School Age Calculator Australia
Enter state and date of birth below to determine year of entry into primary and secondary school
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Child starts school in
[1st Year] in
--[2nd Year] in
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Grade Level Year of Entry
| School Stage | Grade Level | Entry Year |
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Key School Information: --
| School Characteristic | Requirement |
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School Ages and Grades in Australia
The education system in Australia commences with early learning or pre-school, followed Primary school up to year 6, followed by High School between years 7 to 12. The school year starts in January each year.
While the education program is standard around the country, each State and Territory government determines individual entry requirements and the curriculum so there are some differences to be aware of when comparing States.
Preschool consists of a three year old kindergarten program followed by a four year old program which students attend prior to starting school.
School Age
In Australia students in Kindergarten are between 3-5 years old. In the first year of school (usually called Prep, Kindy or Transition) students start the school year at 5 or 6 years old.
Students finish primary school in year 6 at the age of 11 or 12 years old. Students start secondary school in Year 7 at 12 to 13 years old.
How Old Are You in Each School Grade?
| School Stage | Grade Level | Student Age |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | Kindergarten | 4 - 5 years old |
| Primary | Prep/Kindy/Transition | 5 - 6 years old |
| Primary | Year 1 | 6 - 7 years old |
| Primary | Year 2 | 7 - 8 years old |
| Primary | Year 3 | 8 - 9 years old |
| Primary | Year 4 | 9 - 10 years old |
| Primary | Year 5 | 10 - 11 years old |
| Primary | Year 6 | 11 - 12 years old |
| High School | Year 7 | 12 - 13 years old |
| High School | Year 8 | 13 - 14 years old |
| High School | Year 9 | 14 - 15 years old |
| High School | Year 10 | 15 - 16 years old |
| High School | Year 11 | 16 - 17 years old |
| High School | Year 12 | 17 - 18 years old |
High School Graduation
Students in the Ausralia will usually commence their final year, Year 12, at the age of 17 or 18 years old. At the end of the school year most students are 18 years when they graduate. Use the tool above to calculate the year of high school graduation.
School Entry Requirements
Students are generally eligible to enter primary school if they turn 5 years old before a certain cut-off date during the year.
Most states have a compulsory school age of 6 years old, meaning in some cases parents can decide to delay their child's entry into school until the following year when they turn 6. Further detail about the respective state and territory education programs and entry requirements are outlined below.
New South Wales (NSW)
Prior to starting school in NSW children attend Preschool. The first year of primary school is known as Kindergarten or Kindy, followed by Year 1. To attend school in NSW the student must be 5 years old by 31st of July. Students born after this date between August and December will start in the following year. High school commences in year 7, the same as all other states.
Victoria (Vic)
Preschool in Victoria is known as kindergarten, with students completing a three year old program, followed by four year old program prior to entering school. The first year of primary school is known as Prep, followed by Year 1.
To attend school in a given year the student must be five years old by 30th of April. Students born between May and December will start in the following year.
Western Australia (WA)
Preschool in Western Australia is known as kindergarten, with students completing a three year old program, followed by four year old program prior to entering school. The first year of primary school is known as pre-primary or prep, followed by year 1.
To attend school in WA the student must be 5 years old by 30th of June. Students born between July and December will start in the following year. High school commences in grade 7, the same as all other states.
Queensland (Qld)
Preschool in Queensland is known as kindergarten, with students completing a three year old program, followed by four year old program prior to entering school. The first year of primary school is known as prep, followed by year 1.
To attend school in a given year the student must be five years old by 30th of June. Students born after this date between July and December will start in the following year. High school commences in grade 7, the same as all other states.
South Australia (SA)
The first year of school in South Australia is known as Reception. Children must be 5 years old by the 1st of May to attend school in that year. Prior to primary school, children attend preschool which is usually referred to as kindergarten.
Tasmania (Tas)
Tasmania is different to most other states in that a preschool program is provided as part of the schooling system prior to the first year of school. This is usually known as kinder or kindergarten and the child will attend school for three days per week, either full or half days depending on the school.
The cutoff age for school follows the calendar year, so all children who 4 four at any point in the year are eligible to attend kinder from January in that year. Kinder is not mandatory but the majority of children do attend.
Following Kinder, the first year of school is called Prep followed by Grade 1. All children must be enrolled in Prep in the year they turn 5.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT))
The first year of school in ACT is Transition. Children must be 5 years old by the 30th of April to attend school in that year. Children born after this date will attend in the following year.
Northern Territory (NT)
Northern Territory is similar to Tasmania in that is the only other State to provide a preschool program as part of primary school. Children who turn 4 by the 30th June are eligible to attend Preschool at the start of the year.
The first official year of school in Northern Territory is known as Transition. Children who turn 5 years old by 30th of June can attend Transition, which is then followed by Year 1.
