Australian Capital Territory: preschool services
Preschools:
- are known as preschools or early learning centres
- are for children who turn 4 years old by 1 May in the year before starting school
- are mostly government owned and run
- operate close to or on school sites, or next to child care centres
- have no fees, but usually have a voluntary contribution levy.
For more information, visit ACT Department of Education – Enrolling in preschool.
New South Wales: preschool services
Preschools:
- are known as preschools
- are for children who turn 4 years old before 1 August in the year before starting school
- mostly operate as stand-alone services like community preschools, or as preschool programs in long day care or early learning centres
- might be offered as school-based programs attached to government-run primary schools
- usually charge fees, which are set by providers
- sometimes offer flexible hours for working parents.
For more information, visit NSW Department of Education – Starting preschool.
Northern Territory: preschool services
Preschools:
- are known as preschools
- are normally for children who turn 4 years old in the year before starting school, although there are exceptions for children who live in very remote areas
- are mostly attached to schools
- are mostly government owned and run
- have no fees
- sometimes offer flexible hours for working parents
- might offer bus services in some areas.
For more information, visit NT Government – About child care services.
Queensland: preschool services
Preschools:
- are known as kindergartens
- are for children who turn 4 years old by 30 June in the year before starting school
- operate as either stand-alone services, or in long day care centres run by community organisations or non-government schools
- mostly operate close to, or on, school sites
- have fees, which are set by providers
- offer some remote and distance education services.
For more information, visit Queensland Government – About approved kindergarten programs.
South Australia: preschool services
Preschools:
- are known as preschools, kindergartens, early learning centres or centres for early childhood development and parenting
- are for children who turn 4 before 1 May in the year before starting school
- are mostly government owned and run but can be run by community or private organisations
- can be stand-alone services or located in schools or alongside other early learning services
- have no fees when they are government owned, but some ask for a voluntary contribution levy
- offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children access from 3 years of age.
For more information, visit SA Government – Preschool and kindergarten services.
Tasmania: preschool services
Preschools:
- are known as kindergartens
- are for children who turn 4 years old before or on 1 January in the year before starting school
- are mostly government owned and run
- have no fees
- are located in schools and linked to the school system.
For more information, visit Tasmanian Department of Education – Kindergarten.
Victoria: preschool services
Preschools:
- are known as preschools, kindergartens or preschool programs in long day care centres
- are for children who turn 4 years old before or on 30 April in the year before starting school
- are available in some areas to 3-year-olds – to see whether this is available in your area, visit Victorian Department of Education and Training – Three-year-old kindergarten
- are mostly run as stand-alone centres
- have fees
- are often managed by parent committees
- are offered as mobile services in remote areas.
For more information on preschools in Victoria, visit Victorian Department of Education and Training – Child care and kindergarten.
Western Australia: preschool services
Preschools:
- are known as kindergartens
- are for children who turn 4 years old before or on 30 June in the year before starting school
- are mostly government owned and run
- operate within schools and in the community
- offer bus services
- have no fees.
You’ll need to provide evidence of your child’s immunisation status for preschool enrolment. You can read more about this in our article on immunisation in childhood.