Tasmanian government schools provide education for three levels of schooling – primary, secondary and senior secondary.

Children attend primary school from Kindergarten (age four) to Year 6 (age 11 or 12). They go to secondary or ‘high’ school from Year 7 to Year 10. Education for Years 11 and 12 operates from eight college campuses across the State.

A range of vocational education options is also available for students after Year 10. TAFE Tasmania provides full-time courses, traineeships and apprenticeships. School-based  traineeships and apprenticeships are also available, where school and paid training are mixed.

Legal age to start school

A child is required to attend school in Tasmania from the age of 5 years. This means that a child who is at least 5 years of age by 1 January in any year must be enrolled at a school or provided with approved home education.

This first year of full-time schooling is called Preparatory or ‘Prep’. It is very important that children attend full-time every day during the Prep year so that they can build the foundations for future learning.

Kindergarten

Before age 5, most children attend Kindergarten, although it is not compulsory. Kindergarten is part of the primary school system. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be 4 years of age by 1 January in the year in which they start.

Kindergarten classes are sessional (they don’t last all day) and their times of operation vary. For information about particular Kindergarten arrangements, contact your local school.

Legal age to leave school

The current age for leaving school is 16 years. However, from 2008, young people will be required to participate in education and training until they have completed Year 12, or gained a certificate III vocational qualification, or turned 17. In Tasmania, secondary education from Year 7 up to Year 12 is available for all young people. In some circumstances a further year (Year 13) is permitted.