Australian starting ages
When can my child start school?
There is no national school-start cutoff. The rule depends on the state or territory, your child's birthday and whether you are asking about school or the year before.
Direct answer
There is no single Australian starting age.
Each state and territory sets its own date and its own name for the first year of school. Use the guide for where your child will enrol, then confirm it on that education department's page.
Some jurisdictions allow an ordinary later start, while others make the first year compulsory or require approval for exceptions.
These guides explain typical government-school and year-before-school entry. Private-school, place-allocation and exceptional pathways may differ. Confirm requirements with your chosen school or education authority.
Official education department sources
- Queensland: Queensland Government: Prep enrolments
- New South Wales: NSW Department of Education: Primary school enrolment
- Victoria: Victorian Government: Enrolling in Foundation (Prep)
- South Australia: SA Department for Education: Starting school
- Western Australia: WA Department of Education: Enrol at a Western Australian school
- Tasmania: Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People: Enrolling your child
- Australian Capital Territory: ACT Government: School age calculator
- Northern Territory: Northern Territory Government: Stages of schooling
Eligible doesn't automatically mean ready.
The rule tells you when enrolment may be possible. A school-start decision also needs a view of everyday experience, supports and the available alternatives. Read about readiness and decision-making.
A clearer beginning
Start with the rule. Then consider the child.
StartYear keeps the legal age check separate from its broader Decision Plan.
