Appendix 3 - Further guidelines - English as a Second Language (ESL) tuition
Overview
Including a student in this part of the Census depends on whether the school’s principal has decided an enrolled student is classified as a student requiring ESL tuition or not.
The school should assess relevant students and have documented evidence to support the principal’s decision about whether or not the student requires ESL tuition. This evidence 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.
Whether or not a student requires ESL tuition
A part-time or full-time student who is eligible to be included on the Census for requiring ESL tuition should be included if, on or before Census Day, the school’s principal has formed an opinion that the student requires ESL tuition at the time of the Census. The principal must document their reasons with substantiating evidence. The assessment must be no older than one year.
Examples: ESL tuition - eligible
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Marie is a student enrolled at the school. Marie speaks Aboriginal English and is not fully proficient in Standard Australian English. The school’s principal has determined that Marie should receive ESL tuition.
Decision: Marie is eligible to be counted as a student requiring ESL tuition because the principal has determined, on or before Census Day, that Marie requires ESL tuition and has documented their reasons for forming that opinion.
Examples: ESL tuition - eligible
- Linh is a student enrolled at the school. Linh’s parents moved to Australia late last year. Linh is 14 years old and is in Year 8, the second year of secondary education. The school’s principal has assessed Linh’s English proficiency and decided that Linh should receive ESL tuition.
Decision: Linh is eligible to be counted as a student requiring ESL tuition because the principal has determined, on or before Census Day, that Linh requires ESL tuition and has documented their reasons for forming that opinion.
Examples: ESL tuition - eligible
- Olivia is a student enrolled at the school. The school’s principal assessed Olivia’s English proficiency in October last year and decided that Olivia should receive ESL tuition.
Decision: Olivia is eligible to be counted as a student requiring ESL tuition because the principal has determined, within one year prior to Census Day, that Olivia requires ESL tuition and has documented their reasons for forming that opinion.
Examples: ESL tuition - not eligible
- Kevin is a student enrolled at the school. Kevin’s parents migrated to Australia from China when Kevin was five years old. Neither of his parents speaks English. Kevin is now in Year 6 and he speaks, reads and writes English fluently.
Decision: Kevin is not eligible to be counted as a student requiring ESL tuition because he is proficient in Standard Australian English.
Examples: ESL tuition - not eligible
Erick is a student enrolled at the school. Erick’s parents migrated to Australia when Erick was five years old. Erick is in Year 1. The school’s principal has not assessed whether Erick requires ESL tuition.
Decision: Erick is not eligible to be counted as a student requiring ESL tuition because the principal has not determined, on or before Census Day, that Erick requires ESL tuition.
Examples: ESL tuition - not eligible
Hamish is a student enrolled at the school. In January last year, the school’s principal assessed Hamish’s English proficiency and determined that he required ESL tuition. However, Hamish’s English proficiency has not been reassessed again since that time.
Decision: Hamish is not eligible to be counted as a student requiring ESL tuition because his English proficiency has not been assessed within one year prior to Census Day.
>> Appendix 4
Last updated 20 January, 2026