Updated 19 October 2026 · General information, not advice
Enrolment works in a similar way across Australia, although each state sets its own timelines and starting-age rules.
1. Work out your local school
For government schools, start with your address. Use your state’s school-finder tool to see which school serves it. Read our guide to catchment zones.
2. Check the starting age
Each state has a cut-off date that decides when a child can start the first year of school, and a compulsory school age by which they must be enrolled. The first year also has different names: Kindergarten in NSW and the ACT, Prep in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, Pre-primary in WA, Reception in SA and Transition in the NT.
3. Apply early
Most schools take enrolments for the first year of school in the year before. Non-government schools often open waiting lists years ahead, so contact them early if you are considering one.
4. Prepare your documents
- birth certificate or passport
- proof of address
- immunisation history statement
- visa details for non-citizens
- any parenting orders, medical plans or reports about learning needs
5. Orientation
Schools usually run orientation sessions late in the year before your child starts. It is also a good time to ask about uniforms, before- and after-school care and how the school supports students with additional needs.