Queensland floats universal 'free kindy' before budget

The Queensland government has floated making kindergarten free for all children. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Universal free kindergarten has been put on Queensland's pre-budget agenda as a potential cost-of-living salve for families.

The Queensland government has flagged it is seriously considering making kindergarten free for all children, following in the footsteps of states such as NSW and Victoria.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants to close the gap and get more children into "free kindy" to experience crucial play-based learning before entering primary school.

"What we are hearing from our prep teachers is that there is a big gap between those children who have had kinder and those who have not," she told reporters at Brisbane's New Farm Park on Sunday. 

Kindergarten is already free for roughly 14,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Queensland and subsidised for a further 26,000 under a $1 billion package over the next five years.

But about 8000 kindergarten-age children across the state are still not enrolled.

Making it free will bring more of those kids into the system and help families' hip pockets, Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace said.

"It'll mean that over 50,000 families will have cost of living relief," she added.

"It'll be a remarkable saving and it is something that we are seriously considering in relation to the budget."

Ms Grace stopped short of declaring the policy a sure thing and declined to provide a cost estimate, saying the government wanted to first consult with stakeholders and families. 

Victoria and NSW are moving to provide all children in their state with a full year of free education before officially starting school. 

Both programs are expected to be rolled out by the end of the decade.

The Palaszczuk government will look at the various proposed models as a blueprint but Ms Grace pointed out Queensland's pre-school system differs to other states.

"We're more closely aligned with NSW," Ms Grace said.

"Our delivery mode is definitely one that we can definitely do it but we want to talk to service providers too about how we identify the kindy component in long day care so they get those 15 hours fully funded and free."

The Queensland state budget will be handed down on June 13.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store