E-Petition

The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House that under current legislation governing Prep eligibility specifically that a child must turn five by 31 July the system does not allow flexibility for children with disabilities who demonstrate clear developmental, linguistic, social, or educational readiness for early entry.

Petitioners value retaining the 31 July cut-off; however, the lack of provisions for early entry in exceptional circumstances disproportionately affects children with disabilities, including Deaf children who need timely access to bilingual or accessible learning environments.

Departmental frameworks including the Early Entry to Prep Guidelines, Inclusive Education Policy (2022), and Queensland’s Human Rights Act 2019 support decisions based on individual capability and developmental evidence. Currently, the legislation prevents this flexibility.

Petitioners contend that controlled, evidence-based early entry would improve access, prevent language and social deprivation, and align Queensland law with inclusive education practices.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all within its power to:

1. Retain the 31 July Prep cut-off date, but
2. Amend the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 and related regulations to:
   • allow flexible early entry to Prep for children with disabilities, where supported by documented evidence of readiness;
   • include provisions recognising linguistic, communication, cultural, and peer-access needs,
   • establish a clear assessment process allowing families, specialists, and educators to provide supporting evidence; and
   • ensure departmental policies on inclusive education and early entry can be applied consistently and lawfully.