-Capacity Schools webpage.
| Level of capacity | Ability to take out-of-area enrolments |
|---|---|
| School is at capacity | Cannot accept any applications for out-of-area enrolment unless permitted by Learning Services to do so (for example if there is capacity in a particular class or year level, and accepting these enrolments won’t impact on the intake high school). If applications are permitted, they will be reviewed and prioritised by the school and out-of-area placement is not guaranteed. |
| School is nearing-capacity | Can only accept limited numbers of out-of-area enrolments. For example, they might only be able to accept out-of-area enrolments in some year groups. The school will review and prioritise all applications. Out-of-area placement is not guaranteed. |
| School has capacity | Can accept applications for out-of-area enrolments. The school will review and prioritise all applications. Out-of-area placement is not guaranteed. |
From 2025, some schools may have an Enrolment Management Plan which will be shared publicly on the Department’s At-Capacity Schools webpage. An Enrolment Management Plan will outline any limitations or restrictions to out-of-area enrolments.
Do I meet the criteria for out-of-area enrolment?
To apply for out-of-area enrolment, you must meet one of the following criteria and provide the required evidence for that criteria.
| Selection Criteria | Evidence required (at least ONE of these documents) |
|---|---|
| The student does not have access to formal or informal out-of-school care at their in-area school. If the student needs access to formal out-of-school care (via an Outside School Hours Care provider), the parent must apply for out-of-area enrolment at the next closest school by travel time. | Letter/email from the in-area principal or their delegate confirming that the school does not have formal out-of-school care. Letter from the informal out-of-school care provider (e.g. extended family). |
| The school is the closest State school to the parent’s place of work or study. In cases where the closest State school is at-capacity, parents must apply at the next closest State school to their place of work or study. | Payslip showing employer’s address. Letter from employer on company letterhead showing employer’s address. Student ID Card showing location of study. Letter from place of study with official letterhead showing location of study. |
| Enrolment at the out-of-area school will support student learning and/or wellbeing. Acceptable reasons: The out-of-area school offers a learning program that the student wants to engage in that is not available at the in-area school (e.g. agriculture program at a District School). A student would benefit from a smaller school community. A high school student would benefit from access to a greater variety of subjects at a larger school. Other reasons can be considered at the Receiving Principal’s discretion in consultation with the Director Operations or the Student Support Coordinator. | Letter/email from an allied health professional (e.g. social worker, psychologist) or the student’s current principal (or their delegate) stating that enrolling at the out-of-area school will support the student’s learning or wellbeing. Written statement from the student (where appropriate given the age and understanding of the student). |
| The student has a 50/50 care arrangement and both parents/guardians are seeking a ‘middle-ground’ school. | Current court orders or a signed Parenting Agreement. OR Proof of address from both parents, in accordance with proof of address requirements for enrolment. |
| An out-of-area school is geographically closer to the student’s home, making it easier for the student to travel to and from school. | Proof of address, in accordance with proof of address requirements for enrolment. |
How do I apply for out-of-area enrolment?
First you should contact the school to check if the school is accepting applications for out-of-area enrolment, and check that you meet the criteria to apply. You can then ask the school for an Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
Once you’ve completed the EOI form, return it to the school with the required evidence.
If you are having difficulty providing the required evidence, please speak to the school where you are applying for out-of-area enrolment.
What evidence do I need to supply to support my application?
The evidence that is required under each criterion is set out in the table provided in the FAQ ‘Do I meet the criteria for out-of-area enrolment?’
If you are having difficulty providing the required evidence, please speak to the school where you are applying for out-of-area enrolment.
When can I apply for out-of-area enrolment?
You can apply for out-of-area enrolment up to 12 months before the intended enrolment start date.
You can apply for out-of-area enrolment to start at the beginning of the next school year, or at any time during the school year.
How will I know if the school has received my application?
The school will send you a letter of receipt within seven working days of receiving your application.
If you have not supplied the required evidence, the school will contact you within seven working days to request any more evidence that they need.
How do school principals make decisions on applications for out-of-area enrolment?
Principals use selection criteria, which are set by DECYP, to determine whether they can accept an application for out-of-area enrolment. Principals also check whether you have supplied the required evidence.
Schools sometimes receive more applications for out-of-area enrolment than they are able to accommodate. This means that even if you meet the selection criteria and provide the required evidence, your application may not be successful.
You can find out more about how principals make decisions on applications for out-of-area enrolment in the Out-of-Area Enrolment Procedure.
When will I know if my application has been accepted?
If you have applied for out-of-area enrolment for the next school year, the school will send you a letter in Week 8 of Term Three with a decision on whether your application has been accepted.
If you have applied for out-of-area enrolment for the current school year, the school will send you a letter within seven working days of receiving your application with a decision on whether your application has been accepted.
Can I request a review of the decision if my application is unsuccessful?
You can request a review of an out-of-area enrolment decision if you think it was not made in line with the Out-of-Area Enrolment Procedure. Applications for review of an out-of-area enrolment decision must be submitted within 28 days of receiving the decision from the school using the Review of Out-of-Area Enrolment Decision Form and forwarded to Learning Services (marked Attention – Director Operations/ Operations Manager):
Learning Services
Email: Learning.Services@decyp.tas.gov.au
Launceston Office: (03) 6777 2440
Devonport Office: (03) 6478 4329
Hobart Office: (03) 6165 6466
Who do I contact for more information or for help to apply for out-of-area enrolment?
You can visit the Department’s Find Your Local School landing page or read the Out-of-Area Enrolment Procedure for further information.
You can also contact the school where you are interested in applying for out-of-area enrolment. School contact details are available in the school directory.
If you are still needing further information or support, please contact Learning Services in your region.
Learning Services
Email: Learning.Services@decyp.tas.gov.au
Launceston Office: (03) 6777 2440
Devonport Office: (03) 6478 4329
Hobart Office: (03) 6165 6466