Full-time students
A full-time student is a person who satisfies the student definition and undertakes a workload equivalent to, or greater than, that usually undertaken by a student of that year. This definition relates to workload and not to enrolment. A full-time student has a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of 1.0.
A full-time student can be included if the student:
- is formally enrolled at the school; and
- is acknowledged by the school as having attended the school for at least 11 days of the program or course of study for which the student is enrolled between the first day of the school year and Census Day (the ‘Relevant period’ [‘RP’]).
A full-time student is also taken to have attended the school during the RP if:
- the student attended the school for less than 11 days because of the student’s absence from the school; and
- the student’s absence was for a reason that was beyond the control of the student’s parent or guardian, or the student (if living independently).
Enrolment and attendance records, and all associated documentation used in determining eligibility for students to be counted on the Census form, must be retained by the school/governing body for a period of five years from Census Day, and in a way that ensures the integrity and security of the data and documents.
A full-time student must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or person with appropriate resident status.
Students accessing one or more subjects at a state School of Distance Education
New in 2020
Students who are enrolled full-time in a non-State school can undertake one or more subjects at a state School of Distance Education if:
- the subject is not offered by the non-State school; or
- the subject is offered by the non-State school, but the student is unable to access it due to a timetable clash or other special circumstance.
The non-State school generally pays the fee for the provision of distance education to the School of Distance Education and provides computer, internet and telephone access at school for the school based studies.
Secondary students undertaking TAFE/tertiary studies or school–based apprenticeship or traineeship
In addition to school subjects which are accredited by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) as contributing to a Year 12 (or equivalent) certificate, students undertaking any of the following should be included as full-time students:
- TAFE;
- tertiary studies;
- school-based apprenticeships or traineeships;
- work placements;
- VET in schools or a combination of such alternative pathways; and/or
- any combination of the above.
Students to be excluded
- students who are not formally enrolled at the school;
- full-time students who have attended less than 11 days from the first day of the school year up to Census Day. Students may be included, however, if the absence was beyond the control of the student’s parent or guardian, or student (if living independently);
- part-time students;
- students who are registered, or provisionally registered, in Queensland for home education;
- children who are prohibited from engaging in studies as a condition of a visa;
- overseas students (refer to the Overseas students section);
- students on visitor visas, bridging visas with study limitations or no visa (refer to the Students on visitor visas, bridging visas with study limitations or no visa section);
- underage Prep Year students, unless the student is enrolled under the provisions outlined in section 17 of the Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2017;
- students who attended the school for specialist or sporting activities, but are not formally enrolled at the school; and
- students who have left the school (for example, have ceased education or changed schools). Schools must keep verifiable information on the date the student exited the school, that is, the student’s last day of attendance.
Vodcasts
Click on the links to watch short vodcasts explaining:
- the application of the minimum attendance requirements and applying the ‘Beyond the control of’ test; and
- full-time attendance – not eligible, even though exemption from attendance is granted by principal, further explained.
Further information is available in Appendix 2.
Last updated 30 January, 2020