Primary school enrolment
In South Australia, the first year of primary school is called reception. Most children start school in the year they turn 5. All children must be enrolled at school by the age of 6.
Children who turn 5 years old:
- before 1 May can start school in term 1
- between 1 May and 31 October can start school in term 3 (mid-year intake)
- after 31 October start the following year.
If your child starts school at the beginning of the year, they will do 4 terms of reception.
If they start school in a mid-year intake, they will complete 6 terms of reception.
How to register your interest to enrol
Check when your child can start reception
Find out when your child can start school by using our age calculator.
Find a school
Use our find a school zone or catchment area page to help you find a school.
Note: In unzoned outer metropolitan Adelaide and regional areas, the local school might not be the nearest school listed on the website. Contact the school directly if you are unsure.
You can apply to enrol your child in a school that is not your local school, but offers will depend on available places. You should always apply at your local school in case your application to the non-local school is not successful.
Visit school placements for information about how places are decided.
Submit a registration of interest
Once you found a school you're interested in, you can contact the school directly or download and complete a registration of interest form (PDF 238 KB) . Find a school's contact details.
Return your completed registration of interest form to the school as soon as possible. If your child is starting school next year, you are encouraged to submit your registration of interest by the end of term 2 of the current year.
The school will let you know when to expect an enrolment offer if your application is successful.
What to expect from reception
Download the getting ready for reception flyer (PDF 1 MB) for information on the transition from preschool to school.
In reception, your child will have opportunities to learn in many ways. Reception is where students discover school practices, routines and structure.
They will experience active learning, including play-based and enquiry-based approaches, as well as structured learning to develop literacy and numeracy skills. Developing independence is a focus.
All children have different interests, needs and motivations. Teachers provide learning opportunities tailored to the child. Students make decisions, solve problems, develop thinking skills, collaborate, communicate and develop a positive sense of self. Students commence learning in all 8 areas of the curriculum.
Mid-year intake and 6 terms of reception
Students will have the same learning experience whether they start at the beginning or middle of the year.
Students starting in a mid-year intake may enter a new reception class or join an existing class. This depends on enrolment numbers and the size of existing classes at your school.
Classes have students with a broad range of ages and abilities across their year levels. Your child’s teachers will provide learning opportunities tailored for all children in the class and continually review progress to support their learning.
Contact
General enquiries
Phone: 8226 1000
Free call: 1800 088 158
