School Starting Age Australia
School starting age in Australia depends on your child’s birth year, birthday range, and the state or territory where they will attend school. This guide explains the main starting age rules for Kindy, Preschool, Prep, Kindergarten, Reception, Pre-primary, Transition, Year 1 and Year 7.
Quick answer
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1
Most children start school around age 5 or 6.
The exact year depends on the state cut-off date. -
2
The first year of school has different names.
It may be called Prep, Kindergarten, Foundation, Reception, Pre-primary or Transition. -
3
Early learning is different too.
Kindy, Preschool and Kindergarten can mean different things depending on where you live.
Calculate your child’s possible school starting year
Select your child’s year of birth and state or territory to estimate their likely early learning year, first formal school year, Year 1 and Year 7.
School starting age calculator
Choose a birth year and state or territory to estimate possible school year outcomes.
What age does a child start school in Australia?
Most Australian children begin their first formal year of school when they are around five or six. The confusing part is that each state and territory uses a different cut-off date and different school-year names.
Before school
This may be called Kindy, Preschool, Kindergarten, 3-Year-Old Kinder or 4-Year-Old Kinder, depending on the state.
First formal school year
This may be called Kindergarten, Prep, Foundation, Reception, Pre-primary or Transition, depending on the state or territory.
Later school years
Once the first school year is known, Year 1 and Year 7 can usually be estimated by following the normal year progression.
School starting age by state and territory
Use this table as a simple guide to the main school starting age rules across Australia. Always check with the relevant education department or local school before making enrolment decisions.
| State / Territory | Early learning stage | First formal school year | Main starting age rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Preschool / early learning | Kindergarten | Children can usually start Kindergarten if they turn 5 on or before 31 July in that school year. | NSW Department of Education |
| Victoria | 3-Year-Old Kinder / 4-Year-Old Kinder | Foundation / Prep | Children can usually start Foundation / Prep if they turn 5 by 30 April in the year they start school. | Victorian Government |
| Queensland | Kindy | Prep | Children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they enrol in Prep. | Queensland Government |
| Western Australia | Kindergarten | Pre-primary | Children can enrol in Pre-primary, the first year of compulsory schooling, if they are 5 by 30 June. | WA Department of Education |
| South Australia | Preschool | Reception | Children who turn 5 before 1 May can start Reception in Term 1. Children who turn 5 from 1 May to 31 October can start in Term 3. Children who turn 5 after 31 October usually start the following year. | SA Department for Education |
| Tasmania | Kindergarten | Prep | Children can usually attend Kindergarten if they are 4 on or by 1 January. A child who is at least 5 on 1 January must be enrolled at school. | Tasmanian DECYP |
| Australian Capital Territory | Preschool | Kindergarten | Children can usually start Preschool if they are 4 on or before 30 April, and Kindergarten if they are 5 on or before 30 April. | ACT Government |
| Northern Territory | Preschool | Transition | Children can usually start Preschool if they turn 4 on or before 30 June, and Transition if they turn 5 on or before 30 June. | NT Government |
School starting age calculators by state
These pages should be built next to capture state-specific long-tail searches and give parents a clearer answer for their own state or territory.
Prep, Kindergarten, Reception, Pre-primary and Transition explained
A major reason parents get confused is that the first year of school is not called the same thing across Australia.
Prep / Foundation
Queensland uses Prep as the first year of school. Victoria commonly refers to Foundation, also known as Prep.
Kindergarten
In NSW and the ACT, Kindergarten is the first year of primary school. In WA and Tasmania, Kindergarten is an early learning year before full-time school.
Reception / Pre-primary / Transition
South Australia uses Reception, Western Australia uses Pre-primary, and the Northern Territory uses Transition as the first formal school year.
School starting age FAQs
These are the common questions parents ask when trying to work out what year their child will start school in Australia.
What age does my child start school in Australia?
Most children start their first formal year of school when they are around five or six years old. The exact year depends on their birthday and the school starting age rule in their state or territory.
Why are school starting ages different between states?
Education is managed by each state and territory, so the first year of school, the cut-off date and the early learning pathway can vary across Australia.
Is Kindy the same as Kindergarten?
Not always. In Queensland, Kindy is the year before Prep. In NSW and the ACT, Kindergarten is the first formal year of primary school. In Western Australia and Tasmania, Kindergarten is an early learning year before the first full-time school year.
What is the difference between Prep and Year 1?
Prep is the first formal school year in Queensland. Year 1 is usually the next year after Prep. Other states may use different names for the first school year.
Can my child start school later?
In some cases, parents may delay school entry if they feel their child is not ready. Rules vary, so it is best to speak with your local school or education department.
Can my child start school early?
Early entry rules vary between states and are usually limited to special circumstances. Parents should check the relevant education department rules and speak with the school.
What year will my child start Year 7?
Once the first school year is known, Year 7 can usually be estimated by following the normal school year progression. The calculator on this site can estimate Year 7 from birth year and state.
Calculate your child’s school starting year
Use the School Age Calculator Australia to estimate your child’s possible Kindy, Preschool, Prep, Kindergarten, Reception, Pre-primary, Transition, Year 1 and Year 7 years.
Use the school age calculator