Students are required to attend school from the age of six to 17. A parent or guardian must apply for an exemption from school attendance if they wish to take their child out of school temporarily or permanently.
Students must attend school regularly until the exemption has been approved.
On this page:
Common reasons for exemption
Conditional and part time exemptions
Permanent exemption
How to apply
Common reasons for exemption
Exemption from attendance at school is often wanted because of:
- family travel or holidays
- medical or health reasons
- home education
- full time employment - 16 years old only
- conditional exemption that is negotiated based on individual needs - eg part-time attendance, disability, behaviour problems requiring the need for time out of school.
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Conditional and part time exemptions
Approval for part-time exemption is only given under exceptional circumstances and generally requires:
- negotiation with the education department
- additional documentation
- case-planning for student programs that would require the student to attend for part of the day or week
- case-planning for the student's transition back to full time attendance over the agreed period of time.
Approval is given with the intention that the student will gradually increase their attendance during the exemption period until they are back at school on a full time basis.
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Permanent exemption
Students under 15 cannot be given a permanent exemption unless there are strong recommendations from the school and the education department.
Students aged 16 don't need an exemption if they can provide evidence that they are:
- attending TAFE or other courses
- doing an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Students aged 15 and 16 who are taking up full-time employment can apply for a permanent exemption from school. To qualify:
- students under 16 must be working more than 30 hours per week
- 16 year olds must be working more than 25 hours per week.
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How to apply
Step 1 – complete an application form
Step 2 – collect and attach supporting evidence
- Permanent exemptions require evidence such as letters from employers or training organisations. These must be submitted with the application form.
- Temporary exemptions may require supporting evidence. For more information check with the school principal.
Step 3 – lodge the form with the school principal
Submit all applications to the school principal. The school principal will make sure your form is sent to the right place.
Students must keep attending school until the exemption has been approved.
If your request is approved, you’ll be notified and an exemption certificate will be issued for exemptions longer than one month.
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More information
On this site
Attendance and absenteeism
External education
Education services for students who are unable to attend school due to illness or injury
ICAN – flexible learning options