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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 – Find schools, preschools and other 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 Government – Give your child the best start
  • 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 Government: Education – information for parents.

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.

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