Aussie parents stunned over 'ridiculous' rule allowing schools to deny leave for children to go on holidays

Sky News AU

09-07-2025

Australian parents have voiced their shock after learning schools and can mark a child's absence as unapproved if they go on holiday during the term.
Popular influencer Sarah Stevenson, known as Sarah's Day on Instagram, told her 1.2 million followers the absence for her six-year-old kindergarten child's five-day absence for a holiday to Fiji was not "approved".
She said in filling out the extended leave form for her child she had to show proof of flights.
While at the airport and leaving to go on the trip, she learned the leave had not been approved by the principal.
'He's only missing five days of school. Anyway, day one of the trip I get an email back… it basically says Fox's leave hasn't been approved,' she says in a clip posted by Outspoken the Podcast.
'Yes, I want him to learn how to read and write and be in a classroom, but I haven't pulled him out of school for a month. Anyway, whatever. Love school.'
Followers chimed in with their thoughts on the matter, with former Married At First Sight bride Alyssa Barmonde commenting that restricting when kids can and can't go on holiday is "ridiculous".
"Travelling and being cultured is a way better life experience than missing a week of ABCs," she said.
Other parents threw their support behind taking their kids out of school for holidays.
'I'm all for taking your kids out for holidays, real-life experiences AND family time," one said.
"We have to apply for approval at our primary school, but I would still go even if it wasn't approved," another added.
Schools in Australia will often approve absences when the reason for why children cannot attend school is accepted, such as sick leave, appointments or family emergencies like funerals.
Principals can ask the parent or carer to provide a medical certificate if they are not satisifed with the explanation provided or if the child has a history of poor attendance or there are other child protection concerns.
If leave is not approved by schools, it gets put through as unjustified absences.
This is when the principal is not satisfied with the reason for the absence.
Unjustified absences generally have no consequences, but if the number of them becomes frequent, the school may choose to intervene to address the issue.
Compulsory school-aged children are required to attend school each day it is open in all states and territories in Australia.
In Victoria, if a child frequently misses school, the school attendance officer will monitor and investigate the child's attendance, and an attendance notice, official warning or a fine could be issued to the parents.
According to the NSW Department of Education, "it is essential the school has all relevant information to ensure the student's learning and health care needs are addressed through the individual health support planning process" to support the student's school attendance.