Summary
Posting to a new location can present many challenges, including school enrolment. In the NT public schools generally require families to provide documents that satisfy proof of residency requirements before a student can be enrolled. Families posting outside of the usual posting cycle, such as due to the Strategic Review 2023, may arrive to gaining location during term time. If the family is in temporary housing, they are not eligible to enrol in zoned schools.
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.
Defence Kidz were instrumental with their advocacy for children of Defence families to be recognised at the time of each school enrolment. DFA and Defence Kidz continue the advocacy to encourage other states to adopt the same enrolment requirements for national consistency, and the support and acknowledgement that our families deserve.
Outcome
The submission successfully met all outcomes:
- Chief of Defence Force (CDF) can now issue a letter, via DMFS, to members needing school enrolments whilst having no fixed address.
- State and Territory Education Department to added the CDF letter into their policies as a way for the school to progress enrolment where housing has not been secured yet.