When can my child start Kindergarten in the ACT?

In the year they turn 5, if they are 5 on or before 30 April. Preschool, the year before, is for children who are 4 on or before 30 April.

When do I apply for an ACT public school?

Online, during the central application period the year before. For 2027 it opened on 4 May 2026, and families who applied by 5 June 2026 received first-round offers from 3 August 2026.

Is my child guaranteed a place at our local ACT school?

Yes. Every ACT child is guaranteed a place at a public school in their priority enrolment area. Places at schools outside your area are not guaranteed.

How schools work in the Australian Capital Territory

The ACT has public, Catholic and independent schools across Canberra. This guide explains how public schooling is organised, from preschool to the Senior Secondary Certificate, with links to the ACT Government's own pages for the detail.

Starting school

Kindergarten is the first year of primary school in the ACT. A child must be 5 on or before 30 April of the year they start; preschool, the year before, is for children who are 4 on or before 30 April. Early entry is possible if set requirements are met. School is compulsory from age 6 until a student completes Year 12 or turns 17, whichever comes first. The ACT Government's school age calculator (opens in a new tab) works out the year for your child.

How the years are organised

Public primary schools run from Kindergarten to Year 6, high schools from Year 7 to Year 10, and colleges teach Years 11 and 12. Early childhood schools teach preschool to Year 2. Students who complete Year 12 receive the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate and a Record of Achievement, from the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies.

Enrolment and priority enrolment areas

Every ACT child is guaranteed a place at a public school in their priority enrolment area, from Kindergarten to Year 12. The ACT Government's priority enrolment area search (opens in a new tab) shows the schools for each suburb; some suburbs share areas.

You apply online for the following year during a set period. For 2027, applications opened on 4 May 2026, families who applied by 5 June 2026 were in the first round of offers, and offers began going out on 3 August 2026. Later applications get offers later in the year.

Places outside your area are not guaranteed. High-demand schools usually have no out-of-area places; others may, with priority for student wellbeing, siblings and curriculum not offered at your local school, such as a language. If an out-of-area application is refused, you are offered a place at a school in your area. See applying to a school outside your area (opens in a new tab).

Government, Catholic and independent schools

The ACT has 47 non-government schools. Each has its own process for enrolment and charges fees, which vary. See government, Catholic or independent schools.

Gifted students and specialist programs

The ACT has no select entry schools or schools only for high-achieving students. Every public school has a gifted and talented liaison officer. Some schools run bilingual or specialist language programs with their own entry conditions.

Fees and contributions

ACT public schools ask families for school contributions, which are voluntary. Families on low incomes may be able to get a one-off payment from the Future of Education Equity Fund: $400 for preschool, $500 for primary school and $750 for high school and college. See help with the cost of schooling (opens in a new tab).

Distance education

ACT students who meet set criteria, such as a medical condition, elite sport or a learning need that cannot be met locally, can study online through the NSW Finigan School of Distance Education, following the NSW curriculum. See distance education (opens in a new tab).

NAPLAN and My School

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in the Australian Capital Territory, as everywhere in Australia, sit NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, conventions of language and numeracy each March; in 2027 the testing window is 10 to 22 March.

Each school's profile on My School (opens in a new tab) shows its NAPLAN results alongside its enrolments, staff and finances. Read results with care: they reflect the students a school enrols as well as its teaching, and a visit tells you far more. Our guide to My School, NAPLAN and ICSEA explains how to read a profile.

Schools in the Australian Capital Territory on Schools Near Me

We list 139 schools in the Australian Capital Territory: 92 government, 29 Catholic and 18 independent, including special schools. See every school in the Australian Capital Territory, or filter by sector: government, Catholic or independent.

The suburbs with the most schools are Wanniassa (5), Kaleen (4), Kambah (4), Calwell (3) and Campbell (3).

Common questions

When can my child start Kindergarten in the ACT?: In the year they turn 5, if they are 5 on or before 30 April. Preschool, the year before, is for children who are 4 on or before 30 April.
When do I apply for an ACT public school?: Online, during the central application period the year before. For 2027 it opened on 4 May 2026, and families who applied by 5 June 2026 received first-round offers from 3 August 2026.
Are there selective schools in the ACT?: No. The ACT has no select entry schools or schools only for high-achieving students. Every public school has a gifted and talented liaison officer.
Is my child guaranteed a place at our local ACT school?: Yes. Every ACT child is guaranteed a place at a public school in their priority enrolment area. Places at schools outside your area are not guaranteed.

Sources

We check guides against official sources. Rules can change, and some details vary by area, so check with the source before you act.

Last updated 1 November 2026.