I dont think its a bad thing at all considering every other state, their equal reception year is compulsory; if you are 5 years old between April 30-July 31st depending on the state you go to kindergarten/prep/whatever. If you choose not to then you go as a 6yo, no bumping up a grade to year 1 just for age!

That first year is vitally important and all the teachers I know are adamant that children are DISadvantaged by not attending the first year of school if its not made compulsory (which Im pretty sure most states are now, SA might be the only one that it isnt still).