16Attendance at school of school-aged child

16 Attendance at school of school-aged child

(1)  Unless exempted or excused under this Division, a parent of a school-aged child must ensure that the child –

(a) attends school each school day; or

(b) receives home education; or

(c) participates in an individual education program.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 15 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(2)  If a court finds a parent guilty of an offence under subsection (1) , the court, instead of or in addition to imposing a fine, may make a community service order within the meaning of the Sentencing Act 1997 .

(3)  A school-aged child is to attend a school during the whole of a school day unless the child –

(a) is being provided with home education; or

(b) is participating in an individual education program; or

(c) is exempted or excused from attendance under this Division.

(4)  A principal must ensure that a register is kept recording the daily attendance or absence of each school-aged child.

(5)  For the purposes of this section, a school-aged child may attend a school by using a form of electronic communication, within the meaning of the Electronic Transactions Act 2000 , if –

(a) the principal of a school has approved attendance at the school by that form of electronic communication; and

(b) the principal has approved the attendance of the child at the school by using that form of electronic communication.