4.3 Inspection of a School

Þ  Overview

Þ  Cancellation of Registration

Þ  Appeals

Overview

The Schools Registration Board may arrange for the inspection of any non-government school.

Sections 56–58 of the Education Act 1994 provide the authority for the Schools Registration Board to inspect a school to ensure that it is complying with the standards for registration.

An inspection may be conducted either before or after a review of a school has been carried out, or at any time and for any purpose.

The Schools Registration Board will issue a Certificate of Authority to a person or persons instructed to inspect a registered school.

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4.3.1 Cancellation of Registration

The registration of a school may be cancelled if it is found that

1. the school or the governing body of the school is not complying with any condition determined by the Minister in relation to the standards for registration; or

2. that it is in the best interests of the students at that school to close the school and cancel the school’s registration.

A decision to cancel a school’s registration is one that will result in serious ramifications including the loss of both Commonwealth and State Government funding. It follows that the process for such decision making would be based on the principles of natural justice, incorporating the issuing of a formal warning, an opportunity to meet the standards within a specified time, and a subsequent “show cause” process.

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4.3.2 Appeals

A person or body may appeal to a magistrate against a decision taken by the Schools Registration Board to:

1. refuse to grant an application for registration as a school; or
2. refuse to renew the registration of a school; or
3. cancel the registration of a school.

An appeal is to be made within 21 days after the refusal to grant an application or the cancellation of registration.

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