What are NESA Approved Calculators?
Choosing the right calculator can make a big difference in your maths performance — especially during school and HSC exams. However, not all calculators are permitted for students in NSW. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has approved a specific list of calculators for use in school assessments and state examinations. This article reviews the most popular NESA approved calculators, compares their features, and helps you — along with your parents or tutors — decide which model best suits your course level.
What Does “NESA Approved Calculators” Mean?
The NESA Approved Calculators List ensures that all students have an equal and fair advantage during exams.
- Only non-CAS models (without a Computer Algebra System) are allowed in most maths exams.
- Graphing calculators may be used in certain courses (e.g. Mathematics Extension 1 and Extension 2).
- Calculators must have memory-clearing functions.
- Calculators must not be programmable with text or formulas beyond standard functions.
This means that calculators such as the popular Casio fx-991MS, which can solve linear and quadratic equations, and the Casio fx-CG series, known for their graphing features, are not permitted.
You can check the official list on the NESA website each year before making a purchase.
What To Look For When Purchasing NESA Approved Calculators?
The number of functions is most important thing is to consider while purchasing NESA Approved calculators. Since, All the calculators are made by top brands such as CASIO, Texas Instruments, HP etc. most of them are easy to use. Some calculators such as the Casio fx 8200 may look hard to use but it you use it, in a couple of weeks, you’ll get use to it. Students generally will take some time to use any calculators. Hence, don’t worry about the ease of use.
While purchasing a calculator, make sure the model is NESA Approved for exam use. Secondary things to consider are durability, good warranty, and great value for money. The Key Features are:
- Exam Compliance: Must be on the current NESA-approved list.
- Ease of Use: Large display and easy to understand.
- Functions: Trigonometry, statistics, fractions, powers, and graphing (if allowed).
- Durability: Strong body and long battery life.
- Price Range: Balancing quality with affordability — most cost $25–$50.
List of NESA Approved Calculators
NESA has approved a wide range of calculators from several trusted brands for NSW school and HSC exams. The following is the complete list of NESA approved calculators:
- Abacus: SX-II Matrix a, SX-II Matrix n
- Canon: F717SGA, F-715SG, F-730SX
- Casio: fx-82AU series, fx-8200AU (and fx-8200AU II from 2026), fx-85MS, fx-100AU, fx-350MS
- Hewlett-Packard (HP): HP10S, HP10S+, HP300S+, HP10sII
- Jastek: JasCS1, JasCS EVO, JasCS2 EVO
- RSB: FB 350MS
- Scholar: SC-250MX
- Sharp: EL-531 and EL-W532 series
- Texas Instruments: TI-30XB MultiView, TI-30X Plus MathPrint
Casio remains the most widely used in NSW schools, followed closely by Sharp and Texas Instruments for reliability and exam approval.
Top Recommended NESA Approved Calculators to Buy in 2026
When it comes to buying a calculator, Casio stands out as the most popular and reliable brand in Australia. It offers a wide range of models and is easily available in most stores, including Officeworks and JB Hi-Fi. Texas Instruments is another trusted brand, preferred by many students and recommended by some selective schools across NSW. Other reputable brands include Sharp, HP and Canon, which also produce quality calculators suitable for school use.
CASIO fx-8200 AU and Casio fx-8200 AU PLUS II
At Aussie Math Tutor NSW, we highly recommend the Casio fx-8200AU. It’s one of the best choices among the NESA approved calculators and easily one of the most reliable which students can buy right now.
The fx-8200AU comes packed with helpful functions — from statistics and probability to vectors, complex numbers, and surds. What makes it really stand out is how it can show answers in fractions, decimals, or surds, giving students more flexibility when checking their work. It also has the GCD and LCM features. This is highly beneficial for students in Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, and Year 10 who struggle with factors, fractions and surds. For most NSW students, including those preparing for the HSC, this calculator has everything you’ll ever need.
