2024 Sessional kindergarten

Free sessional kindergarten

The Victorian State Government has made 3 and 4-year-old sessional kindergarten free. This means you are no longer required to pay fees for your child to register or attend sessional kindergarten.

Can I apply for kindergarten from overseas? 

You cannot apply for 2024 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten if you are currently overseas. This is because of the limited vacancies at most kindergartens and places can only be held for very short times to complete an enrolment application.

If your child is living overseas, you must also have your child’s immunisations records checked before your child can start kindergarten. You will need to give the kindergarten proof that your child vaccinations are up-to-date to Australian standards or proof that they are on catch up program before they can attend kindergarten.

See our immunisation requirements section for more information.

Due to system security, you will be unable to apply using the online portal system from outside of Australia.

My child has recently arrived in Australia and I want to apply for kindergarten.

If you and your child have been living overseas and have recently moved to Australia for work, study or to live, you must have your child’s immunisations records checked before your child can start kindergarten. You will need to give the kindergarten proof that your child vaccinations up-to-date to Australian standards or proof that they are on catch up program before they can attend kindergarten.

See our immunisation requirements section for more information.

How to apply for the 2024 sessional kindergarten?

Not all kindergartens have vacancies in 2024.

Please contact the Kindergarten Central Enrolment team before applying for 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten in 2024 to find out which kindergartens currently have places available and how to enrol.

Please email centralenrolments@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or call  9240 2477.

  • Your child must be 3 years of age by 30 April 2024 to apply for 3-year-old kindergarten in 2024. Children can only attend 3-year-old kindergarten once they have turned 3 years old.

    If your child is attending 3-year-old kindergarten elsewhere, including at a child care centre, you will need to cancel that kindergarten place to transfer the funding to the new kindergarten you are applying for.

    If your child attended 3-year-old kindergarten last year (2023) you cannot receive another year of 3-year-old kindergarten. Children cannot do two years of 3-year-old kindergarten.

  • Your child must be 4 years of age by 30 April 2024 to apply for 4-year-old kindergarten in 2024.

    If your child is attending 4-year-old kindergarten elsewhere, including at child care, you will need to cancel that kindergarten place to transfer the funding to the new kindergarten you are applying for. 

    If your child attended 4-year-old kindergarten last year (2023), they will not be eligible for a second year unless the teacher has deemed them eligible and completed the second-year application through the Department of Education (DE).

    If your child has been approved for a second year of funded 4-year-old kindergarten please email centralenrolments@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or call  9240 2477 to discuss the application process.


What are the participating and non-participating kindergartens? 

You can see which kindergartens are part of the Merri-bek Central Enrolment Scheme in our 2024: 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten enrolment poster (PDF).

If you are interested in one of these kindergartens, you will need to contact the Kindergarten Central Enrolment team to discuss if there are places available.

There are also kindergartens that are not part of the Merri-bek Central Enrolment Scheme. You can see them in this list of 3 and 4-year-old sessional kindergartens that are not part of the Merri-bek Central Enrolments scheme (PDF). 

Please contact these kindergartens directly if you want to enquire about vacancies and how to enrol.

Choosing a kindergarten

As not all kindergartens still have vacancies in 2024, we ask for families to please contact the Kindergarten Central Enrolment team to discuss availability at your preferred kindergarten before applying.

If a kindergarten is full, you can still apply however you will need to wait until a place becomes available. A place will only become available if there is a cancellation or change to the group's capacity.

When you contact the Kindergarten Central Enrolment team, they will discuss with you which kindergartens have availability and which session times they can offer you.

What are the requirements for  a kindergarten application?

  • Kindergarten applications require you to:

    • Complete an application for each child
    • Include all relevant supporting documentation in your application
    • Ensure that your child’s name is written as it appears on their birth certificate, passport, or Australian Immunisation History Statement
    • Have the application completed and signed as the parent and/or guardian
    • Provide a copy of any court order, intervention order, or parental/guardian order in place in relation to the child’s custody with your application
    • Provide supporting documents if you are the child’s guardian but not the parent

    The Kindergarten Central Enrolment team will only discuss information regarding your child with the person/s listed as a contact in the application.

    Please note: your application does not guarantee your child a place in that kindergarten.

Supporting documents for kindergarten applications

  • You will need to provide proof of your child's age by attaching a copy of your child’s birth certificate, passport, Australian Immunisation History Statement, or immigration document to your kindergarten application.

  • You will need to provide proof that your child lives in Merri-bek. This can be done by providing a recent document with your name and street address, such as your:

    • Rates notice
    • Property contract of sale (section with the name of purchaser and address)
    • Rental lease agreement
    • Utility bill
    • Driver licence
    • Home or car insurance receipt

  • If you do not live in the City of Merri-bek you will need to provide us with proof of your link to the City of Merri-bek (the municipality). This can be done in the following ways:

    • If you work or study in Merri-bek, a letter or invoice from your employer or education provider, or a copy of your student card.
    • If you have a child who attends a child care centre or a school in Merri-bek, provide a copy of a fee invoice from the service provider.
    • Non-residents with no link to Merri-bek can apply for kindergarten. 

  • If you or your child is an asylum seeker you will need to provide a copy of a visa or immigrant document.

  • If you or your child has refugee status, then you will need to provide a copy of their ImmiCard.

    You can find out more about ImmiCards on the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs website.

  • If your child has additional needs, then you will need to provide a copy of a support letter from a medical professional or community health service about these needs.

  • If there is any court order, intervention order, or parental/guardian order in place in relation to the child’s custody, you will need to provide a copy of an intervention, parental or custodial order document.

What are the immunisation requirements for kindergarten attendance?

  • Your child's immunisation records must be up to date before they can attend kindergarten unless they have an immunisation exemption.

    You must show a copy of your child's up-to-date Australian Immunisation History Statement schedule to the kindergarten they are attending.

    Please note: kindergartens cannot accept an immunisation book or letter from your doctor. You can get your child’s Immunisation History Statement:

    The Immunisation History Statement will show us if your child is:

    • fully immunised for their age
    • on a vaccination catch-up program
    • unable to be fully immunised for medical reasons

    You can find out more by calling 1800 653 809 or on the Victorian Government Department of Health website.

    Families who do not hold a Medicare card must call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 to request an Immunisation History Statement. A Translating and Interpreting service is available on weekdays from 8:30am to 4:45pm if you call 131 450.

    You can email immunisation@merri-bek.vic.gov.au for advice on immunisation and getting your Immunisation History Statement.