At What Age Is School Compulsory in Australia in 2026?
School is compulsory in Australia for children from about age five until they are 15 to 17 years old, and the age at which the obligation ends is set by the state or territory where the family lives rather than by a single national figure. That range is stated on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs "Education and training" page, as at the official page in July 2026.
At what age does compulsory schooling start?
Most children begin primary school at age five, and the Home Affairs page describes primary school as compulsory for children of citizens and permanent residents. The years before that are not covered by the compulsory rule: pre-school is for children between three and five years old, is usually part-time, and is not compulsory.
| Stage | Age | Compulsory? |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-school | 3 to 5 | No — usually part-time |
| Primary school | Begins around 5 | Yes |
| Overall compulsory range | 5 to 15–17 | Yes — upper end set by state or territory |
Why does the leaving age sit anywhere between 15 and 17?
Because each state and territory government runs its own education system. The Home Affairs page states that state and territory governments provide the funding and regulation for their educational institutions, and it gives the compulsory range as "five and 15 to 17 years depending on your state of residence" rather than one nationwide leaving age.
The same page names the state and territory education departments responsible for those systems:
- ACT Government Education Directorate
- New South Wales Department of Education
- Queensland Department of Education
- South Australia Department of Education and Child Development
- Department of Education, Tasmania
- Victoria Department of Education and Training
- Western Australia Department of Education
- Northern Territory Department of Education
Since the upper end of the range is fixed at that level, this article is general information only and is not tailored advice for any one family; for a particular situation, the current rules published by the relevant state or territory education department — or a qualified professional — are the reference point to rely on.
Does "compulsory" mean schooling is free?
Not entirely. Public schooling is free, but families are generally required to pay for uniforms, books and other implements, and a uniform usually has to be purchased before lessons begin. Children also take lunch and snacks to school or buy food at the canteen. Private schools, by contrast, rely on school fees payable at the start of the year; most are Christian or independent, and larger cities often have Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist and alternative schools.
Does visa status change the picture?
It can change the cost, though not the age range. The Home Affairs page notes that students holding temporary visas may be required to pay full school fees for public schooling, which is a separate question from when a child must be enrolled.
What do children do during these years?
Primary school learning is built around eight areas: English, Health and Physical Education, Languages other than English, Maths, Science, Society and Environment, Technology, and the Arts. In secondary school, students take core subjects such as English, Maths and Science, add electives, and later choose subjects that support the career they have in mind. At both levels, students generally attend between 9am and 3pm for 40 weeks a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age must a child start school in Australia?
Most children start primary school at age five, and the Home Affairs page describes primary school as compulsory for children of citizens and permanent residents. Pre-school, which covers ages three to five, is usually part-time and is not compulsory.
At what age can a child legally leave school in Australia?
It depends on the state or territory: the Home Affairs page gives the compulsory range as five to 15–17 years, with the upper end determined by the state or territory of residence. There is no single national leaving age stated on that page.
Who sets the compulsory schooling age — the federal government or the states?
Each state and territory government manages, funds and regulates its own education system, which is why the leaving age varies between them. The federal government's role described on the Home Affairs page is funding universities, not setting school leaving ages.
Is public schooling in Australia free?
Tuition at public schools is free, but families are generally required to pay for uniforms, books and other implements. Uniforms usually need to be bought before a child starts lessons.
Are children on temporary visas covered by the same age rules?
The compulsory age range applies to all children, but the Home Affairs page notes that students holding temporary visas may be required to pay full school fees for public schooling. The age obligation and the fee treatment are two separate issues.
What are typical school hours in Australia?
Students generally attend school between 9am and 3pm for 40 weeks a year, at both primary and secondary level. Most schools require a uniform and expect students to bring their own food or buy it at the canteen.