Optional drop in Tas school start age

Children in Tasmania will be able to start school at four-and-a-half from 2020.

After months of debate including strong opposition from some teacher groups, Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff on Thursday said the bill will be tabled in September, but the reduction in age from five will be optional and not compulsory as initially proposed.

"Children will be required to start school in the prep year at five-years-old, just as they currently are. But if parents feel their child is ready, they can start six months earlier, at four-and-a-half," the minister said.