The Finocchiaro CLP Government has reaffirmed its commitment to lifting school attendance across the Northern Territory, with students returning to classrooms for Term 3 this week.
With Term 2 school attendance data for 2025 now released, Education and Training Minister Jo Hersey has highlighted the important role School Attendance Officers are playing in supporting parents to meet their legal responsibility to get their children to school every day.
The Territory-wide average attendance in government schools for Term 2 was 72.6%, down slightly, by 0.5 percentage points, compared to Term 2, 2024.
Minister Hersey said targeted support from School Attendance Officers has been key to turning around attendance in some of the Territory's most challenged regions.
"School Attendance Officers working directly with families and communities are making a real difference," she said.
"At Timber Creek School, where Attendance Officers have been on the ground supporting parents and engaging with students, attendance has jumped from just 36.2% in Term 2 last year to nearly 68% this year."
"Similarly, Alpurrurulam School in the Barkly region has seen enrolments surge from 33 students in Term 2, 2024 to 77 students this term, another sign that our approach is working.
"As we prepared for Term 3, our Attendance Officers were continuing their outreach, meeting with families to make sure students are ready to return to school."
In the lead-up to Term 3, School Attendance Officers have been out and about across the Territory, visiting shopping centres, attending community events and working one-on-one with disengaged children to ensure they are ready to head back to the classroom this week.
Minister Hersey said the focus on improving attendance is a central part of the Government's year of action, certainty and security.
"To build on this momentum, we are expanding the School Attendance Officer program to reach more communities across the Territory," she said.
The 2025-26 Budget commits $12.9 million to boost school attendance, an increase of $4 million on last year's funding.
This includes more resources for Attendance Officers, additional school counsellors, and targeted literacy and numeracy programs to get back to basics and keep students engaged in learning.
"Every child deserves the best start in life, and that starts with being in the classroom," Minister Hersey said.
"In this year of action, certainty and security, we are backing parents, schools and communities to make that happen."
