earlybloom.
Find support

Wondering if they're ready for school: what to look for and where to get help

Worried your child isn't ready for kindy or big school.

  • 1,900+Providers listed
  • 997Suburbs covered
  • FreeFor families to use

Understanding school readiness

Many parents worry when they notice their child is developing differently from other children the same age. These feelings are common, and help is available. Many allied health professionals in Australia work with children in this area.

Below are the services that most often help children with school readiness, and what each one does.

Recommended services to explore

Seeing your GP about this? Make a short summary to take with you.

Providers who can help with school readiness

See providers near you

Show more providers for school readiness

Find supportive care by state

Cost & funding

Fees depend on the service, the provider and the length of the session. Ask each provider for their fees before the first visit.

Medicare pays a rebate for some OT and speech therapy sessions when your GP writes a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan and a referral first. Some private health extras policies pay part of the cost of OT and speech therapy.

If your child has an NDIS plan that includes these supports, you can use it. If your plan is self-managed or plan-managed, you can also use providers that are not NDIS registered. If the NDIA manages your plan, you must use registered providers.

  • NDIS price limit

    $193.99 an hour

    OT and speech pathology, 2026–27.

  • Medicare rebate

    $63.40 a session

    Up to 5 sessions a year in total with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.

Note: NDIS price limits are the national maximums for NDIA-managed and plan-managed plans (NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026–27); remote areas have higher limits. Medicare rebates are from MBS Online, 1 July 2026. Providers can charge more than the rebate. Assessment fees come from provider websites in April 2026.

Work out what you might pay: cost calculatorRead our guide to NDIS early intervention funding

Frequently asked questions

What does "ready for school" mean?

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network says school readiness is when a child has the ability and skills to start school easily and successfully. The NSW Department of Education says children develop at different rates and learn skills in different ways, and that schools plan learning around the skills students bring with them. A 2019 opinion piece on Early Childhood Australia's website argues that school readiness should be about whether the school is ready or suitable for the child.

What can my child practise before they start?

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network lists school readiness tasks for children aged 4 to 5, such as pulling their own pants or skirt up and down for the toilet, sitting at a table for meals and snacks until they finish, and opening and closing their drink bottle and lunch box. It also suggests giving them 2-step instructions before they start. The NSW Department of Education says children can practise writing their first name, and schools encourage parents to read with their children every day for 15 minutes.

Does my child have to start at the usual age, or can we wait a year?

The NSW Department of Education says when your child starts school is an individual decision, and you may wish to discuss it with your child's preschool teacher, carer, doctor or local primary school. In NSW, children can start Kindergarten if they turn 5 on or before 31 July that year, and by law they must be in school by their 6th birthday. In Queensland, parents may delay their child's entry to Prep by one year if they feel the child is not ready, and no formal documentation, assessment or approval is required. These rules are for NSW and Queensland only, so ask your local primary school about the rules where you live.

What if my child finds some of these skills hard?

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network in NSW says that if your child has trouble with toileting tasks or holding a pencil by themselves, speak to your local child and family nurse service about support from an occupational therapist. If your child has trouble following 2-step instructions, it suggests asking the same service about a speech pathologist. It says developmental delays are likely to be identified at regular health check-ups with your family doctor. It also recommends booking your child's free four-year developmental check with your local family doctor when they are 4 years old.

How can I help my child settle into school?

The NSW Department of Education says most schools have orientation days towards the end of the year. It suggests walking or driving past the school regularly before school starts and being positive. It also suggests reassuring your child that it is OK to tell the teacher what they need and how they are feeling. In Queensland, the government suggests giving your child's Prep teacher their kindergarten transition statement.

Explore related developmental topics