Refusal to Enrol – Risk to
Safety or Wellbeing
Determining whether a student poses an unacceptable risk
A principal’s deliberations about whether a student poses an unacceptable risk should include consideration of whether
the student’s attendance at the school would put other members of the school community at risk of harm. Harm in this
instance is defined as any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing
of other members of the school community, by any cause other than confirmed accidental harm not involving negligence
or misconduct. Possible causes of harm include physical, psychological or emotional abuse and sexual abuse or
exploitation.
It is important to note that the harm is defined as a detrimental effect of a significant nature. Enrolment is only refused in
grave situations where there is clear evidence that the student’s enrolment poses a risk of harm of this nature, such as in
the case of:
 Convicted child sex offenders
 Children and young people who have been charged or convicted with serious violent offences
 Children and young people who have been charged or convicted with trafficking in drugs to other children
 Students who have previously been excluded from all schools in another jurisdiction because they pose
an unacceptable risk to the safety or wellbeing of members of all school communities within the
jurisdiction
To access information in relation to a student’s prior convictions, principals require the consent of the student, or where
the student is a child, their parent/carer.
Uncontrolled copy. Refer to the Department of Education, Training and Employment
Policy and Procedure Register at http://ppr.det.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the most current version of this document.
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