6 October 2025
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering on its year of action, certainty and security, with new measures to hold parents accountable for ensuring their children attend school.
From Term 4, parents who consistently fail to send their children to school will be referred for income management, making sure taxpayer funded support is used in the best interests of children.
Minister for Education and Training, Jo Hersey, said the announcement is part of the CLP's broader strategy to reduce crime and strengthen community safety by keeping young people on the right path.
"Every child deserves an education, and every parent has a responsibility to get their child to school," Mrs Hersey said.
"Labor failed children and families by letting school attendance collapse, hiding kids on secret lists, and cooking the books instead of fixing the problem.
"We know that children who regularly miss school are more likely to disengage, fall into antisocial behaviour and ultimately into crime. This is about helping families meet their obligations and supporting young people to build a better future.
"If parents don't want to be income managed, the message is simple: get your kids to school."
Since coming to Government, the CLP has already returned 328 students to classrooms through the School Attendance Officer program. This new measure strengthens that work, targeting chronic non-attendance and ensuring parents are accountable for their children's welfare.
The Department of Education and Training's School Attendance team will lead this effort, with an immediate focus on parents and caregivers of students on the Intensive Support Roll. Officers have already carried out 6,000 successful compliance visits, resulting in 328 more children back in school where they belong.
Minister Hersey said these reforms form a key part of the Government's Reducing Crime Strategy here, which recognises that strong families and consistent school attendance are vital to community safety.
"Keeping children in school not only improves their chances of success, but it keeps them away from crime and gives them the skills to contribute positively to society. Stronger families mean safer community," Mrs Hersey said.
