New statewide timeline for Foundation (Prep) enrolments

The first year of primary school is called Foundation or Prep.

A new statewide timeline for enrolling in Foundation (Prep) for the 2026 school year has been released.

The timeline advises families when and how to enrol their child into Foundation (Prep) at a Victorian government school. The timeline seeks to make the enrolment process simpler, clearer and fairer for families.

The timeline will apply for children starting Foundation (Prep) in 2026. All government primary schools, including P-9 and P-12 schools, will follow the new timeline.

The timeline will not apply to government specialist schools. For information about how to apply to enrol your child in a government specialist school, you should read enrolling in a school.

The timeline will not apply to non-government schools (Catholic or Independent schools). If you wish for your child to attend a non-government school, please contact individual non-government schools for their enrolment processes.

Steps to enrol your child in Foundation (Prep) for the 2026 school year

To start primary school in 2026, your child will need to turn 5 years old by 30 April 2025. Schooling is compulsory for children who have turned 6 years old.

If your child is starting Foundation (Prep) in 2026, you will be able to apply to enrol your child in a Victorian government primary school from the start of Term 2, 2025.

In Victoria, education is compulsory for children aged between six and 17 years (up to 17th birthday). Once enrolled in primary school, your child is expected to attend school every day of each term. It’s important that children develop regular attendance habits at an early age. Children who are regularly absent risk missing out on learning the basic building blocks in subjects, and this can lead to long-term learning difficulties.

Students enrolling at school as part of a prep intake will be required to provide proof of age (indicating that they have turned 5 years of age by the 30th April of that year) and an immunisation certificate.

What you need to do:

1. Download the ‘Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents/Carers.'
2. Use Find my School to locate your designated neighbourhood school (referred to as your local school) and other nearby government schools.
3. Contact a government primary school to book a school tour or to learn more about the school and the enrolment application process. The school will provide you with the form to complete.
4. Submit an enrolment application for Foundation (Prep) by May 2025
5. You will be notified of the outcome of your application by July 2025. If you receive an enrolment offer, you should accept the offer by July 2025.
6. Take part in enrolment information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2025.
7. Your child will start Foundation (Prep) in 2026.

Enrolment applications submitted after May 2025 will be processed by the school as they are received, in accordance with the Department of Education's Placement Policy.

Your child has a right to enrol at their local school. Your child’s local school is determined on the basis of their permanent residential address. Visit Find my School to locate your child’s local school. The enrolling in a school page can also help you to confirm your child’s address for enrolment.

If you are seeking to apply to enrol your child in a school that is not their local school, you should read about school zones and how they work and how applications are prioritised using the Department of Education’s Placement Policy found on the enrolling in a school page.