How many international secondary schools Sydney has
Sydney secondary provision works through two dominant pathways. The New South Wales Higher School Certificate, the HSC, runs across nearly every state and independent school in Years 11 and 12. The IB Diploma Programme is delivered by roughly 25 Sydney schools as an alternative pathway in the senior years, often alongside the HSC. A few schools, notably Trinity Grammar and the International Grammar School, also offer the IB Middle Years Programme across Years 7 to 10. The German and Japanese international schools provide the only standalone national-system secondary options through to the Abitur and the Japanese university entrance exams.
Across all secondary phases there are around 65 internationally relevant schools in Greater Sydney, with about 40 running a full Year 7 to Year 12 configuration. Most expats choose between an HSC pathway at a strong independent or an IB Diploma at one of the larger PYP-through-DP campuses such as International Grammar School, Pymble Ladies College, MLC or Trinity Grammar.
University outcomes for both pathways are strong. The 2025 HSC ATAR distribution had 17 Sydney schools placing more than half their cohort above ATAR 90. IB Diploma averages sat around 35 to 36 in 2024 to 2025, above the global average of 30.3. For a curriculum-by-curriculum view of Sydney see our IB hub and our British curriculum hub which covers the small but established IGCSE and A Level cluster.
Fees and the secondary tiers
Sydney secondary fees, in Australian dollars, group into three tiers. The value tier, AUD 22,000 to AUD 30,000 a year, covers Catholic and mid-market independents with international streams such as Mount St Joseph or St Catherine's College. The mid tier, AUD 30,000 to AUD 38,000, covers most of the established Year 7 to 12 schools including MLC, Pymble Ladies College, Newington College and Trinity Grammar. The premium tier, AUD 38,000 to AUD 46,000, is Cranbrook, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, Ascham and the Year 11 and 12 cohorts of the German International School.
Total cost is meaningfully higher than primary because IGCSE or HSC exam levies, IB Diploma examination fees, trips and uniform spend all expand in Years 10 to 12. International student fees, where the family is on a 500 visa rather than permanent resident, add a further 30 to 50 percent. Our Sydney fees guide walks through the loading mathematics in detail. Our fees comparison tool shows tuition by year group across cities.
Need help choosing between HSC and IB for sixth form?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three schools based on your child's year group, your home suburb, your budget and your preferred pathway.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each delivers a credible secondary pathway and serves a meaningful expatriate or internationally mobile cohort.
Trinity Grammar School in Summer Hill runs a co-educational secondary with both HSC and IB Diploma streams. Strong record in mathematics and the sciences. The Preparatory in Strathfield feeds in for boys, and girls join Year 7 from a range of partner primaries.
Newington College in Stanmore is one of the oldest Sydney independents, offering the HSC as the primary pathway with a strong record of ATAR 99 plus results. Newington runs senior boarding for interstate and international students from Year 7.
MLC School in Burwood is a girls' school running IB Diploma alongside the HSC. The IB cohort consistently averages above 36 points. Strong music, debating and STEM programmes.
International Grammar School in Ultimo is Sydney's only school running the full IB continuum from Kindergarten to Year 12. Bilingual French, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish and Mandarin streams continue into the secondary years. The closest match to a European international school in the central business district.
Where secondary families live
Older expat families in Sydney follow a slightly different residential pattern from primary parents. Eastern Suburbs, Bellevue Hill, Vaucluse, Bondi, for Cranbrook, Ascham, SCEGGS, Kambala and Moriah College. The North Shore, Killara, Lindfield, Pymble, St Ives, for Knox Grammar, Pymble Ladies, Ravenswood, Roseville College, and Abbotsleigh. The Inner West, Summer Hill, Strathfield, Burwood, for Trinity Grammar, MLC Burwood, Presbyterian Ladies, Meriden and Newington. The Hills District, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, for Knox and OLMC Parramatta drives. The Lower North Shore, Mosman, Cremorne, Neutral Bay, for Wenona, Loreto Kirribilli, North Sydney Boys and Shore.
Once children enter the senior years, families typically optimise around school commute rather than work commute. Many expats sell or rent out their first Sydney home and move closer to the chosen Year 11 school. Our cost calculator bundles school transport, fees and housing into a single total relocation budget.
Admissions calendar
The NSW academic year runs from late January to mid December. Year 7 entry is the main external intake at most Sydney secondaries, with applications opening as early as two to three years before entry for Tier 1 schools. Most mid-tier schools accept applications through the year before, with assessments in Term 2 and offers from Term 3.
Year 11 entry for the HSC or IB Diploma is more open. Many schools accept Year 11 entrants from December the year before, conditional on school report and an interview. The IB Diploma Programme assumes a strong middle years background so coordinators typically ask for two years of MYP, IGCSE or Australian Year 10 results before offering a place. For broader curriculum context across the city our best international schools in Sydney guide covers the full top-tier landscape.
Frequently asked questions
How many international secondary schools are there in Sydney?
Sydney has around 65 schools running internationally relevant secondary provision from Year 7 to Year 12. Roughly 25 deliver the IB Diploma Programme as an alternative to the HSC. The remainder offer the HSC with international student streams or a national-system pathway.
HSC or IB Diploma for Sydney sixth form?
Both are highly regarded by Australian and overseas universities. The HSC is well-recognised across Australia and offers more subject specialisation in Year 12. The IB Diploma is more portable internationally and forces a broader six subject mix including a research essay and a creativity, activity and service component.
How much do secondary schools in Sydney cost?
Annual secondary tuition ranges from about AUD 22,000 at value-tier independents to AUD 46,000 at the premium harbourside schools. Median secondary fees sit near AUD 34,000 in 2026, with international student fees adding 30 to 50 percent on top of headline tuition.
When do Sydney schools accept Year 11 transfers?
Most Sydney secondaries accept Year 11 entrants from December the year before, subject to a school report, an interview and an academic assessment. IB Diploma schools typically require evidence of a strong middle years background, equivalent to MYP, IGCSE or Australian Year 10 results.
Do Sydney schools have boarding?
Yes. Several major Sydney secondaries offer full boarding for interstate, regional and international students, including Newington College, Knox Grammar, The Scots College, SCEGGS Redlands and Pymble Ladies College. Most start boarding from Year 7 with full senior provision through Year 12.
