Leslie Massey
In Australia, the cost of kindergarten varies depending on the state and the type of program. While some parents have reported costs of up to $7000 per year for kindergarten, others have highlighted that there are free alternatives. For example, in Victoria, families with children enrolled in a participating sessional kindergarten receive a free program, while those in long day care receive an annual fee offset. Additionally, the Australian Government is introducing a Preschool Outcomes Measure tool to improve outcomes for children in kindergarten. This tool will be trialled nationally in 2025 and will provide teachers with information to inform children's learning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of kindergarten in Australia | AUD 7000 per year or AUD 145 for 3 days a week after rebates |
| Cost of private school in Australia | AUD 5200 per year |
| Free kindergarten in Australia | Available in Victoria for 3 and 4-year-old children for however many hours the Victorian government is funding |
| Free kindergarten eligibility in Victoria | No requirements for Health Care Card, Pension Card, Australian citizenship, proof of address, or eligibility for Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) |
| Free kindergarten in other Australian states | Unclear |
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What You'll Learn
Kindergarten costs in Victoria
The Victorian Government provides funds directly to kindergartens to run free programs from 5 to 15 hours each week. However, individual kindergartens may set additional fees and charges. The government funding is provided for only one kindergarten program per child.
The Victorian Government has announced that kindergarten will be free for every child attending a participating kindergarten. Participation in the Free Kinder initiative is an opt-in decision made by each individual kindergarten. Kindergartens that participate in the Free Kinder program offer 15 hours of free kindergarten each week. Some kindergartens offer more than 15 hours as part of their program, which may come at a fee.
The Victorian Government partially funds the 4-year-old kindergarten program, while the 3-year-old kindergarten program is not funded by the government. The Early Start Kindergarten program provides free or low-cost kindergarten for eligible 3-year-old children. To be eligible, the child must be 3 years old by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten.
The fees for kindergarten in Victoria can vary. One source mentions a fee of $145 per week for 3 days a week after rebates. Another source mentions a fee of $55.48 after CCS and Free Kinder offset.
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Preschool costs in ACT
In Australia, kindergarten or preschool costs vary across different states. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), preschool education is partially free for three-year-olds. The ACT Government provides up to 300 hours of free preschool education annually for three-year-olds, which is delivered through partner providers. This initiative is part of the government's "Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy," aiming to support children's learning, wellbeing, and development.
The free preschool program in ACT is play-based and aligned with the national Early Years Learning Framework. It is designed to foster social, language, and physical skills in children, which are critical for their future success. The program is flexible, allowing children to join at any time during the calendar year, as long as they turn three by April 30.
While the free preschool hours are substantial, families will need to pay for any additional hours their children attend beyond the allocated 300 hours. These extra hours can accumulate significant costs, especially for families with busy schedules or those seeking full-time preschool care. It's important to note that the free hours do not carry over to the next calendar year.
In addition to the free hours, the ACT Government also offers funding to subsidize out-of-pocket preschool fees for eligible families. In 2025, this funding can reach up to $2,575, which is a notable increase from the previous year's funding of $1,329. This funding is specifically for three-year-olds enrolled in the "Flying Start to School" preschool program and is provided on top of the Child Care Subsidy. Eligible families can expect to receive this funding as a credit to reduce their fees after the Child Care Subsidy has been applied.
The cost of kindergarten or preschool in ACT, Australia, is a combination of free hours provided by the government and subsidized fees for eligible families. This support ensures that children have access to early childhood education, promoting their holistic development and preparing them for their future educational journey.
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Sessional kindergarten programs
The Victorian government offers free sessional kindergarten programs for children aged 3 and 4. These programs are typically run by the local council and are available for however many hours the government is funding. Families do not need to have a Health Care Card, Pension Card, Australian citizenship, or proof of address to be eligible for this program.
The structure of these programs varies, with some offering 15 hours of learning per week, held over two or three days. For example, a program may be held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, or on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:15 AM to 3:45 PM.
The content of the programs can be multi-age or single-age. Multi-age programs group together three, four, and five-year-old children, while single-age programs have a dedicated group for three-year-olds and another for four/five-year-olds.
Educators in these programs typically have 10 weeks of leave each year, based on school terms. Annual leave is usually not permitted during school terms, and educators work under an 'extended leave arrangement', where they 'purchase' leave by working for a lower hourly rate throughout the year.
The Victorian government is currently rolling out funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten programs in certain areas, with plans to expand across the state. This program provides eligible children with 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten per week for two years before starting school. To be eligible, a child must be 3 by 30 April in the year they start kindergarten.
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Long day care fees
In Australia, kindergarten programs are delivered by many long day care services. Each long day care service has its own fee structure, and fees will depend on the length of time your child spends in care and the service provided.
Long day care services are assessed under national quality standards, and their ratings are published online. The quality rating helps parents decide which service to choose.
In Victoria, families with children enrolled in a participating long day care service receive an annual fee offset. The Free Kinder program is funded directly by the Victorian Government, meaning families don't have to claim the savings back, and their fees are reduced. In 2025, the Free Kinder offset was $2,101 per year, or $52.53 per week over 40 weeks.
In Queensland, long day care services must make their Statement of Fees available on their premises or on their website. Some long day care services can enrol children at any time, while others have a waiting list.
One parent in Australia reported paying $145 per week for three days of kindergarten, which works out to around $7,000 per year.
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Childcare subsidies
In Australia, kindergarten programs are offered by both public and private institutions. While there are free kindergarten programs available, some parents have reported fees of up to $7000 per year for three days a week.
The Australian government offers childcare subsidies to help with the cost of childcare. These subsidies are means-tested, with the amount of subsidy depending on a family's income and circumstances. For example, families with multiple children under five in childcare may be eligible for a higher subsidy.
To be eligible for childcare subsidies, certain requirements must be met. The subsidies are typically paid directly to the childcare provider, and the family pays the remaining fees. The Australian government has also introduced a Free Kinder program, which is available to all families regardless of their eligibility for childcare subsidies. This program provides free sessional kindergarten programs or an annual fee offset for long day care.
Despite these initiatives, some have argued that childcare remains unaffordable for many Australian families, particularly those with low to middle incomes. It has been estimated that hundreds of thousands of families will continue to spend a significant proportion of their income on childcare, even with the available subsidies.
It is important to note that the affordability and availability of kindergarten and childcare can vary across different states and territories in Australia. While some areas offer free kindergarten programs, others may have different arrangements or costs.
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Frequently asked questions
In Victoria, Australia, kindergarten is free for 3 and 4-year-olds for however many hours the government is funding. Families with children enrolled in a participating sessional kindergarten receive a free program.
A sessional kindergarten is typically run by the local council and offers free programs for families with children enrolled.
Yes, families can opt to receive 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten through a long day care centre. This typically reduces the fees slightly.
In the ACT, preschools are associated with primary schools and are free other than a voluntary contribution. However, it is unclear whether kindergarten is free in other Australian states.
Yes, the Australian Government is introducing a Preschool Outcomes Measure tool to improve outcomes for children. There is also the Commonwealth Childcare Subsidy and the Free Kinder offset, which reduces fees for kindergarten.
