AUSSIE EDUCATOR

Enrolments

Enrolment information for all states and territories is provided. This is for initial enrolment at the commencement of school careers and is based on the government school system. Each section contains links to specific areas of information related to enrolment. Helpful documents are suggested at the beginning of each section.

In addition, two extra sections are included. The first covers suggested procedures when transferring your child between schools, whether in the same system, state or country. It does not cover every option but provides the basics. The second gives information about the transition from Primary to Secondary education and that enrolment procedure.

While directly linked to government systems, for those enrolling children in non-government schools, enrolment would be the same or very similar.

This page looks at enrolments in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland.

The Second Page looks at enrolments in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

The Third Page looks at procedures when changing schools, transition from Primary [Elementary] to secondary and other information seen to have relevance.

Australian Capital Territory

Helpful Information

ACT Education Directorate

Catholic Schools

Independent Schools

  • AIS ACT Member Schools
    This page lists all schools covered by the Association of Independent Schools in the ACT. Each school provides a range of information about their enrolment procedure, e.g. here.

Minimum Age at Entry

  When can my child start school in the ACT ?
Covers both Preschool and Kindergarten. Also has a Handy Calculator to find when they can start school. Some related information is also found here. A brief summary follows :
 Must turn 5 years of age by 30 April in the year they enrol in Kindergarten.
 Children must be enrolled, by law, when they turn 6 years of age.

First Formal Year of School

Kindergarten

Special Circumstances

Non-Local Enrolment

‘Every child from Kindergarten to Year 12 continues to be guaranteed a place at their local public school [by Priority Enrolment Area or PEA]. You may apply to enrol your child at a school outside your local area [referred to as an out of area enrolment application] but there is no guarantee that your application will be successful. All schools must consider such enrolment applications against specific criteria’.

  • Find Your Local School
    ‘Use the ACT Schools Map [link on the page] to search by home address or by school name to confirm your local school. Alternatively, you can check the PEA by suburb or school level’. Documents listing PEAs for all types of schools are listed on this page. These may change each year.
  • NSW Resident Enrolments
    ‘The ACT Government has for many years provided education services to NSW residents in the region surrounding the ACT. New arrangements were put in place for enrolments for the 2019 school year onward. When NSW families enrol in the Canberra public school system, you will be given a clear pathway through all stages of schooling. NSW Enrolment Pathways - 2021 and NSW Pathway Zones are found at these links’.

Documentation Required

‘You will need the following’ :

 Proof of age and identity, e.g. Birth Certificate or Passport.
 Proof of residential address.
 Proof of immunisation status.
 Appropriate VISA if applicable.

Recommended

 Copies of documentation if legal circumstances apply e.g. custody.
 Any documentation relating to mental/physical conditions which may affect learning and/or require special assistance.
 Check with the selected school for any further requirements.

Immunisation

 Proof of immunisation status. Immunisation is encouraged.
 What happens if there is a disease outbreak and your child has not been immunised ?
 Check the Infectious Diseases Outbreak Procedures and Exclusion Periods document for details.

Orientation

Orientation is an accepted, normal component of enrolment. Check with your child’s future school regarding date[s] and time[s].

Travel Assistance

Some special bus passes are available. Check with your child’s future school for details.

Financial

ACT Education Directorate

  • ‘Public education is free with the exception of dependants of temporary residents who are not eligible for fee exemption. If this applies, check this page for details.
    Schools may offer or facilitate some specific optional items, activities and services for which parents may be required to pay. Financial and Resource Assistance for Families information is found here’.

Catholic Schools

  • Tuition Fees
    ‘A link to the Schedule of Tuition fees for the current year is available. Schools also set their own local levies and charges which will vary from school to school. Local levies and charges are available by contacting the school or by accessing the school website’.

Independent Schools

  • AIS ACT Member Schools. This page list all schools covered by the Association of Independent Schools in the ACT. Each school provides a range of information about their fees, e.g. here.

Uniform

ACT Education Directorate

Catholic Schools

  • Catholic Schools
    Find details of the school where you wish to enrol your child and confirm details regarding uniform specifications from them.

