What age does my child need to be to start school in Australia?
Each state and territory in Australia has a different name for the first formal year of schooling, such as ‘Reception’, ‘Kindergarten’, ‘Pre-Primary’ or ‘Prep’.
The ages for the first year of formal schooling for each state and territory are as follows:
Australian Capital Territory
In the ACT, the first year of schooling is called Kindergarten. Your child can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the year if they turn five by April 30.
New South Wales
Children can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July that year. By law, all children must be in compulsory schooling by their 6th birthday.
Queensland
A preparatory year is offered in primary schools as an early education program that is not compulsory. Instead of Prep, parents may choose to keep their children at home or send them to an alternative early childhood education and care service before Year 1.
To enrol in Prep, children must turn 5 by 30 June in the year they are enrolled. To enter Year 1, children must turn 6 before 30 June in the year they are enrolled.
South Australia
From 2024, if your child turns 5 between 1 May and 31 October, they can start school in either Term 3 of the same year or Term 1 of the following year. Students enrolled in the mid-year intake will complete six terms of Reception.
Tasmania
You may enrol your child in Kindergarten if your child turns 4 on or before 1 January in the year they start. A child that turns 5 on or before 1 January must start school that year. Children will start in the Preparatory Year, and attend Primary School from Years 1 - 6.
Victoria
Children usually begin their primary education in a Foundation (Prep) year, which is equivalent to Kindergarten. To be eligible for the Foundation year, children should turn 5 years old by 30 April of the year they start school.
Western Australia
Children who will be 5 years old by 30 June enrol in Pre-Primary, which will be their first year of compulsory education.
Northern Territory
School is compulsory for all children from the age of 6. If your child turns 6 on or before 30 June, they must be enrolled at the start of the school year. If your child turns 6 after 30 June, they must be enrolled at the start of the following school year.
For more information about starting school in Australia grab a copy of our ebook here.
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