Attendance at school

Attending school every day improves a child’s future life outcomes. It supports their learning and wellbeing.

Parents must make sure their child goes to school every day. This is a parent’s legal responsibility.

Attendance at school is required from the age of 6 years.

Compulsory school age – 6 to 16 years

Children and teenagers must be in school from 6 years to 16 years old.

They must attend a government or non-government school full-time unless they are at least 15 years old and have an exemption approved for full-time employment.

Compulsory education age – 16 to 17 years

Teenagers must go to school or an approved learning program until they turn 17 unless they:

• achieve their SACE or other qualification
• have an exemption approved for full-time employment.

Approved learning programs

Approved learning programs are run by:

• Vocational Education and Training (VET)
• TAFE SA
• registered training organisations (RTOs).

An approved learning program could be:

• accredited courses
• apprenticeships or traineeships
• university
• other programs authorised by the Minister for Education (or delegate).

Leaving school early for full-time employment

From 15 years, teenagers can seek approval for an exemption from school attendance if they have full-time employment. There are specific requirements.

If your child is 15 years old:

• they can seek an exemption from school
• they need a job that is at least 30 hours a week.

If your child is 16 years old:

• they can seek an exemption from school
• they need a job that is at least 25 hours a week.

Talk to your school if your child wants to work full-time. You'll need a letter from the employer that guarantees the job and number of hours your child will be employed.

If your child’s employment finishes before they turn 17, your child must go back to school.

Students and part-time employment

School students can work part-time as long as it's outside of school hours.

Part-time work must not interfere with school. For example, students should not work night shifts as this can make them tired. This makes it harder to learn the next day.

An employer or parent could be prosecuted if they ask a student to work in these ways. This means being fined or getting a criminal conviction.

If you need support with getting to school or preschool

Check the Department for Education’s attendance support for families webpages.

You can also call the parent helpline for support on 1300 364 100.

Related information

On this site

• Preschool and kindergarten services
• Starting primary school

Department for Education website

• Attendance policy (PDF 667 KB)
• Changing schools
• Missing school or preschool
• Other options for attending preschool
• Starting preschool

Legislation

Education and Children's Services Act 2019