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Enrolment information for each of the states and territories is provided. This is for initial enrolment at the commencement of school careers and applies firstly to the government school system. At the Primary level, most other systems also follow these general procedures. Where applicable, each section contains links to other specific information related to enrolment. Links to documents relevant to the state or territory are included at the beginning of each section.
In addition, there are several links listed under Other Information, which may be of interest. Two extra sections have been included. The first relates to suggested procedures when transferring your child between schools, whether in the same system, state or country. It does not cover every option but does suggest a series of basics. The second provides basic information about the transition from Primary to Secondary education and its related enrolment procedures.
This page looks at initial enrolment procedures and information for South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
The First Page looks at initial enrolment procedures and information for the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland.
The Third Page looks at the procedures when changing schools, the transition from Primary [Elementary] to secondary schooling and a section of other, related information.
All links will be updated regularly in working to ensure they are current.
Access data by using the links in this section or the boxed page numbers above.
Should you be aware of errors in any of the data provided, please assist by letting us know so this can be updated and accuracy maintained.
States & Territories
South Australia
| Helpful Information | Catholic Education -
Enrolment ‘Information about enrolling children in our schools is available at any of the above links’. Also access a copy of their Enrolment Policy. Early Years ‘There will soon be a change to the way children start preschool and school. From 2013, South Australia will have the same first day of preschool for all children - the beginning of the school year. From 2014 the same first day of school for all children will be the beginning of the school year. If your child turns four before May 1, they will start preschool or school on the first day of Term One in that year. If your child turns four on or after May 1, they will start preschool or school on the first day of Term One the following year’. Enrolment Information and access to forms for government schools. Starting School [SA] Advice relating specifically to South Australian government schools. Note the information regarding the Same Starting Day, which will be introduced at different levels in 2013 and 2014. See details above. Starting School [Parenting SA] also offers a range of common-sense advice. |
| Minimum Age at Entry | Must turn 5 years of age before enrolment is possible. See Early Years information above about proposed changes to this.
Children must be enrolled, by law, when they turn 6 years of age. |
| First Year of School | Reception is the 1st formal year. |
| Special Circumstances | Early enrolment is possible for gifted/talented students. Check with your child’s future school for details. Be sure you
have data to back up such an application.
Check with your child’s future school if your child suffers from a mental or physical disability to assure appropriate placement and support. |
| Non-Local Enrolment | Not applicable. However, enrolment at a school other than your local school may rely on places being vacant.
Information on Primary School Zoning and also a link to High School Zoning can be found here. |
| Documentation Required | Proof of age, e.g. Birth Certificate or Passport.
Appropriate VISA if applicable. RecommendedCopies of documentation if legal circumstances apply e.g. custody. |
| Immunisation | No specific requirements for enrolment, though immunisation is encouraged. |
| Orientation | Schools run ‘Transition to School Programs’. If your child attends a local Kindergarten, they should automatically be included. If not, check with your child’s future school to ensure they are included. |
| Travel Assistance | Concession cards are available. Check with your child’s future school.
Check the Transport for Students page and see what assistance applies whether based on distance from school or for students with disabilities. |
| Financial | There is an Annual School Charge which is compulsory. There may also be Voluntary Contributions. Discuss any/all of these with
the school if there are difficulties with payment.
Fees - Catholic Schools Brief information, a link for further information, downloadable copy of their policy. |
| Uniform | Some schools require uniforms. Check with your child’s future school. |
| Out of School Hours Care | ‘Most services are located in schools but some are located in community centres, recreation centres or childcare
centres’. You should check with your child’s school in regard to Outside School Hours Care.
Information for Families This site helps you find services and provides access to other information. Out of School Hours Care Information provided as part of broader care information from Preschool, Child Care & Family Support section of DECD. The Australian Child Care Index Search the state areas to find appropriate sites. |
Tasmania
| Helpful Information | Every Day
Matters ‘Every day matters ! is written for parents of young children starting school. It includes tips to help your child settle into school life, as well as information about what a “typical day” might be for your child in Kindergarten, Prep and Grade 1’. School Life 2012 [Tas], and Starting Kindergarten [Tas] Covers relevant information about this exciting time for children and families. |
| Minimum Age at Entry | Kindergarten Enrolment can be as young as 4 years of age on or by 1 January in the year they start. Some earlier enrolment is
possible, but only on one of two grounds - Gifted or transfer from another state. Check with your child’s future school if this applies.
