Enrolment

Enrolment age requirements

Schools

A child is considered to be of compulsory school age from 6 years and 6 months until they turn 16, or they complete Year 10.

Parents of compulsory-school-aged children must:

• enrol them at a school
• ensure they attend school on every school day, unless the parent has a reasonable excuse.

Prep

The Prep year helps students make a smooth transition to Year 1. Children attend 5 days a week, and stay all day. It is not compulsory. To be eligible, children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they start.

Check when your child should start Prep using the Prep ready reckoner.

Kindergarten programs

Approved kindergarten programs that help prepare children for the Prep year are offered by kindergarten services and some long-day-care services. Children must be at least 4 by 30 June in the year they attend the program.

This only relates to enrolment in approved kindergarten programs—those meeting strict guidelines around teacher qualifications, the number of hours offered and the actual learning program itself. Kindergarten programs are not compulsory and there are usually some fees.

Find out more about kindergarten programs and enrolment processes.

How do I enrol at a school?

Most schools publish their enrolment forms and details of their processes on their school website. Check the school website first or contact the school.

Usually, the enrolment process will follow these steps:

• contact the school about any specific enrolment procedures
• check if the school has an enrolment management plan and catchment maps, and whether you are eligible to enrol at that school
• complete an application for student enrolment
• gather any required documentation you may need for the enrolment interview.

Following the interview the school will give you copies of the Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students, and school policy documents such as the student dress code.

If your child has disability, the school should also provide information about disability programs and services.

Mature-age students

Conditions apply if you are 18 or older and want to enrol at a state high school as a mature-age (adult) student. These include:

• a criminal history check
• the length of your previous state school enrolment
• you have not previously been permanently excluded from your preferred school
• you comply with all relevant enrolment requirements.

Contact the principal of your preferred school to enrol.

Read more about enrolling as a mature-age student, including TAFE and distance education options.

Managing enrolments

All Queensland state schools have a defined catchment area to ensure students can attend the state school closest to where they live.

School enrolment management plans are used by some schools to manage enrolments where the school is near its maximum capacity.

Enrolment management plans allow schools to:

• reserve places for local students within the catchment
• manage enrolment applications from students who live outside the catchment area.

Enrolment policies and procedures

There are 4 main procedures that guide school staff in matters relating to student enrolment:

• enrolment procedures—provides information about enrolment management plans, transfer procedures, and the enrolment forms that should be used. It also defines parent responsibilities in relation to the enrolment process
• school age and attendance management procedures—defines management procedures and the enforcement of parent obligations. Parents are obliged to enrol school-aged children, and ensure they attend a school
• variations to school age entry requirements—outlines delayed entry to Prep and limited instances for early entry to Prep
• mature-age student applications—outlines how to apply for a Mature Age Student Notice before enrolling in a state school.