School refusal in Australia; what it is and why it’s rising

School can be a happy place for many children, but for some, going to school can feel really hard. When a child feels deeply anxious, scared or overwhelmed about attending school, and this keeps them from going regularly, it’s often called school refusal. This is not about kids being naughty or trying to avoid school on purpose — it’s about real emotional struggles that need understanding and support.

School refusal affects thousands of Australian families, and knowing more about it can help parents, teachers, and communities come together to support these young people in a caring way.

What is school refusal

School refusal is a deeply emotional challenge for many children and young people, involving real distress about going to school despite parents’ wishes for them to attend. According to a Parliamentary Research paper by Dr Shannon Clark on school refusal is not about simply skipping school or misbehaving; it’s often about anxiety, fear, or overwhelming feelings that make the school environment feel unsafe or unmanageable.

School refusal can feature:

• Reluctance or refusal to go to school, often missing a lot of days.
• Strong emotional distress, which can show up in different ways like fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, determined refusal, physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches, and trouble sleeping.
• Staying home with their parents’ or carers’ knowledge and support.
• Parents try to encourage their child to attend school.
• behaviour isn’t linked to serious antisocial behaviour or delinquency (unlike truancy).

It’s important to remember these young people need kindness, patience, and support as they work through these struggles.

Why school refusal happens

School refusal doesn’t have a single cause; it’s often the result of many things coming together. According to Dr Clark, young people may feel anxious about social situations, scared of bullying, overwhelmed by academic pressure, or affected by family stresses like illness or separation.

Some common factors of school refusal include:

• Stressful life events
• Big changes like starting primary or secondary school
• Moving to a new home or other major changes
• Worrying about a parent’s safety or health
• Illness in the family
• Parents separating or divorcing
• Problems at school with learning or grades
• Overprotective parenting
• Struggles making or keeping friends
• Feeling anxious about being apart from family (separation anxiety)

When schools don’t effectively address bullying or support children’s emotional needs, it can deepen their reluctance to attend. Understanding this complexity helps us avoid blame and focus on creating safe, inclusive environments where young people feel valued and supported.

Impact on young people and families

The effects of school refusal go beyond missed classes. It can hinder a young person’s learning, growth, and mental health. It also puts pressure on families who often feel worried, confused, or helpless. According to Dr Clark, teachers and school staff can also experience stress navigating these challenges in the classroom. Without help, children may fall further behind, feel more isolated, and risk leaving school early, which affects their future chances at work and life.

How we can all help

Effective support starts early. Identifying when a young person is struggling and responding with care can prevent school refusal from becoming a long-term problem. Schools and families working together can tailor approaches that suit each child’s needs. Punishing children with fines or suspensions doesn’t work, according to Dr Clark, instead, they need understanding, access to psychological support, and sometimes flexible learning options. Families play a crucial role by providing warmth, setting clear but compassionate boundaries, and partnering with schools to support their child’s return to learning.

Looking forward with hope

Though school refusal is complex, we can meet the challenge with empathy and action. By raising awareness, investing in early intervention, and building school communities where every child feels safe and included, we can help young people regain confidence and joy in learning. If your family is facing school refusal, know that support is available from schools, health professionals, and community groups. Together, we can create educational spaces where no child feels left behind.

YOU CAN SIT WITH ME is an inclusive, evidence-based, peer-led program reducing school refusal, social isolation, bullying, exclusion and non inclusive behaviour.

YOU CAN SIT WITH ME provides free programs for schools, sporting clubs and community groups. 

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