School Starting Age in Australia by State

When Does My Child Start School in Australia?

It should be a simple question, but in Australia it is anything but. Every state and territory has a different cutoff date, a different name for the first year of school, and different rules about early or delayed entry. If you have moved interstate — or you are simply comparing notes with friends in another state — the whole system can feel baffling.

This page is a plain-English reference you can bookmark and share. It covers:

• The age cutoff date for every state and territory
• What the first year of school is called in each state (Kindergarten, Prep, Reception, Pre-Primary, or Transition)
• Compulsory schooling ages and what they actually mean
• Options for early entry and delayed entry
• The confusing difference between "Kindy" in NSW and "Kindy" in Queensland

Looking for term dates? See our School Holidays 2026 page. For important education events and key dates, visit Key Education Dates 2026.

The table below summarises the key enrolment details for every Australian state and territory. Scroll right on mobile to see all columns.

Key Takeaways

• NSW has the latest cutoff (31 July), meaning children can be as young as 4 years and 5 months when they start school in late January.
• Tasmania has the earliest effective cutoff (1 January), meaning children are always at least 5 when they begin Prep.
• South Australia is unique — it offers two Reception intakes per year, so children born later in the year do not have to wait a full 12 months.
• The Northern Territory's Transition year is optional — compulsory schooling does not begin until the year a child turns 6.

One of the biggest sources of confusion for Australian parents is that the same word can mean completely different things depending on which state you are in.

"Kindergarten" or "Kindy"

• In NSW and the ACT, Kindergarten (Kindy) is the first year of primary school — the year children turn 5.
• In Queensland, Victoria, and most other states, "kindy" or "kinder" refers to preschool — the year before school starts, typically for 4-year-olds.

This means a NSW parent saying "my child is in Kindy" is talking about a completely different year level than a Queensland parent using the same word.

"Prep" or "Foundation"

• In Victoria, the first year of school is officially called Foundation but is still widely known as Prep.
• In Queensland and Tasmania, the first year of school is called Prep.
• In NSW, Prep does not exist as a school year — the first year is Kindergarten.

"Reception"

• This term is used only in South Australia for the first year of school.

"Pre-Primary"

• This term is used only in Western Australia for the first compulsory year of school. WA also has a non-compulsory Kindergarten year for 4-year-olds before Pre-Primary.

"Transition"

• This term is used only in the Northern Territory for the optional year before Year 1. It is equivalent to Kindergarten/Prep/Foundation in other states but is not compulsory.

Quick Reference

Tip for interstate moves: If you are moving between states, talk to your new school early. A child who has completed "Kindy" in NSW has completed the equivalent of "Prep" in Queensland — they should be going into Year 1, not starting again.

Most states allow some flexibility around when a child starts school. Here is a summary of the early and delayed entry options in each state and territory.

Early Entry

Early entry means starting school before the standard cutoff age. This is generally only available in limited circumstances:

• NSW: Children identified as intellectually gifted who turn 5 after 31 July may be considered for early Kindergarten entry. Requires formal assessment and documentation.
• VIC: A child who is at least 4 years and 6 months on 30 April may apply for a minimum age exemption, but only if a professional (childcare, kindergarten, allied health) recommends it because delaying would cause long-term educational disadvantage.
• QLD: Children who turn 5 by 31 July (one month after the standard cutoff) may start Prep early if the school principal is satisfied the child is ready. This is the most accessible early entry option in Australia.
• SA: South Australia's dual intake system (Term 1 and Term 3) already provides built-in flexibility.
• WA: No formal early entry process exists. Pre-Primary is compulsory for children who turn 5 by 30 June.
• TAS: Gifted children can enter Kindergarten or Prep up to 6 months early, assessed by a cross-sectoral placement committee.
• ACT: Early entry is available for children who turn 5 by 31 July, in cases involving interstate mobility, gifted identification, or parental work requirements.
• NT: Transition is optional, so children can attend when they turn 5 at any point during the year.

Delayed Entry

Delayed entry means keeping a child in preschool or at home for an extra year before starting school. Rules vary significantly:

• NSW: Exemptions from the compulsory enrolment age (6) are available in limited circumstances, such as when a child turns 6 on or after 1 October and is enrolled in full-time preschool.
• VIC: Exemptions can be granted for children who have moved from interstate (different starting age), have experienced chronic illness or disability, or are refugees/asylum seekers.
• QLD: Parents can delay Prep entry by one year with no formal approval required. This is the most flexible delayed entry policy in Australia. The child simply starts Prep the following year.
• SA: Discuss with your school — the dual intake system provides some natural flexibility.
• WA: Pre-Primary is compulsory and cannot formally be delayed, but parents can discuss placement with the school principal.
• TAS: An exemption from attending school can be applied for through the school or the Department for Education.
• ACT: Exemptions from compulsory schooling are available through an application process.
• NT: Transition is not compulsory, so delayed entry is not an issue — compulsory schooling begins the year the child turns 6.

Meeting the age cutoff does not automatically mean your child is ready for school — and missing it by a few weeks does not mean they are not. School readiness is about much more than age.

What Does "School Ready" Look Like?

Teachers and early childhood educators generally look at four areas:

Social and emotional readiness

• Can separate from parents or carers without significant distress
• Can take turns, share, and play cooperatively with other children
• Can follow simple instructions and routines
• Shows some independence with self-care (toileting, eating, dressing)

Language and communication

• Can communicate needs and ideas clearly enough for adults to understand
• Listens to and follows two- or three-step instructions
• Shows interest in stories, songs, and conversations
• Can recognise and write their own name (or is close to it)

If you are unsure whether your child's speech sounds are developing as expected, our speech sounds development chart shows which sounds children typically master by each age. For a broader look at communication readiness, see our guide to school readiness and speech and language development.

Fine and gross motor skills

• Can hold a pencil or crayon with a functional grip
• Can use scissors with reasonable control
• Can run, jump, climb, and balance with confidence
• Can sit still for short periods (10–15 minutes)

Cognitive readiness

• Shows curiosity and interest in learning
• Can concentrate on a task for a short time
• Recognises some letters, numbers, shapes, or colours
• Understands basic concepts like big/small, in/out, before/after

What If Your Child Is Not Ready?

If your child is eligible to start school but you have concerns about readiness, the best first step is to talk to:

1. Your child's preschool or childcare educators — they observe your child in a group learning environment every day
2. The school principal or Kindergarten/Prep teacher at your intended school — most schools run orientation sessions and can advise
3. Your GP or paediatrician if you have concerns about developmental delays
4. A speech pathologist or occupational therapist if there are specific communication or motor skill concerns

Remember that children develop at different rates, and starting school is a transition — most children take several weeks to settle in, regardless of how "ready" they are.

For parents preparing children for their first year of reading, our Decodable Readers page has resources designed for Foundation and early primary students.

For the most up-to-date enrolment information, always check your state or territory education department directly:

• NSW: Starting Kindergarten FAQs — NSW Department of Education
• VIC: Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) — Victorian Government
• QLD: Enrolment Age Requirements — Queensland Government
• SA: Starting School — SA Department for Education
• WA: Find Out When Your Child Can Start School — WA Government
• TAS: School Starting and Leaving Ages — TAS Department for Education
• ACT: School Age Calculator — ACT Government
• NT: Age Your Child Attends School — NT Government
• Federal: School Years — Services Australia

These links were verified in February 2026. If a link no longer works, search for "starting school" or "school enrolment" on the relevant state government website.