Schools in QLD / Brisbane. How does it work?

[Doing my best]

My dd turns 5 in November and starts prep next year, then goes to grade 1,2,3 etc..

Not sure on the catholic schools being public, but if you have a rough idea of areas you might be living, then it is easier to narrow down what schools might be suitable..

[misty]

So 'prep' is the equivilent to our 'kindy' in ACT?? The first 'offical' year of school? We have preschool prior to kindy (for 4/5yr olds),, but I understand that most other states don't have this??
Which means my DD would remain in the same 'year' as she is currently?

(sorry, just trying to get my head around it all - it would be nice if all the states done things the same - I'm so confused)