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Want get your child a scholarship to their dream school? Here’s everything you need to know about private school scholarships and scholarship exams!
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Private school scholarships are an excellent opportunity for your child as they enter high school. Scholarships for private schools help ease the financial costs and open doors to unique academic, social, and developmental opportunities.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to get a scholarship to private schools in Australia, including who can apply, the types of scholarships available, and how the selection process works!
Table of contents:
A private school scholarship is financial help offered to students by private schools.
Scholarships can be based on academic achievement, talent (like music or sport), leadership, or financial need. Some cover full tuition, while others offer partial support. Many also help with extras like books, uniforms, or extracurricular activities.
The goal? To bring in capable students from different backgrounds and give them the best chance to succeed.
Most private school scholarships are open to students in Year 5 or Year 6 who are getting ready to start high school. Eligibility criteria vary by school, but you will usually need to show:
Make sure to check each school’s requirements, as some may have extra criteria or target students from specific regions or backgrounds.
Private schools offer many different scholarships based on strengths and interests. Below is an overview of the common types, their purpose, and application requirements.
*Remember to check each school’s eligibility criteria as they vary.
| Type of scholarship | Purpose | Common application requirements |
| Academic scholarships | For students with strong academic abilities, critical thinking, and a love of learning. Your child will need strong results in scholarship exams. | Strong grades, high results in scholarship exams, personal statement. |
| Music scholarships | For students with exceptional musical talent. Your child will need to show their skills through an audition and past achievements, such as competition awards or graded music exams. | Audition, music portfolio, recommendation from a music teacher. |
| Sports scholarships | For students with outstanding athletic abilities. These offer opportunities to grow their skills in a competitive environment. | Sports trials, record of achievements, coach’s recommendation. |
| General excellence scholarships | For well-rounded students excelling in academics, arts, sports, and leadership. These scholarships recognise multi-talented children who contribute to their community. | Academic record, extracurriculars, leadership activities, personal statement. |
| Financial assistance or equity scholarships | For students from families needing financial support. These scholarships ensure capable students can access high-quality education. | Financial documents, academic records, personal statement. |
Yes, scholarships help reduce private education costs, but they also offer many other valuable opportunities for your child. Such benefits include:
Most academic scholarships require students to sit for an exam. They test:
Scholarship exams for private schools are often conducted by external organisations like ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) or EduTest. These standardised assessments are designed to identify students with exceptional academic potential.
For music or sports scholarships, students may need to participate in auditions, interviews, or practical trials instead of traditional exams.
Here’s a typical timeline of the private school scholarship selection process:
| Stage | Timeline | Description |
| Application submission | Applications open: July to October (2 years before entry, Year 5)
Applications close: January to March (the year before entry, Year 6) | Complete an application form, including academic transcripts, references, and supporting documents. |
| Exam or audition | January to March (the year before entry, Year 6) | Students take tests or participate in auditions or trials to demonstrate their abilities. Exams often test mathematics, reading, writing, and reasoning skills. |
| Shortlisting | March to April (Year 6) | Schools review applications and test results to shortlist candidates based on their performance and alignment with the scholarship criteria. |
| Interviews | April to May (Year 6) | Shortlisted students and their families attend interview to assess their alignment with the school’s values, goals, and expectations. |
| Final decision | May to June (Year 6) | Successful applicants are notified, and scholarship offers are extended. This gives families enough time to make enrolment decisions. |
*Application timelines vary by school please check individual school requirements.
Securing a private school scholarship requires careful preparation and strategy.
Here are some tips and steps to follow:
4. Craft a strong application
Both private school scholarships and selective school tests assess students’ abilities. But, they have different purposes, processes, and outcomes. Here’s how they compare:
Private school scholarship tests vs Selective school tests
| Feature | Private school scholarship test | Selective school tests |
| Purpose | Aim to attract talented students to independent schools, often offering financial aid. | Used to determine admission to government-funded selective schools. |
| Assessment areas | Usually Maths, reading comprehension, writing, and reasoning, but the focus may vary by school. | Standardised assessments focusing on Maths, reading, writing, and thinking skills. |
| Opportunities | Offer access to advanced facilities, networking opportunities, and extracurricular activities. | Provide a competitive academic environment without the cost of tuition. |
| Competition | Competitive, but the level of competition varies between schools. | Extremely competitive, with thousands of students competing for limited spots. |
Learn about HAST and how to boost your application! 
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To help make preparing for private school scholarship exams feel less overwhelming, consider our Primary Classes. They can equip your child with the skills and confidence they need to excel in scholarship exams. Here’s how Matrix can help:
Private school scholarships are an incredible opportunity for your child to access high-quality education while building a strong foundation for their future. Whether your child excels in academics, music, sports, or other areas, there’s likely a scholarship program that aligns with their strengths and aspirations
Written by Matrix Education
Matrix is Sydney's No.1 High School Tuition provider. Come read our blog regularly for study hacks, subject breakdowns, and all the other academic insights you need.
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