Australia, Sydney
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
1. Open Day and tours: Register for Open Day to visit the school and meet staff and students. A principal‑led presentation explains the curriculum and learning methods. If the event day or time is not convenient, group tours or virtual tours are available. Attending Open Day helps families understand the school environment before applying.
2. Online information and enrolment checklist: Access important information about the school online and review the checklist with the required forms to prepare the application. The online resources outline the documents needed and any deadlines. Families can request a meeting with the registrar or school management team to discuss individual circumstances if required. After reviewing, proceed to the online application.
3. Submit online application: Submit the application online. An application fee of $250 is invoiced at the end of the online application. Provide copies of passport(s) and birth certificate where applicable, and the last two school reports; upload documents to the online application. Ensure all required documents are ready before submission.
4. Approval process after submission: Following submission, you will receive an email confirming receipt and updates on the approval process. GISS reviews the application after the documents are received. The outcome will be communicated: a place may be offered, a place may be placed on the waiting list, or the application may be declined. Additional documents may be requested if needed.
5. Interview and admission test: Once all required documents are received, you will be invited to book your child's interview and, if applicable, an admission test. All Kindergarten to Year 12 students must participate in an age-appropriate interview. If the child is overseas at the time, the interview can be conducted online in English or German. A trial day may be scheduled before or after the interview.
6. Enrolment offer, contract and start information: As soon as enrolment is approved, you will receive an offer that includes the enrolment form and notice for the enrolment fee due. After the enrolment form is completed and the enrolment fee is paid, you will receive a copy of the enrolment contract and enrolment is complete. Before school starts, you will receive additional information via email and/or a parent information session to set up your child for a smooth start. The school may provide visa information for overseas students if applicable.
An assessment is conducted after the application. The school may offer a place, place the applicant on the waiting list, or decline the application.
IB Scholarship offers up to 50% tuition support for the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB Year 11 and 12). It is available to internal and external local Year 10 students with English fluency. Eligibility includes preferably two years at an Australian school, a record of high academic achievement, strong English and Maths, willingness to study in a bilingual/multilingual international environment, personal integrity, and commitment to service learning. German language knowledge is not a prerequisite. How to apply: Year 10 students currently enrolled at GISS email ibscholarship@giss.nsw.edu.au with last four school reports and Year 9 NAPLAN results, a personal statement, and an explanation of why they deserve the scholarship. Year 10 students from another school should start the GISS online application, upload birth certificates, passports, last four reports, and latest NAPLAN results, then email ibscholarship@giss.nsw.edu.au with the personal statement. Applications close on December 3, 2025.
German International School Sydney (GISS) is a private, co‑educational day school in Terrey Hills, Sydney, serving children from Preschool to Year 12 (ages 0–18). It offers three curricula: the Australian Curriculum, the German Curriculum, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Years 11–12. The school is Germany‑affiliated and part of the Deutsche Auslandsschule network. A key feature is its intensive language immersion, enabling bilingual English–German proficiency from the start, with no prior German required. The Terrey Hills campus covers about 16,200 square metres across 10 buildings and has Passivhaus classrooms (2018, 2022). Facilities include specialist science, arts and music spaces, an on‑site IB Study Centre, and a central library, plus air conditioning and BYOD from Year 7. Extracurriculars include Extend after‑school care and a GISS Football Academy with Borussia Dortmund; an Exchange Program with Germany; and German language support with CLIL. The school emphasises development and prepares students for life after school.