The School Attendance Policy sets out the requirements for the attendance of students in NSW government schools.
Compulsory schooling
Parents or carers of children of compulsory school age are responsible for ensuring their child attends school every day. Children must commence school by age 6 and then complete year 10.
More information on compulsory school attendance is available below.
- Compulsory school attendance - information for parents
- Why attendance matters
Attendance and absences
Parents of children from Kindergarten to Year 12 must ensure their children attend school every day. On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include:
- being sick or having an infectious disease
- having an unavoidable medical appointment
- being required to attend a recognised religious holiday
- exceptional or urgent family circumstances e.g. attending a funeral.
Generally if your child feels unwell, keep them home from school and consult your doctor. This chart and the information it contains is not intended to take the place of a consultation with your doctor.
Parents must provide an explanation for absences to the school within 7 days from the first day of any period of absence. Where an explanation has not been received within the 7-day timeframe, the school will record the absence as unjustified on the student's record.