Is kindergarten free in Australia?

In most states and territories, 4-year-old kindergarten or preschool is free or fully funded by the state government for at least 600 hours per year (about 15 hours per week). Victoria also offers free 3-year-old kinder, and SA and ACT are rolling out 3-year-old preschool.

What age do children start kindergarten in Australia?

Kindergarten or preschool is typically the year before primary school starts. Age cutoffs vary: children need to turn 4 by 30 April (VIC, ACT), 30 June (QLD, WA, NT), 31 July (NSW), 1 May (SA) or 1 January (TAS) of the kinder year.

How much does free kinder save Australian families?

Before free kinder, Victorian 4-year-old kindergarten cost around $2,000-$2,500 per year. Free Kinder saves families that full amount — plus another $1,200-$1,500 for 3-year-old kinder in VIC. QLD's Free Kindy program saves QLD families approximately $1,500-$2,500 per year.

Is free kinder the same as childcare?

No. Free kinder is a specific 15-hour-per-week educational program run by a qualified kindergarten teacher. It's different from long day care (which can be 10+ hours/day). If your child attends a LDC that delivers a free kinder program, the kinder hours are free but non-kinder hours still attract normal LDC fees (offset by CCS).

free kinder and preschool by state

by emma whitfield·23 april 2026

every Australian state and territory funds kindergarten or preschool — but the program name, age cutoffs, hours and 3-year-old availability vary. here's what each state offers in 2026 and how to enrol.

choose your state

VictoriaVIC

Free Kinder · 15 hours/week for 4-year-old kinder; 5-15 hours/week for 3-year-old kinder (scaling up)

3yo + 4yo funded

New South WalesNSW

Start Strong + Free Preschool · 15 hours/week in most community preschools

3yo + 4yo funded

QueenslandQLD

Free Kindergarten Program · 15 hours/week

4yo funded only

Western AustraliaWA

Kindergarten (K4) · 15 hours/week

4yo funded only

South AustraliaSA

Preschool · 15 hours/week

3yo + 4yo funded

TasmaniaTAS

Kindergarten · typically 2 days per week

4yo funded only

Australian Capital TerritoryACT

Preschool · 15 hours/week

3yo + 4yo funded

Northern TerritoryNT

Preschool · 15 hours/week

3yo + 4yo funded

at a glance

state	program	4yo cutoff	3yo access?
VIC	Free Kinder	30 April	yes (progressive)
NSW	Start Strong + Free Preschool	31 July	yes (progressive)
QLD	Free Kindergarten Program	30 June	no
WA	Kindergarten (K4)	30 June	no
SA	Preschool	1 May	yes (progressive)
TAS	Kindergarten	1 January	no
ACT	Preschool	30 April	yes (progressive)
NT	Preschool	30 June	yes (progressive)

related guides

child care subsidy calculator

how CCS reduces long day care costs. separate from state kinder funding.

school term dates 2026

when kinder starts, plus all school terms by state.

information sourced from each state and territory education department. eligibility rules, hours and cutoffs are checked against official government pages as at 23 april 2026. state programs are updated frequently — always confirm the current rules on the official page before enrolling. mini mode is not affiliated with any state education department.