Astrid, my understanding is that all state schools in Victoria (at least) have these types of info sessions at the beginning of the school term.
Year 3 this year and the first time interviews have been held at the start of the year. The reason give was nothing to do with what other schools were doing. An info session, is different to a 3 way interview with the teacher, parents and student.
We are are a regional school and tend to follow what the other schools in the region are doing (principals have regular meetings), what they decide to do as a group may differ to what is done in Melbourne schools.
(not posting as an argument, just an FYI )