Independent Schools

  • AIS ACT Member Schools. This page lists all schools covered by the Association of Independent Schools in the ACT. Each school provides a range of information about uniforms, e.g. here.

Out of School Hours Care

  • Child Care Finder
    Search for Out of School Hours Care using the filter on the home page then enter an address, suburb or postcode in the search box. Select from the options provided. Australian Department of Education and Training. Check the Legend box on the map for information regarding vacancies and numbers of centres in the one area.
  • The Australian Child Care Index
    Search location then the alphabetical listings to find appropriate sites. The latter are indicated with the addition of the letters OSHC at the end of the relevant link.

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New South Wales

Helpful Information

Catholic Schools

Links are provided to the Catholic Schools Offices across the state. Enrolment information and contact details are found on each site. There is also a listing of schools within each diocese. Contact details can be used if further information is required. In most cases, these links open to pages relating to enrolment at all schools in the diocese.

Independent Schools

Links are provided to listings of independent schools across NSW. Individual schools provide contact details, Enrolment information and more for their individual school. Contact details can be used if further information is required.

  • AISNSW School Finder
    Filters include Member/Non-Member/Provisional, Boys and Girls/Boys /Girls; School Level; Religion; Alphabetical Index.You can also find information such as sporting links across groups of schools. An example of enrolment information from an independent school can be seen here and here.
  • Private Schools Guide - NSW Schools
    Link to a Schools Guide Magazine, Schools - Popular, Featured; Enrolment Vacancies, Ask Us, Open Day Information, School Enquiries Tool [including for (multiple) enrolment enquiries], Regional Listings, more.

NSW Department of Education

Minimum Age at Entry

 ‘Children can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5, on or before 31 July that year. By law, all children must be in compulsory schooling by their 6th birthday.
 When your child starts school is an individual decision. You may wish to discuss this with your child’s preschool teacher, carer, doctor or your local primary school.
 Your school will respond to the needs, learning styles and rates of progress of individual students’.

First Formal Year of School

Kindergarten

Special Circumstances

Make your child’s future school aware if he/she suffers from a mental or physical disability to assure appropriate placement and support.

  • Disability, Learning and Support
    ‘Disability Strategy; Personalised support for student learning; different levels; Programs and Services; Resources’ more.
  • NSW DE International Education
    ‘The enrolment of international students and the dependants of temporary residents from Pre School to Year 12 into government schools is handled by the international unit of the NSW Department of Education’.
  • Early enrolment is possible for gifted/talented students and other children with specific needs. Check with your child’s future school for details. Be sure you have up-to-date data on which to base an application.

Non-Local Enrolment

Available. You may apply at other schools. Available vacancies [school and/or year] will determine possible placement. Check this Out-of-Area Schools section of the Enrolment page for a summary. Contact individual schools to find their out-of-area policy.
Note : If the demand for local enrolment exceeds the number of places available, out-of-area enrolments will not be available.

Documentation Required

‘You will need the child’s :

 personal details;
 proof of residential address such as a council rates notice, electricity bill;
 Medicare number;
 medical details and health conditions;
 doctor’s details;
 emergency contact details;
 family law or court orders [if applicable];
 disability or other support needs, including any learning and support plans [if applicable].’

For children who have never enrolled in a NSW public school, you will also need their :

 birth certificate or identity documents;
 parent/carer’s details;
 residency status or visa number [if applicable];
 passport, travel documents or current visa [if applicable];
 Australian Childhood Immunisation Register [ACIR] immunisation history statement;
 Proof of address if applying for non-local school [and in some cases, your local school].

You can enrol a child without an immunisation history statement, but they may be instructed by Public Health officials to stay at home during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease.

The enrolment application form must be completed in English. Translations of the form are available to help you, if required.

Recommended

 Specific information relating to areas listed in the section above can be found as follows.
 Family Law Matters. This option, from those listed, provides a range of information.
 Any documentation relating to mental/physical conditions which may affect learning and/or require special support.
  Administering prescription medication covers ‘Self administration of prescribed medication by students; Emergency care; Non-prescribed medications; Legal liability’.
  Assisted School Travel Program information is found here.
 Check with your child’s future school for any further requirements.

