Victoria School Age Calculator
Find out what year your child may start 3-Year-Old Kinder, 4-Year-Old Kinder, Foundation / Prep, Year 1 and Year 7 in Victoria based on their year of birth.
- Victoria has 3-Year-Old Kinder and 4-Year-Old Kinder before school.
- Foundation, also called Prep, is the first year of school in Victoria.
- Children usually start Foundation / Prep if they turn 5 by 30 April.
Victoria school age calculator
Choose your child’s birth year and select Victoria to estimate Kinder, Foundation / Prep, Year 1 and Year 7.
What age does a child start school in Victoria?
In Victoria, children usually start Foundation / Prep in the year they turn 5 by 30 April. Before school, Victorian children may attend 3-Year-Old Kinder and 4-Year-Old Kinder.
Victoria Kinder, Foundation / Prep, Year 1 and Year 7 guide
The table below gives a simple guide to the Victorian school age pathway.
| Stage | Victorian name | General age rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early learning | 3-Year-Old Kinder | Children usually start kindergarten at 3 years old. Children born January to April can choose which year to start 3-Year-Old Kinder. | Some services may only allow children to attend once they have turned 3. |
| Before school | 4-Year-Old Kinder | Usually the year before Foundation / Prep. | Victoria provides two years of kindergarten before school. |
| First year of school | Foundation / Prep | Children usually start Foundation / Prep if they turn 5 by 30 April in the year they start school. | Foundation is also commonly called Prep. |
| Second year of school | Year 1 | Usually the year after Foundation / Prep. | The calculator estimates this from the Foundation / Prep start year. |
| High school transition | Year 7 | Usually estimated from the child’s primary school progression. | The calculator gives a guide to the likely Year 7 start year. |
Common Victoria school age questions
These are the questions parents often search when trying to work out when their child starts Kinder, Foundation / Prep, Year 1 or high school in Victoria.
What year will my child start 3-Year-Old Kinder in Victoria?
Children usually start kindergarten at 3 years old. If your child is born January to April, you may have a choice of whether they start 3-Year-Old Kinder in the year they turn 3 or the year they turn 4.
What year will my child start Foundation / Prep?
Your child can usually start Foundation / Prep in Victoria in the year they turn 5 by 30 April. If they turn 5 after 30 April, they usually start the following year.
What year will my child be in Year 1?
In Victoria, Year 1 usually comes directly after Foundation / Prep. Once you know the Prep start year, the Year 1 estimate is usually the following year.
How Victoria’s 30 April cut-off affects school start years
Because Victoria uses a 30 April cut-off for Foundation / Prep, children born from January to April may have a different school start year from children born from May to December in the same birth year.
Born January to April
Children born from January to April usually meet the 30 April cut-off for Foundation / Prep in the earlier eligible school year.
Born May to December
Children born from May to December usually miss the 30 April cut-off and start Foundation / Prep the following year.
Why the calculator shows two options
Since the calculator only asks for birth year, it shows both possible birthday ranges instead of asking for a full date of birth.
Is Foundation the same as Prep in Victoria?
Yes. In Victoria, the first year of primary school is formally called Foundation, but many families and schools still refer to it as Prep.
3-Year-Old Kinder
This is an early learning year before school. It is part of Victoria’s kindergarten pathway and is not the same as Prep.
4-Year-Old Kinder
This is usually the year before Foundation / Prep and helps children build confidence before primary school.
Foundation / Prep
Foundation, often called Prep, is the first formal year of primary school in Victoria. It comes before Year 1.
Victoria school age calculator FAQs
Quick answers for Victorian parents working out Kinder, Foundation / Prep, Year 1 and Year 7.
What age does 3-Year-Old Kinder start in Victoria?
Children usually start kindergarten at 3 years old. Children born January to April may be able to choose whether they start 3-Year-Old Kinder in the year they turn 3 or the year they turn 4.
What age does 4-Year-Old Kinder start in Victoria?
4-Year-Old Kinder is usually the year before Foundation / Prep. It is part of the early learning pathway before school.
What age does Foundation / Prep start in Victoria?
Children usually start Foundation / Prep in Victoria if they turn 5 by 30 April in the year they start school.
Is Foundation the same as Prep?
Yes. In Victoria, Foundation is the official name for the first year of school, but many people still call it Prep.
What happens if my child turns 5 after 30 April?
If your child turns 5 after 30 April, they usually start Foundation / Prep the following school year.
Can my child start school later in Victoria?
Some families choose a later school start, especially where a child may benefit from more time before school. Speak with your kindergarten, local school or the Victorian Department of Education for advice.
What year will my child start Year 7 in Victoria?
The calculator estimates Year 7 from the likely Foundation / Prep start year. This gives a guide to when your child may start high school.
Calculate your child’s Victoria school starting year
Use the calculator to estimate your child’s likely 3-Year-Old Kinder, 4-Year-Old Kinder, Foundation / Prep, Year 1 and Year 7 years in Victoria.
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