Tasmania’s most overcrowded government school will introduce a new intake area for the 2027 school year as the state’s education department moves to manage surging enrolments at Hobart College.
The year 11-12 school at Mount Nelson recorded 1,459 students at the start of 2026, equating to 1,414.6 full-time students against an estimated capacity of 1,200.
That puts the college 17.9% over capacity, making it more crowded than any other government school in the state – according to figures prepared by the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) and released under right to information laws earlier this year.
Four modular classrooms were installed at the start of 2026 to provide extra learning space.
Traffic and parking upgrades were also completed to handle the increase in vehicles entering the site.
The department had brought in timetabling experts and was “managing enrolments in some subjects and making adjustments to the timetable.”
Now, new intake area arrangements will apply to students seeking admission to Hobart College for the first time in 2027.
Current students will not be affected.
Students attending government high schools that feed directly into the college, Dover District School, Huonville High School, Kingston High School, Taroona High School and Woodbridge School, will also be unaffected.
Those living within the new intake area or with a sibling already enrolled at the college will keep their access regardless of which high school they attend.
New international student enrolments at Hobart College will also be limited under a targeted approach.
The department said it would “work closely with families through the enrolment process to ensure they understand their options and are supported appropriately”.
Capacity remains available at Rosny College, Elizabeth College and Claremont College, all of which offer a broad range of courses and pathways.
Rosny College was sitting at 81.2% capacity at the start of this year, while Launceston College was at 85.9%.
Enrolment is also available at all southern high schools for Years 11 and 12.
The department said it would continue to monitor enrolment trends and keep the community informed about any further steps needed to manage demand.
