Summary
Posting to a new location can present many challenges, including school enrolment. In the ACT and NSW, public schools generally require families to provide documents, to the sum of 100 points, that satisfy proof of residency requirements before a student can be enrolled. For military families, posting orders are often issued several months before relocation, but confirmation of housing arrangements may not occur until much closer to the move date. As a result, families may be unable to complete enrolment processes in their new location before arriving, often just prior to the start of the school year. This can create additional stress for families and students during an already challenging transition period, including reduced access to preferred subject selections and school planning opportunities. It can also make it more difficult for schools to accurately forecast enrolment numbers and resource requirements for the following year.
Outcome
The submission exceeded expected outcomes through the inclusion of children of ADF members in the cohorts eligible for a waiver of standard address verification requirements.
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Children of ADF members posting to the ACT can have the 100-point address check for enrolment waived subject to evidence of service allocated housing or posting location.
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Children of ADF members posting to NSW can have the 100-point address check for enrolment waived without the need for evidence of service allocated housing or posting location.
NSW implemented this change and went further than requested by removing the need for evidence of a posting, significantly reducing administrative barriers and enabling earlier access to school enrolment for ADF families.