Primary School Education in Australia

Q: What is the difference between government and private primary schools?

Government (public) primary schools are funded by the state/territory government and are free to attend for Australian residents. Catholic schools receive both government and Catholic education commission funding and charge low-to-moderate fees. Independent (private) schools are privately operated with higher fees and greater variation in curriculum and philosophy.

Q: How long is primary school in Australia?

Primary school in Australia spans from Foundation Year (Prep/Kindy) through to Year 6, covering approximately 7 years of schooling for ages 5–12. In some states like South Australia and Queensland, primary school ends after Year 7.

Overview

Primary school in Australia provides 7 years of foundational education — from Foundation Year (also called Prep, Kindy or Reception depending on the state) through to Year 6. It covers ages 5 to 12 and forms the educational bedrock upon which all future learning is built.

All Australian primary schools follow the Australian Curriculum, a nationally consistent framework that sets the content and achievement standards for all subjects. Delivered across government, Catholic, and independent schools, primary education is compulsory and free in the government sector for Australian residents.

Age Range

Ages 5–12, starting at Foundation/Prep Year through to Year 6.

Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum — 8 key learning areas, Foundation to Year 6.

NAPLAN

National standardised assessments in Years 3 and 5 (Literacy & Numeracy).

School Sectors

Government (~65%), Catholic (~20%), and Independent (~15%) schools.

Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum in Primary School

The Australian Curriculum is implemented in all states and territories (with some local adaptations). Primary school students study 8 key learning areas:

English — Reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing across all year levels.
Mathematics — Number and algebra, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability.
Science — Biological, chemical, physical, and Earth & space sciences through inquiry.
HASS — Humanities and Social Sciences: history, geography, civics and economics.
The Arts — Dance, drama, media arts, music, and visual arts.
Technologies — Design and technology, digital technologies.
Health & PE — Physical, social, mental health and wellbeing education.
Languages — Schools may offer languages such as Mandarin, Italian, Japanese, French, or Indigenous languages.

NAPLAN in Primary School

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is sat by all students in Years 3 and 5. Since 2023, NAPLAN takes place in Term 1. Results are reported on a proficiency scale and shared with parents, schools, and the public (via the My School website). NAPLAN is one data point — it does not determine a student's educational path.

School Sectors

Choosing Between Government, Catholic and Independent Schools

Sector	Fees	Curriculum	Ethos	% of Students
Government	Free (residents)	State + Australian Curriculum	Secular, inclusive	~65%
Catholic	Low–moderate	Australian Curriculum + faith	Values-based, community	~20%
Independent	Moderate–high	Australian Curriculum + school philosophy	Varied (Montessori, Steiner, faith, elite)	~15%

All schools — regardless of sector — must implement the Australian Curriculum and meet ACARA and state education authority standards. The choice between sectors is ultimately about values, culture, fees and proximity.

By State

Primary School Years by State & Territory

State	First Year Name	Primary Years	Entry Age	Ends at
NSW	Kindergarten	K–Year 6	5 (by 31 Jul)	Year 6
VIC	Prep	Prep–Year 6	5 (by 30 Apr)	Year 6
QLD	Prep	Prep–Year 6	5 (by 30 Jun)	Year 6
WA	Pre-primary	Pre-Primary–Year 6	5 (by 30 Jun)	Year 6
SA	Reception	Reception–Year 6	5 (rolling intake)	Year 6
TAS	Prep	Prep–Year 6	5	Year 6
ACT	Kindergarten	K–Year 6	5 (by 30 Apr)	Year 6
NT	Transition	Transition–Year 6	5	Year 6

Parent Tips

Choosing the Right Primary School

What to Consider

Location & catchment — Government schools enrol by zone; check your address at your state's education department website.
School culture — Visit on an open day and speak with the principal and teachers about the school's values and approach.
NAPLAN & My School data — Use myschool.edu.au to compare NAPLAN performance and ICSEA (socio-educational advantage) scores.
Extracurricular programs — Sports, arts, STEM clubs, and language programs enrich the primary experience.
Special needs support — Ask about learning support teachers, integration aides, and disability inclusion programs.
Enrol early — Catholic and independent schools can have 1–3 year waitlists. Government schools accept enrolments up to 6 months before start date.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions — Primary School

What age do children start primary school in Australia?

Children typically start primary school (Foundation/Prep Year) at age 5 in most Australian states and territories. The exact age cutoff varies: NSW by 31 July, VIC by 30 April, QLD by 30 June. Schooling becomes compulsory between ages 5–6 depending on the state.

What is the Australian Curriculum?

The Australian Curriculum is a national framework covering Foundation to Year 10. It sets content and achievement standards across 8 key learning areas: English, Mathematics, Science, HASS, The Arts, Technologies, Health & PE, and Languages. Each state may make minor local adaptations.

What is NAPLAN and when do primary students sit it?

NAPLAN is a national standardised assessment sat by all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Primary students sit it in Years 3 and 5. Since 2023, NAPLAN runs in Term 1 (March). It tests reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy.

What is the difference between government and private primary schools?

Government primary schools are funded by the state and are free to attend for Australian residents. Catholic schools receive government and Catholic education funding and charge low-to-moderate fees. Independent schools are privately operated with higher fees and greater variation in philosophy and curriculum approach.

How long is primary school in Australia?

Primary school spans approximately 7 years — from Foundation/Prep through to Year 6, covering ages 5–12. In most states this is followed by Year 7 in secondary school, though in some schools (Combined K-12) Year 7 remains in the primary campus.

Can I choose any primary school for my child?

For government schools, enrolment is generally based on your local catchment zone, though out-of-zone applications are considered if places are available. Catholic and independent schools set their own enrolment criteria, which may include faith affiliation, sibling priority, and their own waitlists.

Primary School in Australia