Enrol in a NSW public primary school

Introduction

NSW government primary schools educate children from kindergarten to year 6, and the school year begins late-January/early-February.

You can enrol your child in kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July of that year. They must be enrolled by their sixth birthday.

Public schools are free to attend for Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Eligibility

• Australian citizens and permanent residents
• holders of a temporary visa or visitor visa to Australia (you'll need to contact the temporary residents program to get an Authority to Enrol – PDF, and to ensure that you have all the required documentation).

What you need

You'll need the child's:

• personal details
• proof of residential address such as a council rates notice, electricity bill
• Medicare number
• medical details and health conditions
• doctor's details
• emergency contact details
• family law or court orders (if applicable)
• disability or other support needs, including any learning and support plans (if applicable).

For children who've never enrolled in a NSW public school, you'll also need their:

• birth certificate or identity documents
• parent/carer’s details
• residency status or visa number (if applicable)
• passport, travel documents or current visa (if applicable)
• Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) immunisation history statement.

How to enrol

1. Check eligibility requirements.
2. Find your nearest local government public school
3. Contact the school for a discussion and/or an appointment.
4. Complete the Application to enrol in a NSW Government school – PDF and bring it with you to the appointment or, if you’ve already had a discussion, to the school office to process the application.

More information

• You can enrol a child without an immunisation history statement, but they may be instructed by Public Health officials to stay at home during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease.
• The enrolment application form must be completed in English. Translations of the form are available to help you, if required.