School education is thirteen years with some variations in Queensland and Western Australia. It is divided into a preparatory year, primary schooling and secondary schooling. The preparatory year is not compulsory but is almost universally undertaken. Children usually start in the preparatory year at around five years of age although in some States the starting age is closer to four years. Primary schooling is six or seven yearsYears 1-6 or 1-7, and secondary schooling is five or six yearsYears 7-12 or 8-12. School education is compulsory until the age of 15 except in Tasmania where it is compulsory until age 16.