5Meanings of census day and census reference period

#### 5 Meanings of census day and census reference period (1) The census day for a non‑government school for a year is the day determined in writing by the Minister. Determining the census day (2) The Minister may determine, in writing, that a particular day in a year is the school’s census day for the year. (3) The Minister must not determine a day to be a school’s census day for a year less than 10 weeks before the day unless the Minister is satisfied that special circumstances justify determining that day. If the Minister is so satisfied, the Minister may determine any day, including a past day. Notifying census day (4) The Minister must: (a) notify the approved authority for a school of the school’s census day for a year; and (b) do so in a way that makes it reasonably likely the approved authority will become aware of the census day. > Note: Example: A census day could be published on a website that the approved authority is likely to access regularly. (5) The notification must be given at least 10 weeks before the census day. If the Minister determines a day under subsection (3) because of special circumstances, the notification must be given as soon as practicable. Meaning of census reference period (6) The census reference period for a non‑government school for a year is the period of 20 school days for the school that ends at the end of the census day for the school for the year. > Note: A public holiday is not a school day.