Preschool in Australia: Ages, Hours, Costs, and What’s Changing in 2025

Preschool Australia: Ages, Hours, Costs & 2025 Reforms

Navigating the landscape of preschool in Australia can feel complex, especially when balancing your child’s early education needs with cost and availability. Many parents want to give their child the best start possible—but understanding preschool ages, attendance hours, and government-funded preschool and kindergarten programs, including Queensland kindergarten funding, can be challenging.

This guide simplifies everything you need to know about preschool in Australia, including how it differs from long day care and kindy, what ages children can start, how many hours they receive, and what changes are coming through the 2025 preschool reforms and new preschool funding arrangements.

Preschool vs Long Day Care vs Kindy

Understanding the differences between preschool, long day care, and kindy helps families choose the best option for their child’s development and lifestyle.

Preschool (sometimes called kindergarten or kindy) focuses on structured, play-based learning led by qualified early childhood teachers. It usually runs during school terms and prepares children for school, promoting social, emotional, and cognitive development in line with approved early learning frameworks.

Long Day Care centres provide education and care for children from birth to school age, typically operating longer hours throughout the year. They combine early learning programs with full-day care, making them ideal for working families and may also deliver approved, government-funded kindergarten programs.

Kindy is a regional term—commonly used in Queensland—to describe the year before school. In Queensland, kindy refers specifically to a funded kindergarten program supported through the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme. In other states, “kindergarten” may mean the year before school (Victoria, Tasmania) or even the first year of primary school (South Australia, Western Australia).

Because terminology varies by state, it’s essential to check local definitions when choosing your child’s program.

What Ages Start Preschool in Each State

The preschool age or kindy age in Australia differs by state and territory. Generally, children attend preschool in the year before starting primary school—usually when they are around four years old.

Here’s a summary of eligibility by region:

State/Territory	Age Requirement for Preschool/Kindy
New South Wales	4 years old by 31 July
Queensland	4 years old by 30 June to access a funded kindergarten program
Victoria	3-year-old and 4-year-old kinder programs available
South Australia	4 years old by 1 May
Western Australia	4 years old by 30 June
Tasmania	4 years old by 1 January
Northern Territory	4 years old by 30 June
ACT	4 years old by 1 January

Because age cut-offs vary, always check with your state or territory education department or your local preschool for exact eligibility and funding requirements.

How Many Hours Kids Get

The number of preschool hours per week in Australia has traditionally been 15 hours per week (or 600 hours annually). However, several states are increasing this to provide children with more learning time and families with more flexibility.

The standard 15-hour program usually runs over two to three days per week, focusing on play-based learning, socialisation, and early literacy and numeracy and aligns with national preschool funding benchmarks.

Upcoming Changes

Queensland: Eligible children can already access 15 hours per week of free kindy through approved services funded under the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme, including kindergartens and long day care services delivering an approved kindergarten program.

Victoria: Moving towards 30 hours of free kinder for four-year-olds by 2032, and 15 hours of free kinder for three-year-olds by 2029.

New South Wales: Introducing up to 30 hours of free preschool for four-year-olds and five-year-olds not yet at school, starting from 2023 and expanding over time.

These reforms highlight a national shift toward more accessible, immersive, and affordable early childhood education—ensuring every child benefits from quality early learning.

Funding & Reform Updates

The landscape of preschool reform in Australia is changing rapidly thanks to new investments and policy commitments. The introduction of new preschool funding 2025 marks a major milestone in improving access and affordability for families and builds on existing state-based kindergarten funding models.

The National Preschool Reform Agreement—a joint initiative between the Commonwealth and state governments—focuses on:

Expanding universal access to quality preschool programs
Increasing participation for three-year-olds
Reducing out-of-pocket costs for families

Examples of State Reforms

Queensland: The Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme provides funding to approved services to deliver 15 hours per week of free kindergarten for eligible children, including in long day care settings.

NSW: 30 hours of fee-free preschool for all four-year-olds and eligible five-year-olds, supported by the NSW Public Preschools Rollout (100 new public preschools by 2027).

Victoria: 15 hours of free kinder for all three- and four-year-olds.

South Australia: 15 hours of free preschool for all three- and four-year-olds attending long day care from 2024.

These initiatives aim to remove financial barriers so every child can access early learning opportunities—strengthening school readiness and lifelong outcomes.

How to Enrol + Waitlist Tips

The preschool enrolment process varies by state but generally follows similar steps:

Research local preschools or long day care centres that offer approved, funded kindergarten programs. Visit open days or arrange tours to learn about the programs and environment.

Join waitlists early. Popular centres can fill quickly, particularly for funded kindergarten places. Ask about waitlist fees, priority placement, and average wait times.

Submit required documents. Provide accurate details and supporting materials promptly.

Accept an offer. Review fees, hours, and terms before signing your enrolment agreement and confirming funding eligibility.

Attend orientation sessions. These help your child transition smoothly into their new setting.

Being proactive ensures you secure a place that best supports your child’s learning and your family’s schedule.

Questions to Ask a Preschool

When visiting or contacting a preschool, ask questions that reveal their values, teaching approach, and care standards:

Is the service approved to deliver a funded kindergarten program?
What curriculum or learning framework do you use?
How do you support social and emotional development?
What is the daily routine and balance between structured and free play?
What are staff qualifications and child-to-educator ratios?
How do you communicate with families about children’s progress?
How are meals, allergies, and safety managed?
What opportunities exist for family involvement?

These questions help you understand how the preschool aligns with your child’s needs and your family’s expectations.

Key Takeaways

Preschool, Kindy, and Long Day Care each provide distinct education and care options.
Age eligibility for preschool varies by state and territory.
Preschool reforms are expanding hours—many states are moving toward 30 hours per week.
New preschool funding 2025 builds on initiatives such as the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme and other free preschool programs.
Early enrolment and asking thoughtful questions are key to securing the best placement.

Shaping the Future of Early Learning

The preschool system in Australia continues to evolve, guided by a shared national commitment to quality early education for every child. Understanding preschool ages, hours, and the **latest kindergarten funding reforms—particularly in Queensland—**helps families make informed, confident choices.

These exciting changes are helping ensure that all children—regardless of location or background—can thrive in nurturing, enriching early learning environments.

Discover Pathways in Early Learning

Build a rewarding career supporting young learners and funded kindergarten programs.
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https://actac.com.au/