Arts program selection

Use this information to understand the requirements for selection into a Gifted and Talented arts program.

To be considered for an arts program place, your child must sit the Academic Selective Entrance Test (ASET)*.

Each program also has its own selection process, which may include a workshop, audition, interview or a combination of these. If your child applies for multiple arts programs, they will receive individual invitations for each. Attending an interview does not guarantee an offer of placement.

* unless your child is approved for an arts-only ASET exemption

Dance, drama and music theatre programs

Workshops

Your child will be invited to a workshop. Workshops may include:

• group ice breakers
• flexibility exercises
• creative movement activities
• genre-specific technique – for example, contemporary or ballet
• voice and monologue presentations – drama and music theatre.

Year 6 students 

If your child is successful in the workshop, they will be invited to a callback workshop. If successful in the callback workshop they will be invited to an interview.

Older year students

If your child is successful in the workshop will be invited to an interview.

Dance, drama and music theatre interviews

Interviews will take place in Term 2. If successful, your child will be invited to the interview directly by the school early in Term 2.

If they do not progress to the interview stage, they will be advised before interview invitations are sent.

Scores are based on:

• workshop or audition and possible callback (65%)
• ASET Test (20%)
• interview (15%) (selected students only).

Media arts program

Workshops

Your child will be invited to a workshop. The workshop may include communicating ideas through written and visual imagery, story creation and analysing media. 

Year 6 students 

If your child is successful in the workshop, they will be invited to a callback workshop. If they are successful in the callback workshop, they will be invited to an interview.

Older year students

If your child is successful in the workshop, they will be invited to an interview.

Media Arts interview

Interviews will take place in Term 2. If successful, your child will be invited to the interview directly by the school early in Term 2.

If they do not progress to the interview stage, they will be advised before interview invitations are sent.

Scores are based on:

• Workshop or audition and possible callback (65%)
• ASET Test (20%)
• Interview (15%) (selected students only)

Visual arts program

Your child will be invited to a workshop. If they have more than one visual arts school preference, it will be held at their highest visual arts school. Your child only needs to attend one workshop. The workshop may include a drawing, image analysis or design challenge task.

Visual arts interview

If your child is successful in the workshop, they will progress to an interview. This interview includes a portfolio component. 

If your child does not progress to the interview stage, they will be advised before interview invitations are sent.

Scores are based on:

• workshop (60%)
• ASET test (20%)
• interview (20%) (selected students only)

Music program

The music program has a few different steps to the process:

• recorded audition on USB (2 contrasting pieces – 1 or 2 instruments)
• final audition
• aural testing and interview.

Applicants who progress to the final stage are ranked by instrument.

Unsuccessful Year 6 applicants may have the opportunity to reaudition for music in Term 3.

Music interview

Interviews are held at the program school. 

If your child does not progress to the interview stage, they will be advised before interview invitations are sent.

Schools send interview invitations and information in late May or early June.