Enrolment & Transfer Tips

Queensland

Preparatory Year

As of the year 2007 a full-time Preparatory year will replace the part-time Preschool programme currently in place. The Preparatory year is not compulsory. Parents wanting to enrol their child/ren will need to contact the school they are interested in directly. The child will need to have turned five years of age by 30 June in the year they enrol. For further information visit: www.education.qld.gov.au

Primary School

A child will need to have turned five by the 31st of December of the year prior in order to be enrolled in Year 1 in January. As of 2008 a child will need to be six by 30 June of the year they enrol for Year 1. For further information see www.education.qld.gov.au. There is provision under certain circumstances where children may be enrolled at a younger age.

Enrolments are made by contacting the particular school directly. For children beginning Year 1, the school will require proof of age by sighting such documents as a birth certificate, passport or visa.

Secondary School

Students are able to enrol in the first year of secondary school, Year 8, after completion of seven years of primary education. Parents may enrol a child in their local secondary school by contacting the school directly.

Transferring to another school

As of 1st January 2006 a new system for transferring student information has come into effect. It will be utilized on a national basis.

It is call the ISDTN - Interstate Student Data Transfer Note and is joint initiative between State and Territory Education Departments and the Federal Government as well as independent and catholic education organizations. All educational authorities have agreed to utilize this system to allow a more seamless transfer of student information from state to state.

The ISDTN will also allow the student transferring from another state to be placed in the environment most suitable to their ability.

Further ISDTN information is available on the MCEETYA website.

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New South Wales

Kindergarten

By contacting the school directly a parent can ascertain what enrollment forms need to be filled out and whether or not the school has an Orientation Day for children starting the following year. Examples of these forms can be downloaded from www.det.nsw.edu.au. Orientation proves a wonderful opportunity for families and students to familiarize themselves with the school as well as meet fellow classmates.

Primary School

In NSW there are a range of guidelines that both Primary and Secondary school principals must adhere to when considering out-of-area enrolments. Parents are able to request a copy of the selection criteria. State schools must try and ensure that all children within their catchment area wishing to attend are accommodated.

Secondary School

High school or secondary school commences in year 7 and goes through to year 12 in New South Wales. A parent/carer will need to nominate their child's secondary school of choice in the first half of their child's Year 6. Parents may choose the closest secondary school to home or another school out of their area that specializes in a certain academic, creative, sporting or artistic area particularly appropriate for their child.

Transferring to another school

As of 1st January 2006 a new system for transferring student information has come into effect. It will be utilized on a national basis.

It is call the ISDTN - Interstate Student Data Transfer Note and is joint initiative between State and Territory Education Departments and the Federal Government as well as independent and catholic education organizations. All educational authorities have agreed to utilize this system to allow a more seamless transfer of student information from state to state.

The ISDTN will also allow the student transferring from another state to be placed in the environment most suitable to their ability.

Further ISDTN information is available on the MCEETYA website.

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Victoria

Preparatory Year

Children starting school must be five years of age or older by 30 May of the year they start the Prep Year. The majority of schools conduct a starting school program for students beginning the Preparatory Year. Towards the end of the year prior to commencing, parents and children are invited to visit their new school. This is an ideal opportunity for viewing the environment and school grounds.

Primary School

Enrolments are generally taken in May each year, for the following year. Children must be six or older by 30 May the year they commence year one.

You will need to provide proof of your child's date of birth and supply important contact information eg emergency contacts, parents work and mobile numbers, doctor's name and number etc.

Certain medical information is required eg allergies, asthma as well as their immunization history.

Many primary schools conduct an orientation day for pre-school students. Further information look up: www.det.vic.gov.au

Secondary School

A parent/carer will need to nominate their child's secondary school of choice in the first half of their child's Year 6. Parents may choose the closest secondary school to home or another school out of their area that specializes in a certain academic, creative, sporting or artistic area particularly appropriate for their child

Often times a certain school catchment area may make your child ineligible to attend their school of choice so it is important that these avenues are investigated early on in the year prior. Parents are encouraged to attend information sessions at local schools to assist them to choose a school for their child.

Parents of Year 6 students will be asked to complete enrolment forms for the secondary school of their choice early in the year. This enables secondary schools to plan for the following year. Your child's Year 6 coordinator can help you with questions and the appropriate paperwork.

