Schools, preschools and childcare in NSW

Every NSW public primary school has a catchment zone (local enrolment area). If you live inside it, your child is guaranteed a place at that school. Schools outside your zone can accept your child only if they have places available. Use the Department's online School Finder to find the schools for your address.

Complete the online enrolment application or the paper application to enrol form, both in English. You usually need:

• your child's birth certificate or identity documents;
• proof of your residential address;
• an immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR);
• any family law or other court orders;
• medical or emergency action plans, and evidence of any disability or learning support plans.

New enrolments usually include an interview with the principal or a senior staff member. If you need help in your language, use the Department's translated instructions or call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Children of most temporary visa holders enrol through the Department's Temporary Residents Program, run by DE International, and you declare your current and previous visas. Fees apply for many temporary residents and depend on the visa and the age of the child, but you may be eligible for an exemption or a refund. Check the Temporary Residents Program page for your visa before you move.

You need to provide an immunisation certificate when you enrol your child at a NSW primary school. If you choose not to vaccinate, your child can still enrol, but may be asked to stay home during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease. Children must also meet immunisation requirements for the Child Care Subsidy. The NSW Immunisation Schedule shows which vaccines are recommended at which age.

NSW public preschools are fee-free: they cannot charge for enrolment, attendance, waiting lists or specialist programmes. Children can enrol from the beginning of the school year if they turn 4 before 31 July that year. Temporary residents can usually enrol on the same conditions as Australian citizens, but holders of visitor or tourist visas are not eligible. Places are limited, so apply early.

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS), claimed through Services Australia, pays part of the fees at approved services such as centre-based day care, family day care, in-home care and outside school hours care, if the family meets the eligibility rules, including residency requirements and the child's immunisation requirements; check whether your visa qualifies.

• Rates for 2026–27: up to 90% of the fee (or of the hourly rate cap, whichever is lower) for family incomes up to $88,520, falling by 1% for every $5,000 of income above that and reaching 0% at $538,520. Higher rates apply for second and younger children aged 5 or under.
• 3 Day Guarantee: since 5 January 2026, every eligible family can get at least 72 hours of subsidised care per child per fortnight, or 100 hours in some circumstances.
• Families still pay a gap fee in most cases.

If you are eligible for the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), free childcare is available for your children under school age while you attend class.