Minimum age of enrolment directly into Preparatory is 5 years on or by 1 January in the year they commence. The minimum age enrolling directly into Year 1 is 6 years on or by 1 January in the year they commence. Children must be enrolled, by law, when they turn 6 years of age. The Admission Policy and Guidelines and Enrolment in Compulsory Education [Legislation] provide greater detail about these. |
| First Year of School | Preparatory [Compulsory Year] |
| Special Circumstances | Check with your child’s future school if your child suffers from a mental or physical disability to assure appropriate
placement and support. Children With Special or Additional Needs This site provides a range of information. Note the reference in the Minimum Age section re Gifted Early Entry. Other Student Support information can be found here. |
| Non-Local Enrolment | You may enrol anywhere within each of the 6 individual districts, provided numbers allow. A summary about Where your child can go to [a government] school is found here. |
| Documentation Required | Student and Family
Details ‘You’ll be asked to supply the following information about the student’. [Note this is as detailed on the Information for Grandparents page but would also apply across the board.] Proof of age, e.g. Birth Certificate or Passport. A written Immunisation Statement is required. Appropriate VISA if applicable. RecommendedCopies of documentation if legal circumstances apply e.g. custody. |
| Immunisation | All Immunisation [Tas] requirements are found here. |
| Orientation | Orientation is an accepted, normal component of enrolment. Check with your child’s future school regarding date[s] and time[s]. |
| Travel Assistance | Yes, this is available. Check with your child’s future school in regard to Student Concession & Student Transfer Passes or details on the Travelling To School site. |
| Financial | School Fees - Catholic Schools Brief introduction plus a link to further information. Also a link regarding financial assistance. Yes, there is a school levy in government schools. School Levies and Other Charges Information is found here. Check with your child’s future school. Discuss this with the school if there are difficulties with payment. Student Financial Assistance is found here. |
| Uniform | Yes. Check with your child’s future school. Uniform Information [Tas] is available here. |
| Out of School Hours Care | Some services are located in schools, others are located in community centres, recreation centres and childcare
centres. Check with your child’s school in regard to Outside School Hours Care. Out of School Hours Child Care A Department of Education listing of services and related information, including financial assistance. The Australian Child Care Index Search the state areas to find appropriate sites. |
Victoria
| Helpful Information | Enrolling in School ‘The following pages include helpful enrolment information and outline the processes for enrolling your child in a Victorian government school’. Transition to School ‘The Transition : A Positive Start to School initiative aims to improve experiences of starting school’. Victorian Government Schools … Bringing Learning to Life Information on Getting Started, What services are available, Curriculum, Primary and Secondary school, Health and well being for your children, How to become more involved in your child’s education, Useful contacts. Further information also found at this site for Parents. Victorian Student Number ‘The VSN is a student identification number that will be assigned by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to all students in government and non-government schools, and students up to the age of 24 in Vocational Education and Training Institutions. The number, which is unique to each student, will be used as a key identifier on a student’s school records, and will remain with the student throughout his or her education, until reaching the age of 25.’ There is also a separate Information for School Students and their Parents page about this. |
| Minimum Age at Entry | Must turn 5 years of age by 30 April in the year they enrol.
All students begin school at the beginning of the school year irrespective of birth date. Children must be enrolled, by law, when they turn 6 years of age. |
| First Year of School | Preparatory [Prep].
Welcome to School ‘Designed for parents of Prep students - it will help you and your child on this very important journey through school.’ You can also listen to audio files of this from the same source. A similar page is available for a Welcome to Secondary School. |
| Special Circumstances | Check with your child’s future school if your child suffers from a mental or physical disability to assure
appropriate placement and support.
Information about Support for Students is found here. It covers Student Support Services, Support for Aboriginal Children and Students With Disabilities. The Program for Students with Disabilities Handbook is found here. |
| Non-Local Enrolment | You may apply to any school for enrolment as long as they have places vacant. A brief summary about Restrictions and Residential Boundaries is found here. |
| Documentation Required | Proof of age, e.g. Birth Certificate or Passport.