Immunisation

 Immunisation Certificate from family doctor/hospital/local health centre as indicated in the Documentation Required section above.
 All Immunisation and your child details are found here.
 There is also a brochure from Health NSW which provides a detailed coverage of the requirements.

Orientation

Orientation is an accepted, normal component of enrolment. Check with your child’s future school regarding date[s] and time[s].

Travel Assistance

Financial

Catholic Schools

This link School Fees provides one example of these. A second link School Fees provides an example from another diocese. Other diocesan links can be found in the Helpful Information section above.

Independent Schools

  • Private Schools Guide - NSW Schools
    Link to a Schools Guide Magazine, Schools - Popular, Featured; Enrolment Vacancies, Ask Us, Open Day Information, School Enquiries Tool [including for (multiple) enrolment enquiries], Regional Listings, more. Individual school information on Fees [and scholarships] can usually be found for each school, as for example here and here.
  • AISNSW School Finder
    This site allows access to individual schools to gain information similar to that available through the link above.

NSW Department of Education

‘Schools may charge students for elective subjects that go beyond the minimum requirements of the curriculum’.

Excursions, travel for sport and other costs are paid by the student and their family. Discuss any of these with the school if there are difficulties with payment.

Uniform

Catholic Schools

  • Catholic Schools
    Find details of the school where you wish to enrol your child and confirm details regarding uniform specifications from them.

Independent Schools

NSW Department of Education

  • ‘Each school determines its own uniforms and dress standards. Most schools have a uniform or a colour code’. Check the School Uniform Information covering policies, decision-making and resources available here.

Out of School Hours Care

  • Many local and community programs operate across NSW, either at schools or local centres. Check with your child’s school about Outside School Hours Care [sometimes called Before and After School Care and Vacation Care].
  • Before and After School Care
    A brief statement from the Department of Education.
  • Child Care Finder
    Search for Out of School Hours Care using the filter on the home page then enter an address, suburb or postcode in the search box. Select from the options provided. Australian Department of Education and Training. Check the Legend box on the map for information regarding vacancies and numbers of centres in the one area.

  • Find a before and after school care provider
    ServiceNSW. ‘If you’re looking for before and after school care, we can help you find a provider at or near your child’s school. Select the “Find a provider” button. Enter your child’s school in the search box. Select the school from the search options. Select the search icon to display your result’.
  • Network of Community Activities
    ‘OOSH [Out of School Hours] covers services for school-age children before and after school and includes Vacation care’.
  • The Australian Child Care Index
    Search state areas to find appropriate OOSH sites.

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Northern Territory

Helpful Information

Catholic Schools

Independent Schools

  • Information for Parents [AISNT]
    ‘Most Independent Schools in the Northern Territory outline their enrolment procedures, school fees and have application forms on their website. Links to schools are provided’.
  • Private Schools Guide - NT Schools
    Link to a Schools Guide Magazine, Find schools by Map; Recently Updated Northern Territory Schools; Open Day Information; School Enquiries Tool [including for (multiple) enrolment enquiries]; more.

NT Department of Education

  • Enrolling students with Disability
    ‘This page has information on the criteria and the process for the enrolment of students in specialist schools and centres’. Links to related information.
  • Enrolment [Department of Education]
    Enrolment; Policy and Guidelines; Enrolment eligibility guidelines; Enrolment procedures; Enrolment enforcement guidelines; Enrolment management and priority enrolment guidelines; Enrolment in special schools and special centres; Enrolment in distance education guidelines; Application forms and information; more.
  • Enrol your Child at School
    Enrolment form; Priority enrolment; What do I need to enrol my child; Mature age students; Student transfers, Related Information [e.g. Choose a school].
  • New Online Enrolment Form
    ‘You can complete a student enrolment form either online or in person at your child’s school. If you complete the form online, you must attend your child’s school to have your signatures witnessed and to provide the required documentation. A student media consent form and other forms relevant to the school may be given to you at this time’.

