Post updated July 2025.
Starting 鈥渂ig school鈥� is an exciting milestone for your child, and an emotional one for you, too. If you鈥檙e wondering when to enrol or whether your child is ready, you鈥檙e not alone. It鈥檚 a common question for families with preschool-aged children across Australia.
In this post, we鈥檒l explain when children can start school in each state and territory, unpack the often-confusing terminology (Prep, Kindergarten, Foundation - what鈥檚 the difference?), and explore how two years of preschool can help your child feel confident and prepared when the big day arrives.
When Can My Child Start School? (By State)
In Australia, children typically begin school in the year they turn聽five or six, but the specific聽cut-off dates聽and聽names for school entry levels聽vary depending on where you live.
Here鈥檚 a simple guide to help you make sense of it all:
Queensland - Prep
- The first year of school is called聽Prep.
- Children must turn聽5 by 30 June聽in the year they start Prep.
- The year before Prep is called聽Kindergarten, and is typically delivered in long day care or sessional programs.
New South Wales - Kindergarten
- The first year of school is called聽Kindergarten.
- Children must turn聽5 by 31 July聽in the year they start.
- The year before school is referred to as聽Preschool.
Australian Capital Territory - Kindergarten
- The first year of school is called聽Kindergarten.
- Children must turn聽5 by 30 April聽in the year they start.
- Preschool is the year prior to Kindergarten.
Victoria - Foundation (also known as Prep)
- The first year of school is officially called聽Foundation, though many schools and families call it聽Prep.
- Children must turn聽5 by 30 April聽in the year they start.
- The year before school is called聽Kindergarten.
Northern Territory - Transition
- The first optional year of school is called聽Transition.
- Children can start if they turn聽5 by 30 June.
- School is聽compulsory from age 6.
- The year before Transition is referred to as聽Preschool.
Western Australia - Pre-Primary
- The first聽compulsory聽year of school is called聽Pre-Primary.
- Children must turn聽5 by 30 June聽in the year they start.
- Most children attend聽Kindergarten聽at age 4, the year before Pre-Primary.
South Australia - Reception
- The first year of school is called聽Reception.
- Children must turn聽5 by 1 May聽to begin Reception in聽Term 1聽of that year.
- The year before school is commonly referred to as聽Preschool聽or聽Kindergarten.
Tasmania - Prep
Tip:聽If your child鈥檚 birthday is close to your state鈥檚 cut-off date, or you鈥檙e unsure whether they鈥檙e ready, speak to your early childhood educators or local school. Many families consider delaying or bringing forward their child鈥檚 start based on readiness.
Why Two Years of Preschool Makes a Difference
While the enrolment age is a helpful guide, your child鈥檚聽emotional, social, and cognitive readiness聽matters just as much. That鈥檚 where early learning comes in.
Research shows that children who attend a聽high-quality early learning program for two years聽before starting school are better prepared across multiple areas. These include early literacy and numeracy, social interaction, concentration, and emotional self-regulation.
A 2017 study from the University of Melbourne found that children who attended preschool in the year before school were聽up to 40% ahead聽of their peers by Year 3 (Everyone Benefits, 2017). Other studies, including聽Lifting Our Game聽and research by the Mitchell Institute, show that聽two years of preschool offers even greater advantages.
Children who consistently attend early education are more likely to:
- Start school with confidence
- Enjoy a positive attitude toward learning
- Build friendships and self-regulation
- Achieve higher academic results
- Stay engaged through to high school graduation
Every child develops at their own pace, but early learning gives them the strongest possible foundation to build on, socially, emotionally and academically.
Our School Readiness Program at 黑料专区
At 黑料专区, we鈥檝e designed a聽School Readiness Program聽that鈥檚 tailored for children aged聽3 to 5 years, delivered across our early learning聽centres.
This nationally recognised program is part of our exclusive聽Lifelong Learning Curriculum, which combines play-based learning with intentional teaching to support your child鈥檚 development at every stage.
We focus on four key areas:
- Emotional confidence - helping children understand and express feelings
- Social connectivity - fostering friendships and communication
- Foundational learning - building early literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving
- Physical health and wellbeing - supporting movement, nutrition, and rest
The program is aligned with the聽聽and personalised to meet each child鈥檚 interests and strengths. It ensures your child builds the skills and confidence they鈥檒l need when it鈥檚 time to take that next big step.
What Can I Do Now?
If school is on the horizon, here are a few simple ways to support your child:
- Talk positively about school and what to expect
- Practise lunchboxes, toileting, and getting dressed independently
- Organise playdates or social activities to build confidence
- Read books about starting school and making new friends
- Chat with your child鈥檚 educators about their school readiness
And if you're just starting to explore your early education options, we're here to help.
Learn more about our School Readiness Program and find a centre near you.