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.
Have you completed your 2021 Student Background Data (SBD) collection with ACARA? It is closing on 16 July 2021. All schools must submit this 2021 SBD data (to ACARA) to receive their Socio-Economic Disadvantage (SED) and Low English Proficiency (LEP) recurrent funding loading amounts.
For further information about the SBD collection, please visit ACARA's SBD collection website. Should you have any questions on the data collection process, please email ACARA at independentsbd@acara.edu.au.
The Student Attendance (STATS) Collection is now open. Declare your data by Friday 06 August.
Sign in now to begin, or for more information visit the STATS support and help page.
Important update about the Non-Government Schools Census and COVID-19
The unpredictable nature of COVID-19 is exemplified by the recent influx of cases across the country and the lockdowns now in place in a number of locations. If extended, these state and territory restrictions may require students to undertake remote or flexible learning once school recommences.
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment is closely monitoring the effect COVID-19 is having on local communities and schools. If states and territories implement remote or flexible learning and these restrictions coincide with a significant portion of the Census Reference Period, we will write to notify you of alternative arrangements for reporting students who are undertaking flexible or remote learning.
Where schools are not subject to state and territory restrictions and have not been notified of alternative arrangements, you may submit a Special Circumstances Application for students who did not attend during the Census Reference Period.
For more information about Remote and Flexiable Learning, see our FAQs
For information about COVID restrictions in your area, please refer to the advice from your state or territory government.
The SchoolsHUB helpdesk is closed on Monday 31 May due to the public holiday. The helpdesk will reopen Tuesday 1 June to assist with your enquiry or alternatively, email us via the contact page.