From 21 July 2025, principals can decide, in exceptional circumstances, to suspend students for behaviour which occurs outside of school, including online behaviour. Please note that guidance related to the Exceptional grounds – outside of school activity does not take effect until 21 July 2025.
Resources
Checklists, templates and notices
- Map of key mental health and wellbeing support
- Map of key mental health and wellbeing support
- Suspension process flowchart (staff login required)
- Suspension process checklist (staff login required)
- Exceptional grounds – outside school activity quick reference guide (staff login required) – This resource includes prompts and examples to support principals to consider whether a behaviour falls within the scope of the Exceptional grounds – outside of school activity for suspension or expulsion
- Exceptional grounds – outside school activity quick reference guide (staff login required) – accessible version
- Notice of suspension (staff login required)
- Notice of suspension (staff login required)
- Application for regional director approval of suspension more than 5 consecutive days and/or more than 15 days in total in a school year form (staff login required)
Supporting students return to school
- Return to school plan template (staff login required)
- Student absence learning plan template (staff login required)
Documents to assist schools in nominating or appointing a relevant or suitable person
- Nomination and consent of relevant person form
- Request to appoint a person from the suitable persons list form (staff login required)
Information for parents
Resources page containing supporting resources and links for this topic
Reviewed 01 July 2025