Overview of enrolment in Victorian government schools
Except in very specific circumstances, schooling is compulsory for students who have turned 6 until they turn 17. This applies to students at all schools including specialist and government English language schools or centres.
In practice, this means most children will commence schooling at the start of the year they turn 6.
Every Victorian student has a legislated right to enrol at their designated neighbourhood school (section 2.2.13 of the Act), and may be enrolled at another school subject to sufficient accommodation (section 2.2.14 of the Act).
The following information provides the requirements for entry into a Victorian government school. This includes admission and enrolment pre-requisites, placement into a Victorian government school, transfers between schools, concurrent enrolments and enrolment in specialist schools.
Reviewed 08 February 2023