This report discusses the findings of an investigation into student attendance in Australian schools for Education Ministers.

This report presents the findings of 3 activities:

• analysis of attendance data
• rapid literature review on barriers to attendance
• rapid literature review on approaches to supporting attendance and addressing student absence.

Key findings

• Attendance declined in the years leading up to COVID-19 (2016 to 2019). Attendance in 2023 nationally improved from 2022 but was still below the levels prior to COVID-19.
• From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, school attendance for priority equity groups decreased more than for the overall student population.
• The reasons for student absence from school are complex, interrelated and often specific to the student, family, school and community involved.
• There are a wide range of approaches that have evidence of supporting attendance and addressing absence. However, few studies have been undertaken in Australia, meaning that the relevance of the evidence base to Australian schools may be limited by contextual differences.
• First Nations research suggests that to achieve educational success for First Nations students in Australia, the educational aspirations and academic needs of First Nations students must be the focus.