As part of the transition from Year 6 to Year 7, students in government secondary schools participate in an orientation day. All government schools hold this orientation day on the same day (often the second Tuesday of December). It may include a school tour, meeting fellow students and teachers, and taking part in special lessons and activities. For further information try www.education.vic.gov.au

Transferring to another school

As of 1st January 2006 a new system for transferring student information has come into effect. It will be utilized on a national basis.

It is call the ISDTN - Interstate Student Data Transfer Note and is joint initiative between State and Territory Education Departments and the Federal Government as well as independent and catholic education organizations. All educational authorities have agreed to utilize this system to allow a more seamless transfer of student information from state to state.

The ISDTN will also allow the student transferring from another state to be placed in the environment most suitable to their ability.

Further ISDTN information is available on the MCEETYA website.

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Tasmania

Kindergarten

A child may start Kindergarten year in Tasmania at four years of age as long as their fourth birthday was on or before 1 January in the year they start. Early entry may be gained in certain circumstances for example gifted children or children moving to Tasmania from interstate. For further information visit: www.education.tas.gov.au

Primary School

Enrolments will need to be organized from tern two in the year prior to your child starting primary school. Some schools will advertise in newspapers the dates of when they will be receiving enrolments.

The majority of primary schools will hold information sessions for parents and children to make the transition a lot smoother for all parties.

Often times school catchment area guidelines may make your child ineligible to attend your school of choice so it is important that these avenues are investigated early on in the year prior. Parents are encouraged to attend information sessions at local schools to assist them to choose a school for their child.

You will need to provide proof of your child's date of birth and supply important contact information eg emergency contacts, parents work and mobile numbers, doctors name and number etc.

Certain medical information is required eg allergies, asthma as well as their immunization history.

If there are any court orders in place affecting your child, you will need to provide the school with details and relevant documentation.

Secondary School

It is a sensible idea to familiarize yourself with the school you are intending to enroll your child in for Secondary. This is done by contacting the school ideally six to twelve months prior. This way you will have the opportunity to meet staff and other students, and gather information about curriculum. It is compulsory that students in Tasmania attend school until 16 years of age.

Transferring to another school

As of 1st January 2006 a new system for transferring student information has come into effect. It will be utilized on a national basis.

It is call the ISDTN - Interstate Student Data Transfer Note and is joint initiative between State and Territory Education Departments and the Federal Government as well as independent and catholic education organizations. All educational authorities have agreed to utilize this system to allow a more seamless transfer of student information from state to state.

The ISDTN will also allow the student transferring from another state to be placed in the environment most suitable to their ability.

Further ISDTN information is available on the MCEETYA website.

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South Australia

Reception

Children will commence their first year at Primary School or ‘Reception' in the term immediately after they have turned five. For example if your child's fifth birthday was in March they would begin Reception in the second term.

Primary School

All enquiries should be made directly to the school of your choice. Often times school catchment area guidelines may make your child ineligible to attend your school of choice so it is important that these avenues are investigated early on in the year prior. Parents are encouraged to attend information sessions at local schools to assist them to choose a school for their child.

You will need to provide proof of your child's date of birth and supply important contact information eg emergency contacts, parents work and mobile numbers, doctors name and number etc. Look up for further information : www.decs.sa.gov.au

Secondary School

Primary schools will distribute an enrolment package to all Year 7 students by the end of the last week of term 1. It is compulsory by law that students in South Australia attend school until 16 years of age.

An Application for Enrolment in year 8 (available from your primary school principal) form must be completed together with the school in your district you have chosen your child to attend. Alternately you may choose up to three other secondary schools in order of preference.

Even if your child has applied to attend a school with a special interest course or a non-government school, this form should still be completed. In case your application is unsuccessful, this ensures s that there will still be a place for your child in the district secondary school.

Transferring to another school

As of 1st January 2006 a new system for transferring student information has come into effect. It will be utilized on a national basis.

It is call the ISDTN - Interstate Student Data Transfer Note and is joint initiative between State and Territory Education Departments and the Federal Government as well as independent and catholic education organizations. All educational authorities have agreed to utilize this system to allow a more seamless transfer of student information from state to state.

The ISDTN will also allow the student transferring from another state to be placed in the environment most suitable to their ability.

Further ISDTN information is available on the MCEETYA website.

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Northern Territory

Pre-school

Preschool is not compulsory in the Northern Territory. Children can attend government preschools from the age of four. At some non-government preschools, children can start earlier than this. Most preschools accept new students at the start of each term.

