Education Act 2015

(1) A child becomes of compulsory school age on 1 January of the year in which, as at 30 June, the child is 6 years of age.

Examples for subsection (1)

A child born on 29 June 2012 becomes of compulsory school age on 1 January 2018.

A child born on 1 July 2012 becomes of compulsory school age on 1 January 2019.

(2) A child ceases to be of compulsory school age when the first of the following occurs:

(a) the child completes year 10 of secondary education and participates on a full-time basis in one of the following options (an eligible option):

(ii) if the child is of or above the age of 15 years – paid employment or a combination of approved education or training and paid employment;

(b) the child completes year 10 of secondary education and is exempt from participating in an eligible option;

(3) For subsection (2)(a), a child does not cease to participate in an eligible option merely because, over a 12 month period, the child ceases to participate in the option:

(4) For subsection (2)(a) or (b), a child completes year 10 of secondary education if the child:

(a) completes year 10 of secondary education in the Territory or the equivalent in a State or another Territory; or

(b) completes education approved by the CEO for the child in circumstances that the CEO considers to be special circumstances; or

(c) satisfies the requirements of any regulations made under subsection (9)(a).

(5) For subsection (2)(a), approved education or training is one of the following:

(a) year 11 or 12 of secondary education in the Territory or the equivalent in a State or another Territory;

(b) an education program or course of study or instruction provided by Charles Darwin University or the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education;

(c) a higher education course accredited under the Higher Education Act 2004;

(d) a VET accredited course, training package qualification, approved apprenticeship or approved traineeship under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016;

(e) other education or training approved by the CEO under subsection (6);

(f) other education or training at an institution in a State or another Territory that, if provided in the Territory, would comply with the requirements of this Part.

(6) For subsection (5)(e), the CEO may, by Gazette notice, approve a form of education or training.

(7) The CEO may exempt a child from participating in an eligible option for a specified period if satisfied it is appropriate to do so because of special circumstances.

Example for subsection (7)

The child is seriously ill.

(8) The exemption must be by written notice given to a parent of the child or, if the child is living independently, the child.

(10) Subject to the Regulations, for subsection (2)(a)(ii), participation on a full-time basis in paid employment is participation for an average of not less than 25 hours a week.