Any aussies out there? What age do kids start to write?

[Wentsworth]

So I'm English and just moved to Australia with DP's work 2 weeks ago.

I am curios to know, at what age do kids learn to read/write here?

I've made friends with a neighbour who has a 5yo son. His name is only 3 letters long. I was there today and he was making a birthday card for a friend and his mum wrote it all for him, including his name.

She told me that here they don't start learning to write until they're 6? Is this right? I find that hard to believe but I don't want to come across as judgy!! I know all places are different but I'm sure in the UK we learn as young as nursery school?

Where I am they would start basic writing (so a name) in Kindy, which is 4 years old.

What state are you in?

Surely by 3/4 they can spell their name? To them it's just a pattern of shapes. Ours started school at 2.9 (in Spain, age 3-6 is optional, but it is free 9-4.30, so everyone goes; very play-based), anyway, he had to recognise his own name by 3.5 or so and attempt to write it by 4, at least.

DS' is 5 letters long, the S was tricky - sometimes horizontal sometimes missing the top bit entirely but he got there.

Perhaps the parent you saw had not much time to get stuff done and thought ffs it's quicker to do it myself!

Sorry, posting from Spain but I'd imagine there isn't much difference?

Our preschool says that local schools prefer kids not to learn to read and write before school, only that the recognise and can write their name. They're more focused on things like the social and emotional side of preparing for school, learning independence and resilience, playing well, and all the fine and gross motor skills needed. While i appreciate that, i'm teaching my 3yo a bit more in terms of letters and numbers, so i'm hoping by the time she starts she will be able to read.

I'm in NSW by the way