From 2025, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten in Victoria began gradually transitioning to Pre-Prep. This means that hours will steadily increase from 15 hours to 30 hours per week. By 2036, all services will offer between 16 and 30 hours each week of kindergarten for 4-year-olds.
Led by qualified teachers, the increase in hours through Pre-Prep will give 4-year-old children more opportunities to socialise and learn through play.
A further 12 local government areas (LGAs) will deliver Pre-Prep in 2026, following a successful launch in 6 LGAs in 2025.
The staged schedule allows time to grow the necessary workforce and build the infrastructure required, and for services to prepare for expanded programs.
New LGAs will start to deliver Pre-Prep each year:
- From 2025 through to 2028, Pre-Prep will roll out in all Victorian regional LGAs (except Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong).
- From 2032, Pre-Prep will begin rolling out in Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
- From 2034, Pre-Prep will begin rolling out in Metropolitan Melbourne.
Pre-Prep will also be rolled out to the below priority groups across Victoria:
- From 2026, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from a refugee or asylum seeker background, and children who have had contact with Child Protection will have access to Pre-Prep. In addition, if a child is eligible for Early Start Kindergarten or enrolled in Access to Early Learning in 2025, they can start Pre-Prep in 2026.
- From 2028, children who have (or have a parent or guardian who has) a Commonwealth concession card, and children from a multiple birth (triplets or more) will have access to Pre-Prep.
See the roll-out map and link to full roll-out schedule below, which also outlines how many hours are available and when.
Resources
- Four-Year-Old Kindergarten is becoming Pre-Prep(opens in a new window): for information about Pre-Prep, as well as a calculator you can share with families which will allow them to check their child’s eligibility for Pre-Prep.
- Pre-Prep roll-out schedule: for information about the roll-out schedule.
Updated