Most children start primary school at five years of age.
Compulsory attendance was introduced by Western Australia in 1871, with other States introducing similar legislation around the same time, and with the ages for compulsory education varying between 6 and 14 years of age. Each State and Territory has developed its own approach to schooling, particularly in relation to the structure of pre-Year One education and the transition from primary to secondary schooling. Primary schooling in most States and Territories begins with a preparatory or kindergarten year, followed by six or seven primary grades, then a further five or six years to complete a full secondary course of study. School organisation and operation Primary schooling provides a general elementary program lasting for seven or eight years until Year 6 or 7. Primary and secondary schools are usually separate institutions, but in some areas there are central or area schools which provide both levels of schooling.