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School

You must go to school until you are 16 unless you have a reasonable excuse, like:

  • you are being given proper and regular lessons at home
  • there is no state school within five kilometres and you are learning by correspondence
  • you are very ill or unable to get to school
  • the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, for some other reason, has exempted you – for example, you have to leave school to work because your parents are very ill or suffering severe hardship.

If you want to leave school before you turn 16 you need approval from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (link below). Contact the department to find out the name of the regional director in your area.

Being suspended or expelled

Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for you. They also have rules about how they want you to behave while you are there. If you break these rules you may be suspended or expelled from school. Usually you will only be suspended or expelled if the school has already tried other ways of sorting out the problem but they haven’t worked.

See ‘School – frequently asked questions’ for more information about your rights if you are suspended or expelled.

Bullying

Bullying is something done on purpose against a person or group of people to upset or hurt them or their property.

Bullying is usually repeated behaviour done on a number of days but it can go on for weeks, months or years. A one-off serious incident may be bullying. Anyone can be a bully, like a teacher or a student.

See ‘School – frequently asked questions’ for more information about what you can do if you’re being bullied.

More information

School – frequently asked questions

Discrimination & sexual harassment

Violence & sexual assault

Related publications

Am I old enough?

Related websites

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (new window)

How VLA can help

Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) has a Youth Legal Service that provides legal information and assistance to children, young people and parents.

Call VLA’s Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

Youthlaw is a community legal centre for young people up to the age of 25. Youthlaw can help with:

  • confidential legal advice, information and casework services
  • information about your legal rights and responsibilities.

See the Youthlaw website (new window) or call them on (03) 9611 2412 or email info@youthlaw.asn.au.