When must my child start school in Tasmania?

A child who is at least 5 years old on 1 January must be enrolled at school that year. Families are encouraged to start Kindergarten from 4 years of age.

Do Tasmanian high schools go to Year 12?

Yes. Every government secondary and district school now offers Years 11 and 12, and there are also eight government colleges that teach only Years 11 and 12.

Do I have to pay school levies in Tasmania?

Families with an eligible concession card, such as a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, do not pay levies under the Student Assistance Scheme. Students are not stopped from taking part in curriculum activities if levies are unpaid.

How schools work in Tasmania

Tasmania has government, Catholic and independent schools across the state. This guide explains how government schooling is organised, from Kindergarten to the TCE, with links to the Tasmanian Government's education department (DECYP) for the detail.

Starting school

In Tasmania, a child who is at least 5 years old on 1 January must be enrolled at school that year. Children aged 5 to 17 must be enrolled, and young people must stay in education or training until they complete Year 12, gain a Certificate III or turn 18, whichever comes first. Families are encouraged to start Kindergarten from 4 years of age. If you are worried about your child's readiness, talk to the principal; gifted children can enter Kindergarten or the first year of school up to six months early. See enrolling your child (opens in a new tab).

How the years are organised

Government primary schools run to Year 6 and district schools from Kindergarten to Year 12. High schools now run from Year 7 to Year 12: every Tasmanian government secondary and district school offers Years 11 and 12, alongside eight government colleges for Years 11 and 12 only: Claremont, Don, Elizabeth, Hellyer, Hobart, Launceston, Newstead and Rosny colleges. Senior students work towards the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE), awarded by TASC.

Enrolment and intake areas

Each government primary and district school has an intake area, and children living in it are guaranteed a place. Out-of-area enrolment depends on the school having room, through an expression of interest, and some schools are at capacity. See intake areas for government schools (opens in a new tab), which links to the intake area map.

High school places follow a feeder model: each primary school has one or two intake high schools, and a place there is guaranteed. For Years 11 and 12, students can choose their school or college.

Government, Catholic and independent schools

Tasmania also has Catholic and independent schools. Our guide to government, Catholic or independent schools sets out how they differ.

Fees and levies

Each government school's principal sets its levies with the School Association, at the minimum amount possible, and students are not stopped from taking part in curriculum activities if levies are unpaid. Under the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS), families with a Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or eligible DVA card do not pay levies. See fees and levies (opens in a new tab).

Distance education

The Tasmanian eSchool is the online school, from Kindergarten to Year 12, for public education students across Tasmania, with campuses in Launceston and Hobart. Students must meet its criteria, and enrolment needs the department's approval.

NAPLAN and My School

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in Tasmania, 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 Tasmania on Schools Near Me

We list 261 schools in Tasmania: 189 government, 38 Catholic and 34 independent, including special schools. See every school in Tasmania, or filter by sector: government, Catholic or independent.

The council areas with the most schools are Launceston (35), Clarence (27), Hobart (24), Glenorchy (21) and Kingborough (15).

Common questions

When must my child start school in Tasmania?: A child who is at least 5 years old on 1 January must be enrolled at school that year. Families are encouraged to start Kindergarten from 4 years of age.
Which high school will my child go to in Tasmania?: Government high school places follow a feeder model: each primary school has one or two intake high schools, and a place there is guaranteed. For Years 11 and 12, students can choose their school or college.
Do Tasmanian high schools go to Year 12?: Yes. Every government secondary and district school now offers Years 11 and 12, and there are also eight government colleges that teach only Years 11 and 12.
Do I have to pay school levies in Tasmania?: Families with an eligible concession card, such as a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, do not pay levies under the Student Assistance Scheme. Students are not stopped from taking part in curriculum activities if levies are unpaid.

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.