education - wa
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Children's education in WA is currently organised as follows:

  • Kindergartenages 3 or 4 (attend if they are 4 by June 30 of that year)
  • Pre-primaryages 4 or 5 (attend if they are 5 by June 30 of that year)
  • Primary schoolages 6-12      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).
Kindergarten, pre-primary, and the final two years of High School (Years 11-12) are optional. However, all young people, in Western Australia, in their 16th and 17th years must be in education, training or employment.
Education in state schools is free. Non-state schools and kindergartens are generally fee paying.

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

kindergarten & pre-primary
Attendance in kindergarten and pre-primary is not compulsory, but provides an opportunity for you to introduce your child to a school environment, four half days-a-week in kindergarten, and five full days in pre-primary.

Kindergartens accept children from age 3 if they are turning 4 by June 30 in the year they attend. Usually community based with fees payable, kindergartens offer education classes and learning facilities. Kindergartens 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.

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

  • state pre-primary
  • independent pre-primary
  • community pre-primary


Attendance at state pre-primarys is free. A search facility for state pre-primary locations is available via the School Profile System section of the Education Department of Western Australia website. Schools prefer to have a child added to the enrolment list prior to the end of term 3 the year before the child is due to attend.

Independent pre-primarys are usually attached to a main independent school. Information can be obtained from the organisations detailed in the more info section at the bottom of the page

Community pre-primarys 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-primarys are non-profit organisations and all fees go towards the running of the school and the facilities provided. Community pre-primarys 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-primary 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. Students must be six years of age or older by 30 June of the year they start Grade 1 to attend. A full list of state primary schools is available via the School Profile System of the Education Department of WA website.

For independent schools, see the organisations detailed in the more info section at the bottom of the page.

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). All young people, in Western Australia, in their 16th and 17th years must be in education, training or employment. A full list of state secondary schools is available via the School Profile System of the Education Department of WA website.

For independent schools, see the organisations detailed in the more info section at the bottom of the page.

special schools and/or special needs
If your child has special needs, the Education Department of Western Australia's Centre for Inclusive Schooling website has details of special schools in the region or call (08) 9426 7111 for more advice.

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more information

Department of Education

  • website
  • ph: (08) 9264 4111 (general)
  • ph: 1800 224 888 (Early Childhood School Starting Age Enquiries)
  • ph: (08) 9426 7111 (Centre for Inclusive Schooling)
  • ph: (08) 9264 5006 or 9264 5007 (government school term & vacation dates)


Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia


Catholic Education Office of Western Australia


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