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Home > Census instructions > Appendix 2 - Further guidelines - attendance

Appendix 2 - Further guidelines - attendance

Attending the school for less than the prescribed number of days between the start of the school year and ending on Census Day.

Overview

A student (whether full-time or part-time) must be enrolled at the school.

A student who has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days between the first day that students are to attend the school at the start of the school year and ending on Census Day, can be included in the Census, if the student's absence was for a reason that was beyond the control of:

In each case where a student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days and been included in the Census, there must be documented evidence confirming the reasons preventing the student from attending the school during this period.

Documentation detailing the explanation of the absence and confirming that the absence was beyond the control of the student’s parents or guardians, or the student, if living independently, 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.

Non-exhaustive list of examples

Below are some examples to assist governing bodies to accurately complete the Census form.

The examples include situations where a student’s enrolment takes place after 11 days prior to Census Day and on or before Census Day.

Examples are given of reasons for absence that are beyond the control of the student's parent/guardian, or the student (if living independently). These reasons for absence include:

While it is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of particularised examples to cover all contingencies in schools, the following provides some guidance in situations which arise from time-to-time.

Multiple examples or circumstances may apply during the relevant period for a student. If an example states that the student can be included or counted in the Census, this refers to the days that can be counted towards attendance for that example only. Overall the student may still not be eligible if the days that the student was attending the school plus the absences that were beyond the control do not add up to 11 or more.

Student is enrolled after late, but before Census Day and on or before Census Day

An enrolled student whose enrolment takes place late, but before Census Day and on or before Census Day is to be included if the student has not attended the school for the prescribed number of days and if the student's absence was for a reason that was beyond the control of the student’s parent, or the student (if living independently).

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Natural disasters – cyclone, bushfire, flood

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has been prevented from attending for the prescribed number of days due to a natural disaster (for example, cyclone, bushfire, flood); irrespective of whether the student has attended the school on or before Census Day.


Example - Full-time enrolment - eligible


Example - Full-time enrolment - not eligible

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Student transferring from a State or another non-State school

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has ‘transferred’ from another school (State or non-State), and has been prevented from attending school for the prescribed number of days, irrespective of whether the student has attended the school on or before Census Day.

Examples - Full-time - eligible




Example - Full-time enrolment - not eligible

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Student illness

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has been prevented2 from attending for the prescribed number of days due to the student’s medical condition (verified by supporting evidence, for example, record of parental contact or medical certificate); irrespective of whether the student has attended the school on or before Census Day.

2 'prevented' must be for a reason that met the 'Beyond the control of' test.

Student travel (for example, holidays)

An enrolled student is not to be included if the student has not attended the school for the prescribed number of days due to planned travel (for example, holidays) during the period from the start of the school year and ending on Census Day.

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has been absent because of planned travel (for example, holidays) during the summer holidays and has been unable, due to unforeseen circumstances that met the 'Beyond the control of' test, to return as planned in order to attend the school for the prescribed number of days; irrespective of whether the student has attended the school on or before Census Day.

Examples - Full-time enrolment - eligible



Examples - Full-time enrolment - not eligible


Examples - Full-time enrolment - not eligible, even though exemption from attendance is granted by principal

Student suspension (howsoever called) from attendance

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days, because the student has been suspended from attendance under a student disciplinary arrangement applying to the school.

Enrolled student is a competitor in an elite level sports competition

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days, because the student is participating in an elite level sporting competition.

An ‘elite level sports competition’ is a sporting competition at a state, national or international level.

Example - Full-time enrolment - eligible

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Student emotional and behavioural issues

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days, but the student has been absent because of the student’s emotional issues or behaviour, or both, provided that an officer of the school has been actively and consistently working with the student to facilitate the student’s attendance.

Example - Full-time enrolment - eligible

See Tania's scenario under transfers for an example related to student bullying and applying the 'Beyond the control of' test.

Death of, or physical or mental illness of, a member of the student’s immediate family

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has been prevented from attending for the prescribed number of days because of the death of, or physical or mental illness of (as verified by, for example, a parent/guardian), a member of the student’s immediate family (such as a parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling); irrespective of whether the student has attended the school on or before Census Day.

Family reasons

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days due to family reasons that were beyond the control of the parent or guardian, or the student (if living independently). This includes, but is not limited to, child safety, domestic violence, custody or legal matters.
An enrolled student is not to be included if the student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days due to family reasons that were within the control of the parent or guardian, or the student (if living independently).

Pandemic

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days due to a health direction relating to COVID-19 preventing the student from attending the school.

An enrolled student is to be included if the student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days due to the student or an immediate family member that the student lives with being considered at risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

An enrolled student is not to be included if the student has attended the school for less than the prescribed number of days due to being absent by choice and not because of a health direction or at-risk reason.

>> Appendix 3

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Last updated 31 January, 2023

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