Can the Department of Education and Training help me locate my child/ren?

If you are separated from your child/children because another parent or carer has them in their custody, you may speak to their enrolled school or the Department regarding their enrolment details in order to locate them.

For further information and advice please see the 'Parents seeking information regarding their children' section.

What are my responsibilities regarding my child’s attendance at school?

It is the law that compulsory school-aged children must attend school or participate in an educational program of a school, on the days on which the school is open for instruction, unless a written arrangement has been entered into for the student.

Beginning In 2006 and 2007, education is compulsory to the end of the year in which students’ turn 16. From 2008, education is compulsory for students until the end of the year in which they turn 17.

What happens if my child doesn’t go to school?

1. You need to provide the school with a reasonable explanation for your child’s absence either verbally or by letter.
2. If your child’s attendance falls below 90% over a term, the school will contact you.
3. If unsatisfactory attendance continues without adequate explanations, the school should invite you to a case conference, where a plan will be developed to assist you and your child to maintain satisfactory school attendance.
4. If, through this process of case management, your child’s attendance does not improve, the school may seek support from the district education office or, with your consent, from other agencies.
5. If unsatisfactory attendance continues, the school may call an attendance panel to resolve the matter.
6. If, despite all efforts made by the school and district staff your child’s attendance is still unsatisfactory, the school or district has the right under the School Education Act 1999 to proceed to prosecution for non-attendance. Taking the issue to the courts is only done as a last resort, in the interest of the adequate education and subsequent life opportunities of the child concerned.

Who can help if I can’t get my child to go to school?

The classroom teacher, deputy and principal of your child’s school will have ideas that you can try to encourage your child to attend school regularly. They may also have access to specialists such as Home-School Liaison Officers, Aboriginal Islander Education Officers or chaplains.

There is additional support available at the district level from attendance staff, retention and participation staff, school psychologists and others. The school may recommend a referral to another agency to help your family address some of the issues behind your child’s school absences.