There are THREE pathways for entry to Cairns State High School 2026 (and two for 2025 enrolments)
1. Programs of Excellence (2026 Year 7 only)
The POE expression of interest is closed. Auditions, trials and testing have been completed and enrolment through this process has been finalized.
In addition we are not able to offer any positions in Year 8-11 COE programs for 2026.
The school is working at capacity.
2. Enrolling in 7-12 as an in-catchment applicant
- 2025 enrolments are welcome at any time.
- 2026 commencement Year 7 and are currently residing in catchment and will continue to do so - submit Term 2, 2025
- 2026 commencement Years 8-12 in-catchment applications will be accepted from Term 3, 2025 and reviewed regularly.
Prospective students who live within our catchment are entitled to a position in the school, there are several steps to undertake which provide the school with the necessary evidence to determine proof of residential address.
Applicants must supply documentary evidence which satisfies the Executive Principal that the address provided is the main place of residence, has been and is likely to remain so.
- Applications received before the student and their family have actually relocated to either the Cairns area and/or have taken up residence at the property noted on the Application for student enrolment form cannot be accepted. Only applications which have submitted all the documentary evidence as listed within the website can be processed.
To apply, please fully complete and submit the following to the Principal for consideration:
- The Enrolment Application Form (see link to right)
- Three Proofs of residential address documents certified by a Justice of the Peace
- Certified copy of current lease agreement or most recent Rates Notice or Settlement Statement if newly purchased
- Certified copy of most recent electricity invoice or printed copy of Ergon account welcome email if recently moved.
- Local Area Statutory declaration (see link on right)
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Copy of Australian Citizenship certificate (if applicable)
- Copy of Visa Grant Notices (not Bridging VISA) and Passports of student and parent (if residing under visa conditions)
- Copy of documents regarding medical and/or learning/disability support requirements (if applicable)
- Copy of Court Orders (if applicable)
- Copy of most recent report card (All applicants)
- NAPLAN (All applicants for Year 7)
Please submit the enrolment application form and relevant supporting documents as a PDF attachment to enrolments@cairnsshs.eq.edu.au or in person to Reception located on the corner of Sheridan and Upward Streets.
There is no fee with this category of application.
If you currently have a child enrolled at Cairns State High School as an in-catchment student, any subsequent children from your family are entitled to enrol under the sibling priority category. This entitlement remains valid regardless of whether your residential address has since changed and is now located outside of the school's catchment area. Please note that this is subject to updates made to the Enrolment Management Plan (refer to the EMP link on the right).
3. Applying 7-12 and living outside catchment
Students who live outside the Cairns State High School catchment (refer catchment map link) are unfortunately not able to be automatically offered enrolment in the school. We are currently not able to accept out of catchment enrolments for 2025.This is due to the limited capacity and the requirement to prioritise enrolments from families residing within the catchment area.
- Should there be sufficient capacity to bring in additional students, they are offered placement based on the order of their application to the school. Parents/Carers will be contacted should a position arise.
- Applications received before the student and their family have actually relocated to either the Cairns area and/or have taken up residence at the property noted on the Application for student enrolment form cannot be accepted. Only applications which have submitted all the documentary evidence as listed within the website can be processed.
To apply, please fully complete and submit the following to the Executive Principal for consideration:
- The enrolment application form
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Copy of Australian Citizenship certificate (if applicable)
- Copy of Visa Grant Notices (not Bridging VISA) and Passports of student and parent (if residing under visa conditions)
- A student hand written statement outlining reason for applying or special circumstances which should be considered by the Executive Principal, Cairns State High School (max. 200 words)
- Copy of documents regarding medical and/or learning/disability support requirements (if applicable)
- Copy of Court Orders (if applicable)
- Copy of most recent report card (All applicants)
- NAPLAN (All applicants for Year 7)
Please submit the enrolment application form and relevant supporting documents as a PDF attachment to enrolments@cairnsshs.eq.edu.au or in person to Reception located on the corner of Sheridan and Upward Streets.
There is no fee with this category of application.
If you think there are reasons why the Executive Principal should consider your enrolment application, please submit a written statement with the requested documentation in addition to the student statement as outline above.
Notification of outcome - applying current year
Parent/carer 1 of successful applicants will be contacted and an enrolment interview with the Deputy Principal organised to set up the student's commencement at Cairns State High School.
* Please note Interstate and non-state school enrolments: In accordance with section 387(3) of the Education (General Provisions) Act
2006 (Qld), the Principal may formally request a transfer note and copies of any
documents mentioned in the transfer note from your previous OR current school.
Next Steps before interview
* Complete the Parent Survey
* Student completes the Welcome & Onboarding survey
* Review the New Enrolment page
Parent/carer 1 of unsuccessful applicants will be advised via email advising the application has been unsuccessful.
Please check the 'Junk' folder within your emails as correspondence can, at times, be redirected there by your server.