School starting, attending, and finishing ages
Starting school
Children are encouraged to attend Kindergarten from 4 years of age.
Attending school
Children 5 to 17 years of age must be enrolled and attend school or an approved home education program.
Finishing school
Young people need to stay in education or training until:
- they finish Year 12
- receive a Certificate III or
- reach the minimum leaving age of 18
whichever comes first.
After Year 10, a young person can choose any of the following education and training options, or a combination of these options (if they are offered by the provider):
- Years 11 and 12 at any government or non-government school or college, or tertiary provider – this may include an Australian School-based Apprenticeship
- a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification through any registered training organisation
- an apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer.
Young people with full-time employment, or other specific circumstances, can apply for an exemption to allow them to leave education and training.
Before Kindergarten
Visit the Great Start website to find out about our programs and services for young children!
Find our more about our Early Years learning programs.
Kindergarten
- Kindergartens are play-based learning led by a registered teacher guided by the Early Years Learning Framework.
- If your child is 4 years old on or by 1 January in any year, they can go to Kindergarten.
- Your child will be able to attend Kindergarten for 15 hours a week.
- Sessions may be a half day or full day, depending on what the school offers.
Exemption from attending compulsory school
- If your child has participated in pre-school activities (such as Launching into Learning/Kindergarten) and you don’t think they are ready for compulsory school (Prep) at age 5, you should discuss options with the principal at your local school.
- In specific individual circumstances, young people can seek an exemption from the requirement for compulsory education and training by completing the Application for Exemption from Attending School Form (PDF, 501KB).
Alternatives to Kindergarten at age four
Skipping Kindergarten
A parent may choose not to enrol their child in Kindergarten at the age of four. This is not the preferred option as the child may miss out on the benefits of accessing a Kindergarten education program. For children enrolled in ECIS, this also means they will miss out on support to transition to school, because ECIS is not able to provide service when a child is eligible for Kindergarten.
If a child does not attend Kindergarten, then enrolment in prep by the time they have turned 5 years of age is required. Where a family chooses not to access a Kindergarten year, the first year of formal schooling will be when the child is enrolled in prep.
Later enrolment in Kindergarten
Families seeking to enrol their child in Kindergarten (rather than in prep) at the age of 5 must submit an application for this using the Application for exemption from Attending School (PDF, 501KB).
Home education
- Under the Education Act 2016, parents can use educational choice to register as home educators. This means they assume responsibility for delivering education to their children during their compulsory years of schooling.
- The registration of home education is managed by the Office of the Education Registrar (OER).
- To find out more, visit the OER website or call 6165 6135.
Where can I get more information?
- For more information about when a child can start or leave school– talk to your child’s teacher or principal.
- For information about requirements to participate in education and training – visit the Education and Training after Year 10 page.