The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Minister for Education and Youth has released a 2021 Statement of Intent to provide continued reassurance to the schooling sector that a flexible approach will be used for compliance and reporting arrangements where obligations cannot be met due to the unforeseen and unavoidable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The links below provide additional information.
The Department is closely monitoring the effects COVID-19 may have upon the 2021 Non-Government School Census, particularly the current health orders in place for Queensland, Newcastle, and the Hunter region.
Schools across these areas have been impacted by public health orders over the week leading up to Census Day (Friday, 6 August). As schools have been operating as normal for the remaining 15 days of the Reference Period, we expect the Census to be completed as usual.
If a student does not attend school in person at any time during the Census Reference Period, they cannot be reported in the Census. A school may instead submit a Special Circumstances Application to have the student considered for inclusion in the Census. Applications are due Friday, 20 August 2021.
We acknowledge the disruption COVID-19 is having across affected school communities as they adjust to supporting the immediate needs of staff and students. If your school is having difficulty completing the Census, please let us know as soon as possible.
More information regarding the Census and the Special Circumstances Applications process can be found on SchoolsHUB. If you have any other questions, please let us know by email at Schools@dese.gov.au or call 1800 677 027 (option 3).
The 2021 Non-government Schools Census (Census) collection is now open.
Sign in now to begin entering your Census data. Make your reporting declaration from Census Day on Friday 6 August.
Visit the Census help and support page to watch our instructional videos.
The Student Attendance (STATS) Collection is due this Friday 06 August.
Sign in now to submit your 2021 STATS Semester 1 data. For more collection, visit the STATS support and help page.
The unpredictable nature of COVID-19 has resulted in lockdowns in various locations across Australia. It is likely state and territory restrictions will see some students undertake remote or flexible learning at home for a significant portion of the Census Reference Period.
The department continues to monitor the effect COVID-19 is having on local communities and schools.
Schools subject to state and territory restrictions which coincide with a significant portion of the Census Reference Period will be written to directly with instructions on how to report students in the Census.
Schools not subject to state and territory restrictions must be submit a Special Circumstances Application for students who did not attend school, at any time, during the Census Reference Period.
Inclusion of arrangements for schools affected by COVID 19 restrictions have been updated in the 2021 Census Requirements.
For more information about Remote and Flexible Learning, see our FAQs.
For information about COVID restrictions in your area, please refer to the advice from your state or territory government.