Immunisation Certificate - see below. Appropriate VISA if applicable. RecommendedCopies of documentation if legal circumstances apply e.g. custody. |
| Immunisation | Immunisation Certificate, which is obtainable from the local council, detailing immunisations.
Failure to be fully immunised may require exclusion in the event of particular diseases occurring in the school. |
| Orientation | Orientation is an accepted, normal component of enrolment. Check with your child’s future school regarding date[s] and time[s]. |
| Travel Assistance | Possible, but there is a 4.8km minimum distance to travel. Check with your child’s future school for details. Information on Student Transport, of all types, can be found here and also at this site. |
| Financial | Yes - payment for textbooks, excursions, school magazines, etc..
Information on Voluntary Contributions & School Materials Charges, listing what schools can ask for is found here. A Costs and Financial Assistance page is found here. There are FAQs, PDF documents and more. Discuss any of these with the school if there are difficulties with payment. |
| Uniform | ‘Each school council decides whether the school will have a uniform, what the uniform will be, and whether it will be compulsory to wear.’ Check with the school. |
| Out of School Hours Care | ‘Many primary schools offer before-school and after-school care as well as school holiday programs for
students. Parents using these services may be able to obtain the Child Care Benefit [a Commonwealth Government benefit]’. Check with your child’s
school in regard to Outside School Hours Care.
Out of School Hours Care Program General introduction, links. The Australian Child Care Index Search the state areas to find appropriate sites. |
Western Australia
| Helpful Information | Anglican Schools Commission Admissions
Policy Details the process to be followed by all schools. Catholic Education - Enrolment Provides a link to the Enrolment Policy which gives specific information and also provides information about enrolment of students with disabilities. You now need to be able to log in to access this site. Early Childhood Education The site contains a range of useful information including enrolments, etc.. Enrolling at School Provides a series of steps for doing this including access to forms, etc.. Enrolment Policy Policy for government schools. PDF document. Kindergarten & Pre-Primary Schooling Information, as part of a FAQ section, is found here. Access these brochures : Starting Kindergarten and Life’s Launching Pad : Starting Pre-Primary. |
| Minimum Age at Entry | Must turn 5 years of age by 30 June in the year they enrol.
Students begin school at the beginning of the school year irrespective of birth date. They may enrol in Kindergarten Classes the year they turn 4 [if before the 30th June]. Single entry point. Children must be enrolled, by law, at beginning of the school year in which the child reaches the age of 6 years 6 months. School Age Calculator Use this online calculator to see when your child can start school in Kindergarten, Pre-Primary or Year One. |
| First Year of School | Year 1. Pre-Primary can be a full time year but is not compulsory. Children can be Phased In during the Pre-Primary year. |
| Special Circumstances | Check with your child’s future school if your child suffers from a mental or physical disability to assure appropriate placement and support. The Centre for Inclusive Schooling provides information about the services available for students with disabilities or learning difficulties. |
| Non-Local Enrolment | You may apply to any school for enrolment, as long as space is available. The Local Intake Areas Policy provides a PDF download giving policy information about local and non-local intakes. |
| Documentation Required | Proof of age, e.g. Birth Certificate or Passport.
Immunisation Record. Appropriate VISA if applicable. RecommendedCopies of documentation if legal circumstances apply e.g. custody. |
| Immunisation | No specific requirements for enrolment, though immunisation is encouraged. |
| Orientation | Orientation is an accepted, normal component of enrolment. Check with your child’s future school regarding date[s] and time[s]. |
| Travel Assistance | Check with your child’s future school regarding travel assistance or visit the Getting to School website. Student Transport Concession information can be found on the TransPerth information site. |
| Financial | Contributions and Charges information can be found in PDF or Word documents which form the policy for the state. These are found
on the Fees and Charges page. The Contributions, Charges and Fees Policy covering Voluntary Contributions & Charges is found [and explained] here.
Fees - Catholic Schools Provides information about Fees and also gives brief information about Scholarships. |
| Uniform | Dress Codes apply. Check with your child’s future school. Dress Code for Students information is found in PDF or Word documents which form the policy for the state. These are found on the School Uniforms page. Denim clothing is not allowed as part of any uniform |
| Out of School Hours Care | Before-school and after-school care as well as school holiday programs for students. Check with their
child’s school in regard to Outside School Hours Care.
The Australian Child Care Index Search the state areas to find appropriate sites. |