Tasmanian draft Education Bill to change school starting age

A draft version of the state's Education Bill, released on Monday, recommended the lowering of the school starting age to four years and six months.

It was also recommended that the minimum education and training leaving requirements should extend until a student is 18 years old. 

Tasmania currently has the latest school starting age in Australia but the proposed changes plan to bring the age into line with the rest of the nation. 

"Currently, young Tasmanians can walk out of school with as much as two years less education than students across the country," Mr Rockliff said.

"Almost half of our children could be missing out on high quality learning at a young age because not every family can afford child care or private education."

Research has found that early education for disadvantaged children can go on to change the lives of disadvantaged children.   

Research from the University of Chicago found that investment into early education for disadvantaged children can help to reduce the achievement gap, reduce the need for special education, increase the likelihood of healthier lifestyles and lower the crime rate.

"It is also important to note, that the same curriculum operates in the early years of school (kinder) as does in private child care centres; it is play-based, enquiry-led and age appropriate learning and that will not change," Mr Rockliff said.

"Our proposal is not about forcing parents to send their children to school before they are ready." 

Mr Rockliff said the proposed changes had received widespread support from education stakeholders across the state.