Overview
Kindergarten (QLD): 3-4 year olds
Pre-school / Kindergarten / Prep (ACT, NT, NSW and SA / TAS, VIC and WA / QLD):
4-5 year olds
Kindergarten / Preparatory / Pre-Primary / Reception / Transition (ACT and NSW /
TAS, VIC and QLD / WA / SA / NT): 5-6 year olds
To start Prep, the first year of primary school, your child needs to turn five by 30 April of that year. Your child must be at school in the year they turn six, which is the compulsory school-starting age.
Your child can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five on or before 31 July in that year. By law, all children must be enrolled in school by their sixth birthday.
All Queensland children are eligible to attend full-time Prep when they attain the age of 5 years by 30 June in the year they propose to attend Prep. Participation in a Preparatory program of schooling is not compulsory.
Children can start kindergarten when turning four years old by 30 June of the year they attend.
If your child turns five before 1 May they will start school on the first day of term one in that year.
Children must be five by 30 April to begin the school year.
Children must be five by 1 January to be enrolled in Prep. You may enrol your child in a non-compulsory Kindergarten if your child turns four on or before 1 January of the year they start.
Children turning four on or before 30 June are eligible to enrol in a regular preschool program at the commencement of the school year.
Children turning four after 30 June are eligible to enrol in a preschool program after their birthday, if places are available and with the understanding that the child will access more than 12 months of Preschool.
Education in Australia