Hills Grammar School Sydney: 2026 Admissions, Fees & HSC Guide

Hills Grammar School admissions are among the most searched private-school topics in Sydney's Hills District — especially for families comparing Kenthurst independents after events like the Hills Schools Expo. Unlike NSW selective high schools such as Baulkham Hills High School, Hills Grammar does not use academic entrance exams; places are offered through application, waitlist, interview, and availability.

This guide explains Hills Grammar School fees for 2026, entry years, international-student rules, HSC outcomes, and practical timelines — using information published by the school and NSW/ national education sources. Always confirm current figures on the official Hills Grammar enrolments page before applying.

Hills Grammar School Overview: Kenthurst, Sydney

Hills Grammar School (commonly called The Hills Grammar School) is an independent, non-denominational, co-educational school on a large campus at 43 Kenthurst Road, Kenthurst NSW 2156. The school educates students from Pre-Kindergarten (ECEC) through Year 12.

Key facts published by the school:

• Founded: 1982
• Policy: Non-selective — no entrance tests
• Class sizes: Junior School capped at 80 students per year group; Senior School capped at 120 per year group
• Co-ed balance: Equal places for boys and girls
• CRICOS Provider No: 02260G (registered for overseas students)
• Enrolments phone: +61 2 9654 2111

The school describes its intake as comprehensive and open to students regardless of cultural, socio-economic, or religious background, with priority for siblings and alumni families.

Hills Grammar School Admissions Process (2026)

Hills Grammar School admissions follow a four-step process for Kindergarten to Year 12: Application → Waitlist → Documentation & Interview → Offer of Enrolment.

Main entry points and waitlists

The school's primary intake years are Early Childhood (ECEC), Kindergarten, and Year 7. These year groups carry the longest waitlists. For Year 7, the school advises families to apply at least three years before the desired start date.

Domestic application steps

1. Submit application via the online Enrolment Application Form
2. Pay application fee: AUD $275 (AUD $220 for each additional sibling); alumni children are exempt
3. Join the formal waitlist for the requested year and start year
4. Two years before entry: complete Student Information Form, school reports, NAPLAN (if applicable), references, immunisation records, and attend a Head of School interview
5. Accept offer: pay non-refundable enrolment fee of AUD $2,500 (Year 11 commencement may be AUD $1,500 per fee schedule) to secure the place

International student admissions (Subclass 500)

Overseas students apply via the International Students Application Form. Required documents typically include passport, translated school reports, English proficiency results (ISTART Online or AEAS), character references, and a handwritten essay. Interviews may be conducted via Skype or WeChat.

If offered a place, international families usually pay:

• Non-refundable enrolment fee: AUD $2,500
• Refundable enrolment deposit: AUD $6,000
• First term's tuition before Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is issued

International students must also:

• Hold valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the visa period
• Live with a parent for the duration of enrolment
• Appoint a Student Advocate in Australia for school communication

Hills Grammar School Fees 2026 (International Scale)

Hills Grammar publishes a separate 2026 International Fee Schedule for overseas students (Kindergarten–Year 12). Domestic families should use the school's Kindergarten–Year 12 Fee Schedule on the official fees page — amounts differ from the international scale.

Year group	Annual tuition (international)	Compulsory activity levy	Approx. termly instalment
Kindergarten–Year 2	AUD $31,370	AUD $795	AUD $8,041
Year 3–Year 6	AUD $33,530	AUD $1,125	AUD $8,664
Year 7–Year 8	AUD $44,990	AUD $1,410	AUD $11,600
Year 9–Year 10	AUD $46,570	AUD $1,410	AUD $11,995
Year 11–Year 12	AUD $48,540	AUD $1,410	AUD $12,488

Other international fees (2026 schedule):

• Application fee: AUD $275 (non-refundable)
• Enrolment fee: AUD $2,500 (non-refundable)
• Enrolment deposit: AUD $6,000 (refundable)
• Annual payment discount: 2.5% for upfront annual payment in January
• Sibling discounts: Available for 3rd, 4th and subsequent children enrolled concurrently (per school fee policy)

Uniforms, camps, technology levies, and co-curricular costs are additional. Budget 8–15% above headline tuition for a realistic total cost of attendance.

Hills Grammar School HSC Results and Academic Profile

For parents weighing Hills Grammar School admissions, HSC outcomes are a core decision factor. The school published the following 2025 HSC results:

• Median ATAR: 80 (seventh consecutive year at or above 80)
• Distinguished Achievers: 31 students with one or more Band 6 (90%+) results
• Band 6 results: 64 across the cohort
• ATAR above 90: 16 students
• Band 5 & 6 combined: 252 results (56% of all HSC exam attempts scored 80%+)
• Extension courses: More than 50% of students completed at least one HSC extension course
• Highest ATAR 2025: 97.35

Hills Grammar also highlights strong creative and technical talent through HSC Showcase nominations in Drama, Music, and Design & Technology.

