This dataset provides information on suspensions and expulsions in NSW government schools.

Data Notes:

• A revised ‘Student behaviour policy’ for NSW public schools, was implemented in Term 1 2024. This resulted in the introduction of new behaviour grounds that are not directly comparable with those used under previous policies. Comparisons with previous suspension data are therefore discouraged, and where such comparisons are made, the policy changes should be taken into consideration.

• The previous ‘Student behaviour policy’ was in effect from Term 4 2022, until the end of 2023. This resulted in a change from suspension types and reasons to suspension grounds and descriptors. Consequently, the 2022 full year fact sheet can only provide data on suspensions in Terms 1 to 3 in 2022.

• From 2024, the Department will only publish a full-year fact sheet. For earlier years, please note that Semester 1 and full year data are not comparable, as students suspended in both semesters are counted only once in the full-year figures.

• In 2024, the Department introduced a new methodology to calculate suspension rates. When comparing data across years, it is important to consider the different calculation in previous years.

• Data in 2020 and 2021 are not comparable to previous years due to the impact of Covid 19.

• ABS Statistical Area 4 (SA4) boundaries in NSW are combined into 11 groups for reporting of suspensions data from 2019. From 2013 to 2018, data was published by Family and Community Services districts.

• To protect individual students’ identities, values under 10 are suppressed.

• The definition for students who were suspended and identified as receiving adjustments due to disability has been broadened from 2021 onwards. This means suspensions issued to students identified as receiving an adjustment due to disability are included if they are eligible for inclusion in the NCCD, including: a) students who are not reported to the Australian Government, and b) students who were identified as receiving adjustments due to disability at one school but were suspended at a different school. Fact sheets published prior to 2021 used the tightened definition of students who were suspended and identified as receiving adjustments due to disability, and therefore, figures in the fact sheets from 2021 onwards are not comparable with fact sheets published prior to 2021.

• Data for students identified as receiving adjustments due to disability is included for extensive, substantial, and supplementary.

Data Source:

• Learning and Wellbeing, NSW Department of Education.