Objective:To study the distribution of blood cholesterol concentration in a sample of Western Australian schoolchildren.Design:The Reflotron dry‐chemistry system (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) was used to measure cholesterol in finger‐prick blood samples obtained from Year 6 children aged 10–12 years attending government schools in metropolitan Perth. Recruitment methods ensured that children from different socioeconomic strata were represented.Participants:For the 1239 children enrolled in Year 6 in 30 government schools, parental consent to participate was obtained for 1144; of these cholesterol concentration was measured in 1112.Results:The measurement method proved practicable and was generally well accepted. Cholesterol levels were somewhat lower than those obtained using a laboratory reference method and a bias, relative to national quality assurance standards, was estimated to be ‐0.32 mmol/L. Mean cholesterol level in boys (4.28 mmol/L, SD 0.69) was not significantly different from that in girls (4.35 mmol/L, SD 0.72). Allowing for measurement bias, 52% of boys and 57% of girls had cholesterol levels exceeding the National Heart Foundation's designated “desirable” level of 4.5 mmol/L for children.Conclusions:The distribution of cholesterol levels in Australian children compares unfavourably with distributions in children in countries with low rates of cardiovascular disease and indicates a need for widespread, appropriate diet and lifestyle changes.