Exemption from full-time schooling
Find out when you need an Exemption Certificate or Approval Statement, when your situation prevents you from attending school.
By law, all ACT children and young people aged from 6 to 17 years must be either:
- enrolled in and attending school full-time
- registered for home education
- doing approved work-related training or employed, if they've completed year 10 and are not yet 17.
This applies to students in both public and non-government schools.
When you need approval
Some situations may prevent your child from meeting these requirements. For example:
- mental health and wellbeing reasons
- physical health
- training and employment.
If your child is not attending school full-time, you need to have this approved. This is:
- because the Education Act 2004 requires compulsory schooling
- to make sure children and young people are safe and get a quality education.
Depending on the age of your child and what they'll be doing instead of school, you need either an:
- Exemption Certificate
- Approval Statement.
You do not need either of these if your child will be continuing their education with:
Exemption Certificate
You need an Exemption Certificate if your child is:
- aged between 6 and 17 years
- not attending school full-time.
You do not need an Exemption Certificate if your child is:
- travelling or going on a family holiday
- moving overseas with your family
- going on a student exchange
- taking part in sports or arts activities
- doing school work experience
- doing an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA).
To apply, email ExemptionCertificates@act.gov.au and ask for a form. The form requires:
- your school principal's signature
- evidence that supports your application.
If you live in NSW and are enrolled in an ACT public school, apply for the NSW Department of Education's Certificate of Exemption.
For more information, email ExemptionCertificates@act.gov.au.
Approval Statement
You need an Approval Statement if your child:
- is aged under 17 years
- has completed year 10
- wants to do work-related training (like an Australian Apprenticeship) or a job instead of school.
A parent or guardian must sign the application unless the child can prove they live independently.
Work-related training must be:
- a traineeship or apprenticeship
- at least 25 hours a week.
Jobs must be:
- paid
- at least 25 hours a week
- following the relevant employment award (for example, hospitality industry general award).
You can combine training, work and education if they add up to at least 25 hours a week.
You do not need an Approval Statement if your child is doing:
- an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA)
- school work experience
- a part-time job outside school hours.
To apply, complete the Approval Statement application form [PDF 237 KB].
For more information, email EDUApprovalStatements@act.gov.au.
If you live in NSW and are enrolled in an ACT public school, apply for the NSW Department of Education's Certificate of Exemption.