It’s also easy to find. You can grab one from Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, or any major online store. When we checked at Officeworks North Parramatta, it was one of the main models on the shelf. Many schools around Oatlands, Dundas, Eastwood, Parramatta, and Telopea — including Marist College Eastwood — recommend this calculator to their students too.
Now, like any device, it’s not perfect. It can take a little time to get used to — for example, it shows answers as fractions by default instead of decimals, and finding the percentage (%) sign means going through Catalog → Probability → %. It’s a small hassle at first, but once you’ve used it for a week or two, it becomes second nature.
The fx-8200AU sells for around $49, which is a bit higher than some other models, but it’s worth the extra cost for its features and exam-friendly design. Casio also plans to release the fx-8200AU II in July 2026, which will offer similar features with a few improvements.
Casio fx-82AU PLUS II 1st and 2nd Edition
The Casio fx-82 series are easily the most popular NESA Approved calculators across NSW schools. You’ll find the fx-82AU PLUS model in almost every home around Oatlands, Dundas, Eastwood, Parramatta, and Telopea. Many schools even hand them out to Year 7 students along with their first geometry set and maths textbook — it’s almost a school tradition at this point.
The older 1st Edition used to cost around $30, while the newer 2nd Edition sells for about $45. What makes this calculator so loved is how simple and familiar it is. Most students already know how to use it, so there’s no steep learning curve.The Casio fx-82AU PLUS II (2nd Edition) is a reliable, NESA-approved scientific calculator that’s perfect for everyday schoolwork.It includes handy features for statistics, probability (nCr, nPr), fractions, and GCD/LCM, plus a natural textbook display that shows equations exactly how they look in your notes — clear and easy to follow.
Casio fx-82 series doesn’t include advanced features like vectors, complex numbers, or detailed probability distributions. It also can’t show answers in surd form (like √2).
CASIO fx-100AU PLUS 2nd edition
Casio fx-100AU was one of the most popular NESA Approved calculators among HSC students. It offered all the advanced features such as vectors, complex numbers, improved statistics tools, tables of values, and exact value calculations. However, this model has now been discontinued and replaced by the newer Casio fx-8200AU.
Texas Instruments TI-30XB MultiView andTI-30X Plus MathPrint
The TI-30XS MultiView and TI-30X Plus MathPrint are other popular options among the NESA Approved calculators, used by many students across NSW. They have a four-line display that lets you see multiple steps and answers at once, making it easier to check your work. It’s great for statistics, geometry, pre-algebra, and science. It stands out from the Casio range because it runs on both solar and battery power. Priced at around $19 and $45 respectively, they are a reliable and affordable choice for school use.
Many schools — including a few Selective Schools — prefer this model. Students and parents often describe it as easy to use, accurate, and perfect for everyday maths tasks.
Some users mentioned that the calculator doesn’t include clear setup instructions and might require looking online for guidance. Overall, it’s a great calculator and an excellent alternative to the Casio models.
Sharp and HP
The Sharp EL-531 series and HP 10s+ are great budget-friendly, NESA approved calculators. They are simple, reliable, easy to use, and perfect for students who want a solid option without spending too much. These are ideal for younger students or those in the foundational years, offering all the basic functions needed for school maths.
Conclusion
Finding the right NESA-approved calculator doesn’t have to be confusing. Whether you’re a Year 7 student just starting high school or preparing for the HSC, the key is to choose a model that’s reliable, easy to use, and allowed in exams.
For most NSW students, the Casio fx-82AU PLUS II and Casio fx-8200AU remain the top picks — they’re trusted, durable, and widely recommended by schools. If you’re after something more budget-friendly, Sharp and HP calculators offer great value, while Texas Instruments provides solid alternatives preferred by a few selective schools.
Always check the official NESA list before buying to make sure your calculator is approved for use in exams. The right calculator isn’t just a tool — it’s a confidence booster that helps you perform your best when it matters most.