Minimum Age at Entry

 ‘School is compulsory for all children from the age of six. Your child must be at school by their sixth birthday’.
 ‘To prepare your child for the compulsory years of school, you can enrol your child in preschool [or kindergarten] from the age of four. Your child can also attend transition class in primary school when they turn five’.
 ‘Preschool and transition are recommended but are not compulsory’.

First Formal Year of School

Children can attend Transition [see above] with Year 1 following on from this.

Special Circumstances

Make your child’s future school aware if he/she suffers from a mental or physical disability to assure appropriate placement and support.

  • About Special Education and Disability
    ‘Students with disability in the NT have a right to access a full and inclusive curriculum that meets individual needs. The Department of Education provides services to all students in NT government schools, and provides assistance in some areas to non-government schools. If your child has a disability you can access support services including specialist education advisors, specialised equipment and resources. The range of support services available cover all of the listed areas’.
  • Enrolling Students with Disability
    ‘To enrol in a specialist school or centre, your child must meet the listed enrolment criteria’ as provided for different schooling levels. Information is given about the Enrolment Process, Appealing a Decision plus links to related information.

Non-Local Enrolment

‘You can apply to enrol your child in a school of your choice, but priority is given to students living in the school’s priority enrolment area. If a school is approaching or has reached capacity, the school will decline applications from students who live outside its priority enrolment area’.

  • Priority Enrolment Area Maps
    ‘A school’s priority enrolment area is the residential area in a school’s catchment. Students residing within a priority enrolment area will have priority placement within the school over children who reside outside of the enrolment area. To search a priority enrolment area, select a region below and input your address using the search tool at the top left hand side of the page’, e.g. Darwin Region Primary Schools Map 2.

Documentation Required

‘When enrolling your child you will need all of the following’ :

 birth certificate or equivalent identification;
 proof of address;
 details of any medical conditions;
 emergency contact details;
 immunisation record;
 name of previous school [if appropriate]’.
 Check the next section for greater detail about each of these areas.

Recommended

 For more specific details linked to the above section, go to this page, scroll down the page and click on this section - What do I need to enrol my child.

Immunisation

‘You must provide a Medicare immunisation history statement or the child’s immunisation card to preschools and primary schools. Your child will not be prevented from enrolling in a primary school if they have not been immunised. If your child is a middle or secondary student, you are not required to provide a Medicare immunisation history statement’.

Orientation

Orientation is an accepted, normal component of enrolment. Check with your child’s future school regarding date[s] and time[s].

Travel Assistance

  • Financial help for isolated students
    Includes links to the ‘Student travel scheme; Mid term travel scheme; Remote area travel allowance; and Conveyance subsidy’ as part of the information package.
  • Getting to and from school
    ‘This page has information about school bus services for students including those with special needs and financial assistance with getting to and from school’.
  • Transport for students with special needs
    ‘This page has information on transport to and from school for students with special needs, the services provided, student eligibility, how to apply, notifying absences and changes to transport arrangements’.

Financial

Catholic Schools

  • Find A School
    ‘The term ‘school fees’ includes tuition fees, levies and charges. Each school assesses the school fees necessary to meet their individual school and community operation requirements. In doing this, they are firstly guided by the diocesan tuition fee set by the Catholic Education Council. The [listed] fees are for tuition only and each school will have their own levies in addition to the tuition fees’.

Independent Schools

NT Department of Education

‘Tuition for the standard curriculum program is provided free to all students in government schools. There are three areas where you may be requested to make a contribution. You may be asked to make a financial contribution or donation to your child’s school for a specific purpose. You are not obliged to contribute. Greater detail is found via the following’ link.

  • Back to school payment scheme
    ‘This page has information on the Back to School Payment Scheme, who can apply and how to claim the allowance. The payment provides financial assistance to parents and guardians of children enrolled in a Northern Territory school or registered for home-schooling’.
  • School Fees and Contributions
    ‘School fees and contributions; Educational items; Optional extra items; Voluntary financial contributions and donations; If you are unable to pay’.

Uniform

Catholic Schools

Independent Schools

  • AISNT
    Find details of the school where you wish to enrol your child and confirm details regarding uniform specifications from them, an example of which can be found here [select Enrolment/Uniform/School Level].

