The national trend of school refusal and related matters

REPORT - August 2023

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Full Report (PDF)

Contents

Members

Abbreviations

List of recommendations

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Referral of the inquiry
Conduct of the inquiry
Acknowledgements
Structure of the report and references
Focus of the report
Language used in the report
Schooling in Australia
School attendance in Australia

Chapter 2 - School refusal in Australia

What is school refusal?
Drivers of school refusal

Chapter 3 - The impact of school refusal

Overview
The impact on young people
The impact on parents and carers
The impact on schools and service providers

Chapter 4 - Addressing school refusal: the need for a national approach

Overview
A national focus on school refusal
Data and research to support a national evidence base

Chapter 5 - Addressing school refusal: other barriers and opportunities

Overview
Improved awareness and understanding of school refusal
A stronger focus on student wellbeing in schools
Early identification and a framework for evidence-based interventions
Better cross-sector collaboration
More support for parents and carers

Chapter 6 - Committee view

Improving awareness and understanding of school refusal
Early identification of school refusal and evidence-based interventions
A national approach to school refusal
Increasing the focus on student wellbeing in schools
Improving crosssector collaboration
Improving support for parents

Learning and wellbeing in schools
Mental health and wellbeing services

Australian Greens' Senators additional comments

Appendix 1 - Submissions and Additional information

Appendix 2 - Public Hearings and Witnesses

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