The new Policy and Advisory Library (PAL) is now available. This page will be redirected to PAL from the start of Term 3. Make sure to update your bookmarks to the new PAL site. Topics in this section School attendance requirements and the law What is considered in attendance, get an exemption, why attendance is important Manage and record attendance Minimum requirements for recording attendance, systems and software How to consider absences Accepting explanations from parents, things to consider, learning plans for extended absences Unexplained absences What government schools must do, interventions, parent responsibilities Notify parents of an absence How to notify parents of a student absence, choosing an automated system How to improve school attendance Whole-school and individual strategies to improve school attendance Refer to a school attendance officer Information for principals on when and how to refer an attendance officer Attendance notices Information for school attendance notices on receiving a referral and issuing an attendance notice. Attendance infringements Choosing to issue an infringement or start court proceedings. Print the school attendance guidelines These pages have been developed from the school attendance guidelines. The guidelines support schools and school attendance officers to meet their responsibilities and duties under the Education and Training Reform 2006 and the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017. The guidelines were updated in January 2018. To download the guidelines in full, see: School Attendance Guidelines Get advice For more information and to make a referral to a school attendance officer, contact your regional office.