The short answer
Pre-primary: the usual entry rule
Children who turn five by 30 June ordinarily start Pre-primary that year. Pre-primary is the first compulsory year of schooling in Western Australia.
What about Kindergarten?
Children who turn four by 30 June can ordinarily attend Kindergarten, which is not compulsory.
Can my child start later or earlier?
A later Pre-primary start is not an ordinary choice for an eligible child because attendance is compulsory. Local-intake areas, school capacity and Kindergarten arrangements also matter.
What should I do next?
Confirm the correct compulsory school year with the Department of Education and discuss any attendance or support concerns directly with the school.
StartYear can help structure this decision with parent observations and optional input from an educator, but it cannot approve a deferral, exception or school placement. Eligibility is not the same as readiness.
Official Western Australia sources
Check the latest published guidance before making an enrolment decision. The public rules summarised here were reviewed on 4 October 2026.