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School Readiness: Is Your Child Ready to Start School in 2027?
Starting school in 2027? What school readiness means in Australia, NSW, Victorian and Queensland age rules, early numeracy skills and Term 4 orientation.
Read the guideKey points
In Australia, "school readiness" is about a child's overall development, not whether they can already read, write or do sums.
Age rules differ by state. In NSW the cut-off is turning 5 by 31 July; in Victoria it is turning 5 by 30 April 2027; in Queensland it is turning 5 by 30 June.
Useful signs of readiness include managing feelings, following simple instructions, basic self-care, and early number sense built through play.
Term 4 orientation and transition programs are designed to help children and families get ready, and research stresses that schools need to be ready for children too.
What does "school readiness" actually mean?
Many parents assume readiness means knowing the alphabet or counting to 100. Australian education departments take a broader view.
The NSW Department of Education states that school readiness "is not about academic skills like reading, writing, and maths but rather encompasses a child's overall development and ability to thrive in a school environment" [1]. It also notes that "every child develops at their own pace" [1].
The Victorian Department of Education goes further. Its transition resource kit notes that while "much attention is given to children being 'ready' for school, research highlights the importance of services and schools being 'ready'" [2]. In other words, readiness is shared between the child, the family and the school.
How is development measured when children start school?:
The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) looks at children's development as they enter their first year of full-time school [3]. It covers five areas: physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills (school-based), and communication skills and general knowledge [3].
In the 2024 census of 288,483 children, 52.9% were developmentally on track on all five domains, and 23.5% were developmentally vulnerable on one or more [3]. These five areas are a helpful way for parents to think about readiness beyond academics.
What age can my child start school in 2027?
Each state sets its own rules. Here are the rules for three states, taken from government sources.
State — First year of school — Age rule — Compulsory age
NSW — Kindergarten — Turn 5 on or before 31 July in the year they start [4] — Enrolled by 6th birthday [4]
Victoria — Foundation (Prep) — Turn 5 by 30 April 2027 to start in 2027 [5] — Turned 6 [5]
Queensland — Prep — Be 5 by 30 June in the year they enrol [6] — 6 years and 6 months [6]
If your state is not listed, check your state or territory education department's website. Queensland also has options for early or delayed entry to Prep, which are set out in separate departmental guidance [6].
In Victoria, applications for Foundation 2027 at government schools opened on 20 April 2026 and closed on 31 July 2026 [5]. If you have not yet enrolled, contact your local school directly.
What are the signs my child is ready for school?
The Australian Government's Learning Potential resource groups readiness into five broad areas [7]:
Social and emotional. Managing emotions, following directions, getting along with other children, and coping in large groups with less adult attention.
Language. Communicating clearly, listening, understanding stories, and beginning to recognise some letters and sounds.
Physical. Fine motor skills such as holding a pencil, and gross motor skills such as running and jumping.
Thinking. Basic number awareness and early thinking skills.
Self-care. Using the toilet independently, dressing, and managing their own belongings.
No child will tick every box, and that is normal. If you have concerns, the NSW department suggests talking with your child's early childhood educators or contacting your local school early [1].
What early numeracy skills help before school?
Children do not need formal maths lessons before they start Kindergarten. The Learning Potential guidance says "little kids learn best through play" and suggests building "basic number sense" through everyday activities [7]. Examples include:
counting plates while setting the table
matching socks from the washing
measuring ingredients when baking
playing board games such as snakes and ladders, which also practise turn-taking and waiting [7]
Other simple ideas include counting steps, spotting numbers on letterboxes, sorting toys by size or colour, and talking about "more", "fewer", "longer" and "shorter". The NSW department notes that schools plan learning based on the skills students bring with them [4], so there is no need to rush ahead.
For an overview of what children learn in their first year and beyond, see what is the Australian Curriculum? (noooli.com/learn/what-is-the-australian-curriculum) and is my child on track? (noooli.com/learn/is-my-child-on-track).
What happens at Term 4 orientation?
Term 4 is when many schools welcome the next year's starters. The NSW department says most public schools offer orientation events in Term 4, and that these help children "get to know their new school, meet school staff and classmates and feel more comfortable with the school environment" [1]. Many schools also run transition programs over several weeks in the second half of the year [4].
Victoria's transition resources describe common activities such as reciprocal visits, open days, buddy programs and meetings with families [2]. Victoria also uses a Transition Learning and Development Statement so families and early childhood educators can share information with the child's new school [2].
How can I prepare my child over summer?:
Raising Children Network suggests helping your child become familiar with the school through visits and events, practising with new shoes and lunch containers, organising playdates, reading books about starting school, and speaking positively about school [8]. In the first weeks, expect your child to be tired, allow extra time at drop-off, and keep after-school time calm [8].
How Noooli can help
Once your child starts school, Noooli offers short daily maths practice, about 10 minutes, for Kindergarten to Year 6, aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Parents can see their child's progress. Our free printable Kindergarten maths worksheets (noooli.com/worksheets/maths/foundation) include answer keys and need no sign-up. Plans are Free, Noooli Plus (A$9.99/month or A$107.89 a year, one child) and Noooli Max (A$19.99/month or A$214.99 a year, every child in the family).
References
1. NSW Department of Education, "Starting Kindergarten FAQs", 2026, https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/early-childhood-education/information-for-parents-and-carers/Starting_Kindergarten_FAQs_parents_and_carers.pdf
2. Victorian Department of Education, "Transition: A Positive Start to School Resource Kit", https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/childhood/professionals/Transition-to-School-Resource-Kit.pdf
3. Australian Early Development Census, "AEDC Key Findings 2024", 2025, https://www.aedc.gov.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/aedc_key-findings-24_fs_mar25_da7.pdf
4. NSW Department of Education, "Starting school", 2026, https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/going-to-school/primary-schools/starting-school
5. Victorian Government, "Enrolling in Foundation (Prep)", 2026, https://www.vic.gov.au/enrolling-foundation-prep
6. Queensland Government, "Enrolment age requirements", 2026, https://www.qld.gov.au/education/schools/find/enrolment/age
7. Australian Government, Learning Potential, "Is your child ready for big school?", https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/articles/is-your-child-ready-for-big-school
8. Raising Children Network, "Primary school: preparing children", https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/school-choosing-starting-moving/starting-school
Common questions
How old does my child need to be to start school in 2027?
It depends on your state. In NSW, children can start Kindergarten if they turn 5 on or before 31 July of that year. In Victoria, children starting Foundation in 2027 must turn 5 by 30 April 2027. In Queensland, children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they enrol in Prep.
Does my child need to read or count before starting school?
No. The NSW Department of Education says school readiness is not about academic skills like reading, writing and maths, but about a child's overall development and ability to thrive at school. Schools plan learning based on the skills children bring. Early number play at home is helpful, but not a requirement.
What happens at school orientation in Term 4?
Most NSW public schools hold orientation events in Term 4 for children starting the next year. These sessions help children get to know the school, meet staff and classmates, and feel more comfortable. Many schools also run transition programs over several weeks, so ask your school what it offers.
