Attendance Matters 

Fact sheet for parents/carers

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify their school as soon as possible on the day of absence using one of the following methods:

1. Online: log the absence directly using COMPASS platform. 

Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility.

Why do I need to notify the school if my child is absent?

Schools need to know when and why a child is absent and you need to know if your child isn’t at school. 

From the end of Term 2 2018, all Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained.

This system also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day – missing school puts them behind.

What is your responsibility?

You are legally required to ensure your child attends school every day or you must provide an explanation for their absence. You should let the school know in advance of any upcoming absences or let them know in the morning if your child won’t be at school. In order for schools to implement the same day notification requirement, it’s essential that you provide the school with your most up-to-date contact details.

Generally one notification will be sent per family. Should there be circumstances that require both parents and carers to be notified, please contact the school to make the necessary arrangements. 

If a student reaches five days of unapproved or unexplained absence in the preceding 12 months, and after it is shown that appropriate supports or interventions to assist them to attend school every day does not improve their attendance, the principal may decide to make a referral to the School Attendance Officer. This person is the Regional Director of the Department’s Regional Office where you are located.

The School Attendance Officer will investigate the student absence records and may take one or all of the following steps depending on the circumstances.

•           Issue a School Attendance Notice

•           Issue an Official Warning

•           Issue an Infringement Notice

The infringement notice for 2024/25 is $99. The amount changes each financial year.

What is the school’s responsibility?

The school must notify you of an unexplained absence in relation to your child as soon as practicable on the same day. 

Schools will let you know either by your school’s online communications app, SMS, phone call or email. If you can’t be reached because the school does not have your correct contact details (i.e. changed phone number, SMS/email failure notification received etc.), the school will attempt to make contact with any emergency contact/s nominated on your child’s file held by the school. Where possible, this contact will be made on the same day of the unexplained absence.

Where can I learn more about the process for managing student absences?

Ask your school for a copy of the Attendance Policy which outlines the school’s processes and procedures for monitoring, recording and following-up of student absences.

TOP ATTENDANCE TIPS FOR PARENTS

* Schools want to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s school and asking for advice and support

* Remember that every day counts

* There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness

* Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day

* Open and prompt communication with your child’s school about all absences is a good idea

* Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term

* Seek help from your school if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. Schools want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information and resources to help address attendance issues, visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/behaviour/Pages/studentattendance.aspx