Primary School

By law children must be enrolled in school from the ages of 6 through to 15.

Children who turn five before 30 June may be enrolled in a primary school to enter Transition. This is the first stage of primary school in NT. On beginning transition children are five years of age of or five soon after. They will often enter Transition mid-term. This is reliant on their birthdays as well as the numbers of other children in that age group. Children are in Transition for up to 12 months then move into Year 1 when together both the school and parents agree they are fully prepared.

While schools may have a continuous intake during Terms 1 and 2, the final intake of children into primary school will be Week 1 of Semester 2.

Secondary School

Secondary School in the Northern Territory encompasses years eight to twelve. However, in Alice Springs, secondary school starts in Year 7. By law students are required to attend school until the age of 15, which is usually during Year 10.

Parents are encouraged to consider the school which best suits their child/ren. If however a government school is full or almost full, children from the school's catchment area will be given priority.

In 2007 the Northern Territory is introducing a Middle School system for years 7-9 and high school will be years 10-12. For further information look up: www.det.nt.gov.au

Transferring to another school

As of 1st January 2006 a new system for transferring student information has come into effect. It will be utilized on a national basis.

It is call the ISDTN - Interstate Student Data Transfer Note and is joint initiative between State and Territory Education Departments and the Federal Government as well as independent and catholic education organizations. All educational authorities have agreed to utilize this system to allow a more seamless transfer of student information from state to state.

The ISDTN will also allow the student transferring from another state to be placed in the environment most suitable to their ability.

Further ISDTN information is available on the MCEETYA website.

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ACT

Preparatory Year

Preschool is not compulsory in the Northern Territory. Children can attend government preschools from the age of four. At some non-government preschools, children can start earlier than this. Most preschools accept new students at the start of each term.

Pre-School

In 2006 all children who turn four on or before 30 April in the year of enrolment will attend 12 hours preschool per week.

Primary School

All five year olds and children turning five on or before 30 April enroll at the beginning of the year.

Primary schools place a major emphasis on teaching children the basic skills of reading, writing, language, and mathematics. The arts, languages other than English, social education programs, health, and physical recreation also play important roles in primary education programs. Further information available at: www.decs.act.gov.au

Secondary School

Close contact is maintained between high schools and primary schools so that students make a smooth academic, personal and social transition between sectors

Transferring to another school

As of 1st January 2006 a new system for transferring student information has come into effect. It will be utilized on a national basis.

It is call the ISDTN - Interstate Student Data Transfer Note and is joint initiative between State and Territory Education Departments and the Federal Government as well as independent and catholic education organizations. All educational authorities have agreed to utilize this system to allow a more seamless transfer of student information from state to state.

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Western Australia

Preparatory Year

Attendance at Kindergarten/Pre-Primary is not compulsory in Western Australia.

A child will attend Kindergarten if he or she has turned four years old by 30 June the year they commence.

On the other hand a child will commence Pre-primary if he or she will turn five years old by 30 June of that year.

Parents/carers must complete an ‘Application for Enrolment' form to confirm a place in either the Kindergarten or Pre-Primary program. These forms are available from your local school or community kindergarten.

You will need to provide proof of your child's age and residence status on this application form. This evidence can be taken in the form of:

• a birth certificate or extract of birth or passport
• proof of residential address (e.g. rates bill or telephone bill).

Other documentation you need to provide when making an application includes:

• immunisation records
• any Family Court orders.

Primary School

The majority of children enrolling in WA primary schools for year one will have attended kindergarten and/or pre-primary. Upon completing their 7th year of primary school they transfer to secondary schools for Years 8 to 12. For further information look up: www.det.wa.edu.au

Secondary School

Upon completing their 7th year of primary school they transfer to secondary schools for Years 8 to 12. It is compulsory to attend school until the age of fifteen. in all states and territories except for South Australia and Tasmania, where attendance is compulsory until age 16.

Transferring to another school

As of 1st January 2006 a new system for transferring student information has come into effect. It will be utilized on a national basis.

It is call the ISDTN - Interstate Student Data Transfer Note and is joint initiative between State and Territory Education Departments and the Federal Government as well as independent and catholic education organizations. All educational authorities have agreed to utilize this system to allow a more seamless transfer of student information from state to state.

The ISDTN will also allow the student transferring from another state to be placed in the environment most suitable to their ability.

Further ISDTN information is available on the MCEETYA website.

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