Bob Hawke College GATE — TSS Score, Entry & What to Expect

Bob Hawke College at a glance

Location and campus

Bob Hawke College sits in Mount Hawthorn, approximately 4 km north of the Perth CBD. The campus is purpose-built and significantly newer than most Perth GATE schools, with modern facilities including dedicated STEM labs, a performing arts centre, and outdoor learning areas. Its inner-city location makes it accessible for families across the northern and central suburbs.

The school was named after the late Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia, who was born in WA and attended a predecessor school on a nearby site.

Bob Hawke College TSS — what score do you need?

The DoE does not publish cutoff scores. Places are offered in order of TSS until the available positions are filled. Based on the school's profile and its position in the Perth GATE hierarchy, competitive TSS for Bob Hawke College is estimated at:

For context: Perth Modern (the most selective WA GATE school) typically requires a TSS of 244+. Bob Hawke sits a few points below that threshold, making it a realistic target for strong but not top-decile students.

Use our TSS calculator to see where your current mock scores place you.

GATE academic program

The GATE stream at Bob Hawke College follows the WA DoE's Academic extension curriculum framework. GATE students are grouped together for core subjects and follow an accelerated and enriched pathway designed to challenge high-ability learners.

Bob Hawke vs other Perth GATE schools

WA has 14 GATE secondary schools across the metropolitan area. Bob Hawke is the youngest of these, which means families have less historical data to go on but also benefit from genuinely modern facilities. Here is a quick comparison with the three most commonly compared alternatives:

TSS figures are estimates based on available data. See our full school cutoffs guide for more detail.

Frequently asked questions

What TSS do I need for Bob Hawke College GATE?

There is no published cutoff. The DoE allocates places in order of TSS. Based on the school's academic profile, students typically need a TSS in the range of 232–240 to be competitive. The exact threshold varies each year with the cohort.

Is Bob Hawke College selective entry only?

No. Bob Hawke College also has a standard local intake for students who live in its regular catchment (covering Joondanna, Woodlands, Wembley Downs and nearby suburbs). The GATE program runs alongside this local stream.

How does Bob Hawke compare to Perth Modern?

Perth Modern is widely regarded as the most academically competitive GATE school in WA (TSS ~244+). Bob Hawke is newer and somewhat less selective, with an estimated TSS floor around 232. Both offer rigorous GATE programs, but Perth Modern has a longer track record and stronger ATAR outcomes on average.

Can students transfer into the GATE program in later years?

Entry to the GATE program is almost exclusively via the Year 7 ASET process. Mid-school transfers into GATE are very rare and subject to a vacant place being available plus DoE approval.

Is Bob Hawke College good for University preparation?

Yes. The GATE cohort follows a rigorous Academic extension pathway. Students in the GATE stream frequently go on to study at UWA and Curtin. As a newer school, its full ATAR track record is still emerging (first Year 12 cohort graduated in 2025).

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