NT Department of Education

If your child attends a government school from Transition to Year 9 they must wear a school uniform whilst at school or attending official school activities during or after school hours. When your child transitions to a government senior secondary school they must follow the school’s dress code’.

Out of School Hours Care

‘Outside school hours care provides supervised care and recreation programs for primary school age children before and after school, school holidays and on pupil-free days. The services are generally located in primary schools but can also operate from child care centres or other community facilities’.

  • Child Care Finder
    Search for Out of School Hours Care using the filter on the home page then enter an address, suburb or postcode in the search box. Select from the options provided. Australian Department of Education and Training. Check the Legend box on the map for information regarding vacancies and numbers of centres in the one area.
  • The Australian Child Care Index
    Search territory areas to find appropriate sites. These are indicated with the addition of the letters OSHC at the end of the relevant link.

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Queensland

Helpful Information

Catholic Schools

Independent Schools

  • ISQ - Independent Schools Queensland
    The site has a separate section with Information for Parents; Find an independent school [a full listing and a search tool with multiple filters]; their Work with Schools; Media & Resources; more.

Queensland Department of Education

  • Choosing a school
    ‘In Queensland there are almost 1 300 state schools and over 450 independent and Catholic schools. The schools directory provides contact details for all state, independent and Catholic schools, including email and website addresses if available’.
  • Enrolling your child
    ‘Primary school enrolment; Preparing for the first day at school; Every day counts — including day 1; Secondary; Transition from primary to secondary school; Changing schools; Uniforms; Hours of operation; and Outside school hours care’.
  • Enrolment
    ‘Enrolment forms and details of school enrolment processes are generally published on school websites. Usually, a child can be enrolled a year ahead’. Starting school; Children with disability; Non-state schools; School Enrolment Management Plan. A second page, How to Enrol [Queensland Government] contains similar information.
  • Preparing your child for Prep
    This page provides a range of information to help your child start school with minimum difficulties. Another resource is Getting set for PREP while another provides Transition to school resources.
  • Starting school
    ‘Starting school is an important milestone in a child's life. By working together, early childhood services, schools, families and relevant community organisations can help children enjoy a great start to school. As a parent or carer there are lots of different ways you can help your child enjoy a great start to school’. Numerous tips are provided. There is also a Starting school brochure.

Minimum Age at Entry

 ‘Children can participate in Kindergarten programs in the year before they start Prep. This means children will be at least four years old by 30 June that year’.
 ‘Prep is the first year of schooling in Queensland. It is a full-time, school-based program and has a defined curriculum. It is compulsory for all Queensland children to undertake Prep prior to commencing Year 1. To enrol in Prep, children must be aged 5 years by 30 June in the year of proposed attendance’.
 Children must be six by 30 June in the year they enrol in Year 1.
 ‘A child is considered to be of compulsory school age from 6 years and 6 months’.
Further information on the Transition to school is found here.

First Formal Year of School

‘Prep is the first year of schooling in Queensland. It is a full-time, school-based program and has a defined curriculum. It is compulsory for all Queensland children to undertake Prep prior to commencing Year 1’.

Special Circumstances

  • Early and delayed entry to Prep
    ‘The decision about when a child enrols in Prep is extremely important and should be made in the child’s best educational interests to enable a positive and successful start to school’. This page details a number of options that may be encountered.
  • Considerations and application process for early entry to Prep
    A Fact Sheet detailing options and the process to follow.
  • Students with Disability
    This page provides information for this area. Make your child’s future school aware if he/she suffers from a mental or physical disability to assure appropriate placement and support. You can find a Brochure using this link.

Non-Local Enrolment

‘Parents are free to send their children to the school of their choice, depending on available places. Some schools have an enrolment management plan that means students may not be able to attend unless they live within the designated catchment zone’.

  • Schools are required to implement a School EMP when enrolments reach 80% of the school’s student enrolment capacity. A school’s student enrolment capacity is the number of students the school can accommodate within the existing learning spaces in the school. To enrol in a school that has a School EMP in place, students must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the School EMP’. Check details for School Enrolment Management Plans information here.
  • School Catchment Maps
    Contains these for all schools.

