On this page:
School age The enrolment process Proof of residence Fees and materials charges School age
In South Australia, it's compulsory for children to be enrolled in primary school by their sixth birthday.
Most students in South Australia start school at age five. It's common for children to start school at the beginning of the school term following their fifth birthday.
The principal decides whether to accept children during a term or wait to the beginning of the next term.
To find out when your child can start contact the school.
From 2014 there will be a single starting date and all students starting primary school will start school the first day of term one.
[top of page]
The enrolment process
Enrolment at school is similar to enrolling at kindergarten:
- make an appointment with the principal
- show proof of identity for both the child and parent - eg a Centrelink or Medicare card, passport, birth certificate or extract.
- show proof of residence
- complete and lodge an application to enrol form - the principal can help you with the form and answer any questions.
You may be asked about:
- your child's interests
- emergency contact numbers
- custody issues
- immunization records, medical information and health care needs
- friends already attending the school or starting at the same time.
The information you give about your child and family is kept confidential and used when necessary in the best interests of your child.
When you enrol your child, the school will give you an information package covering topics such as:
- health and safety
- policies
- curriculum
- school times
- the canteen price list
- out of school hours care (OSHC)
- the role and obligations of volunteers in schools
- general school procedures.
[top of page]
Proof of residence
It's important that student residency details are correct and up to date.
When enrolling a child at a primary school, parents or guardians must provide the school with:
- a gas or electricity bill in their name that shows their home address (not a business address) – phone bills and water rate bills are not accepted
- a copy of their property's contract of sale (if the home is the permanent residence), or a rental agreement and a bond receipt from the Residential Tenancies Tribunal showing their current place of residence – for the purpose of zoning the rental agreement should at least cover the student’s first 12 months at the school
- if the student is living with a friend or a relative, evidence is required showing that the friend or relative is the student's legal guardian – this must include a Parenting Order from the family court showing that the friend or relative is the student's full-time carer.
[top of page]
Fees and materials charges
Public primary schools provide free tuition for all students.
A materials and services charge is set each year. This fee covers the cost of books, computer technology and other essential items and services used by students during the course of their study.
Financial assistance, including the School Card, is available to help eligible families with the materials and services charge.
[top of page]
More information
On this site
Starting primary school
School uniform and dress code
Ways of getting to school
Travelling safely to school
Other websites
School readiness - Early Childhood Australia