NSW HSC Exams Begin as Students Return for Term 4

Almost 75,000 students across New South Wales have begun their 2026 Higher School Certificate written exams as schools return for Term 4.

The exam period started on 13 October with English Paper 1 and will run until 5 November, with 123 written exams taking place across around 800 exam centres. Students are due to receive their HSC results on 16 December.

New Facilities Open at Nine Schools

At the same time, students at nine public schools have returned to newly completed or upgraded facilities.

Around 7,000 students will benefit from the latest works, which include more than 100 new permanent classrooms across schools in Sydney and regional NSW.

Schools opening new facilities this term include Austral Public School, Cammeray Public School, Jerrabomberra High School, Rouse Hill High School and Sir Joseph Banks High School, among others.

Major Upgrade at Sir Joseph Banks High School

At Sir Joseph Banks High School in south-west Sydney, a major redevelopment has delivered 16 new classrooms, as well as a new hall, canteen, sports court and covered outdoor learning area.

The project also includes upgraded support learning spaces and the removal of demountable classrooms.

The school is one of several across NSW where new facilities have opened in time for Term 4.

HSC Exams Continue for Four Weeks

The 2026 written exam period runs over four weeks, with Physics scheduled as the final exam on 5 November.

NESA has advised students to check their personalised timetables carefully and arrive ahead of the listed start time for seating and exam instructions.