Documentation Required

‘When enrolling your child you will need all of the following’ :

 birth certificate or passport;
 information about child’s medical conditions, medication [if applicable] and doctor;
 Proof of your child’s immunisation status;
 any documentation that is required if the school has a School Enrolment Management Plan [e.g. a current lease agreement, rates notice, utility bill] for proof of residency;
 details of child’s previous education and care providers;
 details of any relevant Family Court orders or other court orders [if applicable];
 Information about any other languages that might be spoken at home’.
 Check the next section for greater detail about each of these areas.

Recommended

All documents as detailed in the section above.

 Contact the school and check the school website for any specific enrolment information and procedures including documents required for an enrolment interview;
Any documentation relating to mental/physical conditions that may affect learning and/or require special support.

Immunisation

 No specific requirements for enrolment, though immunisation is encouraged.
 ‘Parents must comply with a direction to keep children who are unvaccinated for a prescribed vaccine preventable condition away from a service [school] for a prescribed period’.

Orientation

Orientation is an accepted, normal component of enrolment. Check with your child’s future school regarding date[s] and time[s].

Travel Assistance

  • School Transport [Department of Transport and Main Roads]
    Includes information about ‘Assistance schemes; School Transport Information; Code of Conduct [Find out the rules that school students have to follow when travelling to school by bus]’.
  • School Transport Assistance Programs for Students with Disabilities
    ‘This procedure sets out the processes involved in assessing eligibility, arranging, reviewing and cancelling appropriate transport assistance for Queensland students with disabilities between their home and school’.
  • School Transport Assistance Scheme
    ‘The following information is a summary of STAS assistance available, terms and conditions and how to apply’.
  • Transport
    ‘The aim of the Queensland Government’s school transport assistance schemes is to assist parents without removing their personal responsibility for transporting their children to school’. Covers most of those above and has links to a range of information.

Financial

Catholic Schools

Independent Schools

  • ISQ - Independent Schools Queensland - Costs of independent schooling
    ‘Fees for independent schools can vary greatly. Many schools offer scholarships and bursaries for students whose parents are unable to pay full school fees. Some schools may also offer lump sum payments or discounts for siblings. Special Assistance Schools charge minimal or no fees to parents’. Examples of fees can be found by using their ISQ Search Tool. Two examples can be seen here and also here. You should also check for scholarships and other support by individual schools.

Queensland Department of Education

  • Financial Assistance
    ‘State schools provide free instruction, administration and facilities to students enrolled at state schools who are Australian citizens, permanent residents or children of Australian citizens or permanent residents. However, principals in conjunction with the school's parents and citizens’ association, are able to charge fees or ask for voluntary contributions from parents or caregivers to provide extra resources such as art materials or sporting equipment. The amount varies from school to school’.
  • Other Financial Assistance
    ‘Textbook and resource allowance; Transport assistance; Living Away From Home Allowances Scheme; Queensland Academies Isolated Student Bursary; Commonwealth Government assistance; Further information’.
  • Support for rural and remote school communities
    ‘The listed assistance and programs may be available for schools and students in rural and remote locations’.

Uniform

Catholic Schools

Independent Schools

  • ISQ - Independent Schools Queensland - Find an Independent School
    Most schools have specific uniform requirements. Many have uniform supplies available directly from the school. Use the School Finder to select the school you are interested in and then check the individual school for uniform information;. Examples of uniforms and uniform information can be found through examples seen here and also here.

Queensland Department of Education

‘School communities in conjunction with their Parents and Citizens’ association decide on a student dress code’.

  • Student Dress Code
    Details of the procedure for establishing a dress code are found here.

Out of School Hours Care

  • Before and After School Care
    Information from the Queensland Government.
  • Child Care Finder
    Search for Out of School Hours Care using the filter on the home page then enter an address, suburb or postcode in the search box. Select from the options provided. Australian Department of Education and Training. Check the Legend box on the map for information regarding vacancies and numbers of centres in the one area.
  • The Australian Child Care Index
    Search the state or use an alphabetical listing to find appropriate sites. The latter are indicated with the addition of the letters OSHC at the end of the relevant link.

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Last updated - 10 August 2020.

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