This report presents the findings from a rapid literature review of the barriers to school attendance and the reasons for student absence.

In 2023, the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) investigated student attendance in Australian schools at the request of Education Ministers. 

Two literature reviews were commissioned as part of this project:

  • This rapid literature review explores a range of factors that contribute to school absence, including personal, societal, educational and policy-related influences. It also provides insight into how these variables might impact school attendance for students from priority equity groups.
  • The other literature review explored interventions to promote school attendance and address student absence.

The findings of the project were published in a report submitted to Education Ministers.
 


Keywords: school refusal, student absenteeism

Research report
Publication date
Last updated
Authors
Associate Professor Glenn Melvin, Deakin University
Associate Professor Lisa McKay-Brown, University of Melbourne
Associate Professor David Heyne, Deakin University
Dr Lauren Cameron, Deakin University