A new plan to reserve more than 800 places at selective schools for disadvantaged students will improve equity of access and level the playing field, NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell says.
A 2018 review by the NSW Department of Education found there were fewer applications from students from low socio-economic backgrounds, Aboriginal students, those with a disability and students from rural and remote areas.
Ms Mitchell said 20 per cent, or about 850 places, would be set aside for these students.
"I think it's about recognising that we have to address some of the unintended barriers that some of these children have to accessing these schools," she said.
"And that making sure that every student who gains a placement absolutely has high potential and academic ability.
"But also recognises that sometimes when you're coming from a more tough background it can be a bit harder for you to access these places and we want to help level that playing field."
The review also revealed the selection system, designed in 1991 for 12 selective high schools, was outdated and didn't reflect the "more diverse range of students and schools spread more widely throughout the state".
These places will be available to disadvantaged students who sat the Selective High School Placement Test in March for the 2023 academic year.
It will also apply to opportunity classes which cater to gifted year 5 and year 6 students.
There are currently 48 selective high schools in NSW and 4,248 places will be available from next year for students entering year 7.
Any unfilled positions will be offered to students who score high on the entrance exam.
Changes were made to the test last year after the review found it favoured students who could afford tutoring.
"What we've done with the changes to the test is made it so that it's much more difficult for people to predict what will be in it," Ms Mitchell said.
"So that you can't have anybody getting an unfair advantage by getting extra tuition or help."
Penrith Selective High School in Western Sydney has more than 900 students. Thirty places will be reserved for those from the four equity groups.
Principal Mark Long, who was involved in the policy development, said the scheme would see a broadening of students attending his school.
"I'm really happy that all of the work by so many people over a long period of time is now in policy and will allow schools, and school leaders and school communities, to really serve the broader communities in NSW," he said.
The school's most recent annual report states that about 90 per cent of students are from a non-English speaking background.
It's also located in an area with a large proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, according to the latest Census data, but only four students are Aboriginal.
Mr Long acknowledged the low number but said they were trying to change it.
"We have students coming from 60 to 65 different primary schools every year," he said.
"So reaching out and connecting with families, really ensuring that our Aboriginal students that are already at the school are able to access additional learning opportunities."
He also said the school had worked with the community to create initiatives to enrich learning experiences and celebrate culture.
"The work around the development and construction of a yarning circle that was led by the school with student input, but also with input from one of our recent graduates who is a very successful young Aboriginal woman."
NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns acknowledged the difficulty for students to get into selective schools but was "cautiously optimistic" about the government's changes.
"We'll have a look closely at how they're being implemented. We'd like to see more details," he said.
He criticised the state government for failing to deliver a new selective school for south-western Sydney and $1.2 billion in capital works infrastructure for public education.
"If you don't build the schools, it doesn't matter what announcement you make and what media releases you issue," he said.
"You're never going to get the rubber hit the road and a better educational attainment for the students of NSW."