NAPLAN and ICSEA context

For NAPLAN and socio-educational context, use ACARA's MySchool website for the school's latest domain means, proficiency bands, and student gain data. Third-party aggregators report an ICSEA value around 1164 (well above the national benchmark of 1000), indicating a high-advantage school community — but MySchool remains the authoritative source for year-on-year comparison.

Hills Grammar School vs Selective Schools in the Hills District

Families in the Hills District often compare Hills Grammar with selective government schools. The difference is structural:

Factor	Hills Grammar School	NSW Selective High Schools
Entry	Application + waitlist + interview; no entrance test	Competitive Selective High School Placement Test
Fees	Private tuition (see fee schedules)	No tuition for government selective schools (minimal levies)
Class size	Capped year groups (80 junior / 120 senior)	Larger cohorts; varies by school
Curriculum	NSW curriculum + broad HSC electives & extensions	NSW curriculum; highly academic cohort

Hills Grammar suits families seeking a non-selective private pathway with co-curricular breadth, campus facilities, and consistent ATAR outcomes — without exam-based selective entry.

When to Apply: Hills Grammar School Timeline for Parents

• Year 7 target entry: Apply at least 3 years early (e.g., apply in Year 4 for Year 7 start)
• Kindergarten entry: Apply as early as possible; waitlists are competitive
• Two years before entry: Documentation and interview round begins
• Mid-year transfers: Only if a place becomes available — year groups are capped
• International students: Allow extra time for English testing, CoE, visa, and OSHC

Attending the Hills Schools Expo or a campus tour before applying helps families ask direct questions about waitlist length, fees, and co-curricular fit.

Co-curricular Programs and Campus Strengths

Hills Grammar promotes a broad education beyond ATAR rankings. Published school features include:

• 53.4-acre Kenthurst campus with ongoing facilities investment
• Learning Enrichment Program for extension and support
• Wide HSC subject choice including extension courses
• Strong performing arts pipeline (ENCORE, ONSTAGE, SHAPE nominations in 2025)
• Hypatia accelerated mathematics pathway
• Student wellbeing and inclusive culture as stated school priorities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Hills Grammar School selective?
No. Hills Grammar is explicitly non-selective and does not require entrance tests. Admission is based on application, waitlist position, interview, and place availability.

What are the main Hills Grammar School entry years?
The strongest intake points are ECEC, Kindergarten, and Year 7. Year 7 waitlists are especially competitive; the school recommends applying about three years ahead.

How much are Hills Grammar School fees in 2026 for international students?
International annual tuition ranges from AUD $31,370 (Kindergarten–Year 2) to AUD $48,540 (Years 11–12), plus compulsory activity levies and one-off application, enrolment, and deposit fees. Domestic fees are listed separately on the school's fee schedule.

What HSC results did Hills Grammar achieve in 2025?
The school reported a median ATAR of 80, 31 Distinguished Achievers, 64 Band 6 results, and 16 students with ATARs above 90.

Does Hills Grammar accept international students?
Yes. The school is a registered CRICOS provider (02260G) and accepts Subclass 500 student visa holders who meet English, health cover, parental residency, and documentation requirements.

Can my child transfer to Hills Grammar mid-year?
Only if a vacancy opens in that year group. Junior years are capped at 80 students and senior years at 120, so mid-year entry is limited.

Is there a sibling discount on Hills Grammar School fees?
Yes. Sibling discounts apply to the third, fourth, and subsequent children enrolled at the same time, per the school's published fee policy.

How does Hills Grammar compare to Baulkham Hills High School?
Baulkham Hills is a top NSW selective government school with exam-based entry and no private tuition. Hills Grammar is a fee-paying independent school with interview-based admission and a reported median ATAR of 80.

Final Thoughts: Is Hills Grammar School Right for Your Family?

Hills Grammar School admissions reward early planning — especially for Kindergarten and Year 7. The school offers a non-selective private pathway in the Hills District with published HSC strength (median ATAR 80), CRICOS registration for international families, and a broad co-curricular culture.

Before you apply, download the current fee schedule, book a campus tour, and compare Hills Grammar against selective and other independent options in the region. Education choices are personal; the right school is the one that matches your child's learning style, your budget, and your family's long-term goals.

Editorial note: Fee figures and admissions steps are based on Hills Grammar School's published 2026 international fee schedule and enrolment pages (verified May 2026). Policies and fees change annually — confirm directly with the Enrolments Office at +61 2 9654 2111 before submitting an application.