❓ Mr Staltari asks about the number of students leaving WA public schools without enrolling elsewhere in WA. The Minister provides figures for 2021-2024, noting reasons for leaving and inability to provide a regional breakdown.
AnsweredQoN 78Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In the 2024 school year, how many students attending a WA public school ceased to attend that school entirely and failed to subsequently enrol in another school in WA? (2) For the figure listed in (1), please provide a numerical breakdown of the schools that each student ceased to attend by Education Region? (3) What is the answer for (1) and (2) for the school years 2023, 2022 and 2021?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 June 2025
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
10 days
The School Education Act 1999 requires a child to be enrolled in an education program for each year of the compulsory education period. This requirement can be achieved through enrolment at a school, a parent being registered as the child’s home educator or through the alternatives to schooling that are available to students in their final 2-years of compulsory education. The alternatives include an apprenticeship, other fulltime work, studying a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course or a course of study at a university, or a combination of these options.
The Act also provides authority for the Minister for Education, to give an exemption if it is in the best interest of a child.
The Department of Education advises:
(1) In 2024, 7,890 WA public school students ceased to attend their school entirely and failed to subsequently enrol in another school in WA. Of these, 76% of them left school to undertake work or training, including TAFE, primarily through notices of arrangement, or moved interstate or overseas.
(2) A school breakdown by region is unavailable.
(3) 2023: 7,663
2022: 8,694
2021: 8,560
The Act also provides authority for the Minister for Education, to give an exemption if it is in the best interest of a child.
The Department of Education advises:
(1) In 2024, 7,890 WA public school students ceased to attend their school entirely and failed to subsequently enrol in another school in WA. Of these, 76% of them left school to undertake work or training, including TAFE, primarily through notices of arrangement, or moved interstate or overseas.
(2) A school breakdown by region is unavailable.
(3) 2023: 7,663
2022: 8,694
2021: 8,560
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