education - qld
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education in queensland
Children's education in Queensland is currently organised as follows:

  • Pre-Prepages 3-4
  • Prepages 4-5
  • Primary schoolages 5-12      Years 1-7
  • Secondary/High schoolages 12-15    Years 8-10
    ages 15-17    Years 11-12


The school year runs from January to December.

School is compulsory, by law, between the ages of 6 and 15, ie from Years 1-10 (inclusive).
Pre-prep and prep, and the final two years of High School (Years 11-12) are optional.

Education in state schools is free. Non-state schools and pre-preps are generally fee paying.

Further information on state schools, from prep onwards, is available from the organisations detailed in the more info section at the bottom of the page.

pre-prep & prep
Attendance in pre-prep and prep is not compulsory, but provides an opportunity for you to introduce your child to a school environment. Pre-preps are usually on a two- or three-day-a-week basis and preps are usually full-time.

Pre-preps accept children from age 3. Usually community based with fees payable, pre-preps offer education classes and learning facilities. Some pre-preps operate prep years also. Pre-preps can get heavily booked and if you wish to enrol your child you should register your interest as early as possible (even from birth) by contacting your preferred facility directly.

A complete list of community pre-preps from C&K (formerly known as Creche and Kindergarten Association) can be viewed on their website. Alternatively, you can search for facilities based on location and other criteria here on the Queensland Department of Families website.

Prep is for children from ages 4-5 and the following options are available:

  • state preps
  • independent preps
  • community preps

Attendance at state preps is free. A search facility for state prep locations is available via the Schools Directory section of the Education Queensland website. Your child can be added to the enrolment list for a state prep by calling your preferred school from March in the year that your child turns 3.

Independent pre-schools are usually attached to a main independent school. View the online Association of Independent Schools Queensland schools website for locations and contact details, or call (07) 3228 1515 to have a list sent to you. Or contact the Archdiocese of Brisbane Catholic Education on (07) 3840 0400 or search their schools directory online. Details are also available via the Schools Directory section of the Education Queensland website. It is recommended that you contact the individual facilities directly to request details of the enrolment policy. Some will take names for the waiting list from birth. Some require a fee to be paid before your child is added to their waiting list.

Community pre-schools are not government controlled, but do receive some grants from the state. Fees are still payable but are generally lower than commercial and private facilities. Community pre-schools are non-profit organisations and all fees go towards the running of the school and the facilities provided. For a full list of community pre-schools in your region, visit C&K (formerly known as Creche and Kindergarten Association) website or call (07) 3552 5333 or tollfree on 1800 177 092. Community pre-schools are very popular and you should put your child on a waiting list as early as possible after birth. For enrolment policy details, contact the individual facilities directly.

More detailed information on other facilities for children below pre-school age, such as child care, family day care and community childcare centres is contained within the child care page of this website and nannies & babysitters page.

primary school
Primary schools provide the first seven years of compulsory education. A full list of state primary schools is available via the Schools Directory section of the Education Queensland website.

Your child can be enroled at your local state school from late January in the year that they turn 5 by contacting the school directly.

For independent schools, search the online Association of Independent Schools Queensland schools website for locations and contact details, or call (07) 3228 1515 to have a list sent to you. Or contact the Archdiocese of Brisbane Catholic Education on (07) 3840 0400 or search their schools directory online. Details are also available via the Schools Directory section of the Education Queensland website. It is recommended that you contact the individual facilities directly to request details of the enrolment policy. Some will take names for the waiting list from birth. Some require a fee to be paid before your child is added to their waiting list.

secondary/high school
Secondary schools provide a further three years of compulsory education (Years 8-10) and two years of post-compulsory education (Years 11-12). A full list of state secondary schools is available via the Schools Directory section of the Education Queensland website.

For independent schools, search the online Association of Independent Schools Queensland schools website for locations and contact details, or call (07) 3228 1515 to have a list sent to you. Or contact the Archdiocese of Brisbane Catholic Education on (07) 3840 0400 or search their schools directory online. It is recommended that you contact the individual facilities directly to request details of the enrolment policy. Some will take names for the waiting list from birth. Some require a fee to be paid before your child is added to their waiting list.

special schools and/or special needs
If your child has special needs, the Schools Directory of the Education Queensland website has details of special schools in the region or call (07) 3237 0111 for more advice.

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more information

Education Queensland

  • website
  • ph: (07) 3237 0111 (general)
  • ph: (07) 3237 1180 (recorded info, such as term & vacation dates)


Association of Independent Schools in Queensland


Archdiocese of Brisbane Catholic Education


C&K (formerly known as Creche and Kindergarten Association)

  • website
  • ph: (07) 3552 5333 or tollfree on 1800 177 092


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