The education system in Tasmania comprises the education of children from their early years, through kindergarten, primary and high school, and tertiary education in universities and vocational education and training organisations. The system is delivered by the government-run K-12 schooling system, and numerous independent schools and colleges, most of which are controlled or sponsored by religious organisations. Public education in Tasmania is managed primarily by the Tasmanian Department of Education. The Department is responsible for all aspects of education in Tasmania including schooling, adult education, the State Library and TasTAFE, a vocational tertiary institution with many campuses around the state. Education in Australia details a national overview of the education system. History The oldest tertiary institution to be founded in Australia was the theological school Christ College in Bishopsbourne, Tasmania, in 1846. Today Christ College is a residential college of the University of Tasmania, which was founded in 1890, making the university the fourth oldest in the country. In 1868 Tasmania became the first Australian colony to introduce compulsory education. In 1885 the Tasmanian Department of Education was founded under the Education Act 1885 (Tas), the fifth Australian colony to establish a government department with specific responsibility for education and public instruction. In 1908 school fees for compulsory education were abolished, the last Australian state to do so. Early childhood education The Tasmanian Education Department Launching into Learning program is a free program for young children (from birth to 4 years old) and their families. It helps parents and their child get to know their local school and other families. Launching into Learning operates in all Tasmanian Government primary and district schools and Child and Family Centres. Primary education Whereas all other Australian states have a two-tiered system for primary and secondary education, in Tasmania a three-tiered system applies covering primary, high school for students from Years 7 to 10, and colleges for students in Years 11 and 12, and in some college, an optional Year 13. Kindergarten commences for children aged from four years old on 1 January in the year of enrolment. Children who are formally identified as gifted may be eligible to start Kindergarten early – and they must be aged at least three years and six months as of 1 January in the year in which they will start. Students begin their first year of school (preparatory) in the year the child will turn six years