Almost 75,000 students across New South Wales are beginning their 2026 Higher School Certificate (HSC) written examinations as schools reopen for Term 4, with students at nine public schools also returning to upgraded learning facilities.
According to a media release issued by NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car on 13 October, the HSC examination period began at 9:50 am with English Paper 1. The schedule includes 123 examinations across 800 exam centres throughout the state over the next four weeks.
The examination period is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, 5 November, with Physics. Students are expected to receive their HSC results on 16 December, marking a significant milestone for Year 12 students preparing for their next steps in education, training or employment.
The start of the examinations was marked at Sir Joseph Banks High School in south-west Sydney, where a major upgrade has delivered new classrooms and additional facilities. The school is among nine public schools welcoming students to newly upgraded buildings at the beginning of the term.
The upgrade at Sir Joseph Banks High School is its first major redevelopment in 40 years. The project has delivered 16 new classrooms, a new school hall, a canteen, a sports court and a covered outdoor learning area. The improvements are intended to provide students and staff with more contemporary spaces for learning and school activities.
Across the nine schools, almost 7,000 students are beginning Term 4 in upgraded facilities. The projects have delivered more than 100 new permanent classrooms, according to the NSW Government’s announcement.
The schools opening upgraded facilities this term are Austral Public School, Cammeray Public School, Denison College of Secondary Education’s Kelso High Campus, Greenway Park Public School, Jerrabomberra High School, Leppington Public School, Orana Heights Public School, Rouse Hill High School and Sir Joseph Banks High School.
In addition to the school upgrades, 14 public schools are opening newly built public preschools co-located on school sites at the start of Term 4. The developments form part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver 100 new public preschools by early 2027.
Prue Car wished HSC students well as they began their examinations, encouraging them to demonstrate what they had learned throughout their senior school years. She also urged students to prioritise their wellbeing, get sufficient rest and recognise the support provided by their teachers.
Car said the opening of upgraded school facilities was another important development for thousands of students returning from the school holidays. She linked the projects to the government’s broader public school infrastructure investment and its stated commitment to providing quality educational facilities across NSW.
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) chief executive Paul Martin said delivering the HSC examinations fairly, securely and consistently was the authority’s main priority. He acknowledged the work of schools, examination supervisors, presiding officers, markers and NESA staff in coordinating the statewide examination period.
Martin also reminded students that the HSC was one stage in a much longer journey, encouraging them to take pride in their achievements as they entered the final phase of secondary school.
East Hills MP Kylie Wilkinson welcomed the new facilities at Sir Joseph Banks High School, while acting principal Christina Mateus said the classrooms would provide flexible environments for collaboration, problem-solving and deeper engagement with learning.
The beginning of Term 4 therefore brings two significant developments for NSW public education: the start of the HSC written examinations for thousands of students and the opening of upgraded facilities designed to support learning across several school communities.
Students and families can consult the NSW Education Standards Authority website for the 2026 HSC written examination timetable and official examination information.
