Australia · school system guide
Foundation to Year 12, what each state calls the first year, NAPLAN, and free worksheets for every year level.
Australian children start school with a Foundation year, then go through Year 1 to Year 12. The Foundation year has a different name in each state and territory: Kindergarten in New South Wales and the ACT, Prep in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, Reception in South Australia, Pre-primary in Western Australia and Transition in the Northern Territory.
Minimum starting ages mean most children begin the Foundation year at about 4½ to 5, so a Year N student in Australia is usually a year older than a Year N pupil in England. Primary school runs to Year 6 and secondary school usually starts in Year 7.
The Australian Curriculum is developed by ACARA (the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority); states and territories implement it and run their own senior secondary certificates.
Australia
The typical age of a child at the start of each school year. Tap a class to open its free worksheets.
At 5, most children are in Foundation. That is part of Foundation year.
Foundation worksheetsAt 6, most children are in Year 1. That is part of Primary school.
Year 1 worksheetsAt 7, most children are in Year 2. That is part of Primary school.
Year 2 worksheetsAt 8, most children are in Year 3. That is part of Primary school.
Year 3 worksheetsAt 9, most children are in Year 4. That is part of Primary school.
Year 4 worksheetsAt 10, most children are in Year 5. That is part of Primary school.
Year 5 worksheetsAt 11, most children are in Year 6. That is part of Primary school.
Year 6 worksheetsAt 12, most children are in Year 7. That is part of Secondary school.
Year 7 worksheetsAt 13, most children are in Year 8. That is part of Secondary school.
Year 8 worksheetsAt 14, most children are in Year 9. That is part of Secondary school.
Year 9 worksheetsAt 15, most children are in Year 10. That is part of Secondary school.
Year 10 worksheetsAt 16, most children are in Year 11. That is part of Senior secondary.
Year 11 worksheetsAt 17, most children are in Year 12. That is part of Senior secondary.
Year 12 worksheetsThe main exams children meet on the way through school.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy
Four tests: reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. They are taken online; Year 3 writing is on paper.
Senior secondary certificates
Each state awards its own certificate, for example the HSC in New South Wales, the VCE in Victoria, the QCE in Queensland, the SACE in South Australia and the WACE in Western Australia.
Australia
Printable, playable on screen and marked instantly. Each class page has fresh sheets for every subject.
Curriculum
ACARA’s Australian Curriculum covers Foundation to Year 10; states and territories implement it and set senior secondary courses. Our sheets are organised by year level and age, and cover core skills such as number, phonics, reading and handwriting.
Programmes, phonics and short explainers that work with any school system.
Step-by-step paths in maths and reading, with stars and progress.
Sounds, blending and decodable mini-books, one step at a time.
Short, clear explainers of school topics, with practice to match.
Quick checks, marked instantly, to see what your child knows.
Ready-to-teach plans that wrap fresh practice sheets.
Guides by age, weekly packs and your child's progress.
The Australian Curriculum calls it Foundation. It is Kindergarten in NSW and the ACT, Prep in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, Reception in South Australia, Pre-primary in Western Australia and Transition in the Northern Territory.
Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, conventions of language and numeracy, online in March each year.
No. Australian children are usually about a year older in the same year level, because England’s Reception year comes before Year 1 at age 4–5.
Yes. Every class page has free sheets you can print, play on screen or write on with a finger or stylus. Some actions need a free account, and a few items marked Premium are part of a paid plan. There are no ads and no trackers.
We checked the facts on this page against these sources (last reviewed October 2026).