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Insight Horizon Media

Can I leave school at 16 in NSW?

Author

Michael Henderson

Published Mar 19, 2026

Can I leave school at 16 in NSW?

At what age can my child leave school? In New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, the school leaving age is 17. This means that young people under the age of 17 are legally required to be in full-time education, training or employment.

Can you leave school at 15 in NSW?

The NSW Government passed laws to raise the school leaving age from 15 to 17 years of age, effective from 1 January 2010. However they must now remain at school until they turn 17 years of age.

When can you dropout of school NSW?

17
In New South Wales, you have to go to school from when you turn 6 until you finish Year 10 or turn 17. If you have finished Year 10 but you haven’t turned 17 yet, then you need to do one of the following things: do some other form of education or training (like TAFE or an apprenticeship);

Can you dropout of school at 16 in Australia?

If you don’t go to school when you’re required to (between the age of 6 and 16, or until do approved education or training until you’re 17), your parents can get in trouble and even be fined. If you have a good reason for not attending school (for example, a medical condition), then your parents won’t get in trouble.

Can I dropout of school at 16?

In the United States, most states allow for the ability to drop out without parental consent at the age of 16. Those states which have raised their minimum dropout ages above 16 usually provide for exceptions of parental consent at ages 16 and 17.

Is it illegal to leave school at 16?

In short, although it is against the law to quit education before you turn 18, there are really no legal consequences for breaking this rule.

Can I dropout of school at 15?

If all of the below 5 conditions are met, your child may be able to drop out of school before age 17: Passed 9th grade or is 15 years old. Your permission to leave school. A written agreement that you and a school staff person will meet every year until your child turns 17 to review your child’s educational needs.

Can you leave school 18?

Requirements for Dropping Out Legally California students may drop out legally once they turn 18. Students who are 16 or 17 may also leave school, but only if they: pass the California High School Proficiency Exam, which leads to a certificate that’s equivalent to a diploma (more on that below).

Can I drop out at 17?

Exemptions (schools) The following requirements apply to all NSW schools: Young people who have completed Year 10, but are younger than 17, may leave school if they are engaged in full time study, employment or a combination of the two (including an apprenticeship or traineeship).

Can you dropout of school at 15 in Australia?

If all of the below 5 conditions are met, your child may be able to drop out of school before age 17: Passed 9th grade or is 15 years old. Your permission to leave school. Approval from the principal for a “suitable” work or study program.

Can you leave school at 16 in Wales?

Wales. You can leave school on the last Friday in June, as long as you’ll be 16 by the end of that school year’s summer holidays.

What is the legal age to leave school in NSW?

The NSW Government passed laws to raise the school leaving age from 15 to 17 years of age, effective from 1 January 2010. This means that all students in the State must complete Year 10 of secondary schooling or turn 17 years of age, whichever comes first.

When did the school leaving age change in New South Wales?

While most other States had raised the school leaving age to 17 years of age by 2009, in New South Wales it remained at 15 until 2010. The NSW Government passed laws to raise the school leaving age from 15 to 17 years of age, effective from 1 January 2010.

How long do you have to stay in school in Australia?

For example, in Queensland you must stay at school until you turn 16 or finish Year 10 (whichever is first). In Western Australia you can apply for an exemption, but it will only be considered for students in Year 10 or above who will be at least 15.5 years old that year.

Do you have to go to school at 18 in Tasmania?

In Tasmania, you have to go to school or do another approved education or training course until you complete year 12, turn 18, or obtain a Certificate III (whichever happens first). You can also be educated at home until you turn 18. You have to stay at school until you finish Year 10.