Expulsion rate at Victorian state schools reach five-year high, with one student expelled per day

Education experts have explained why there has been a rise in Victorian government schools using expulsions, also known as exclusions. See which age group is most likely to be kicked out.

There were more than 260 expulsions in 2023 at Victorian government schools.

Student expulsions across Victoria’s government primary and secondary schools have reached a five-year high, with at least one pupil being kicked out each day, concerning new figures have revealed.

In all, 266 students across all year levels were expelled in 2023, with the majority in secondary school, according to the Department of Education’s annual expulsion report.

The cohort to record the most expulsions was year 9, with 70 pupils excluded from their school, while 8 per cent of the total number of students expelled that year were in primary school.

It comes after the Herald Sun revealed last month that almost 90 students were being suspended from school a day due to a rise in violent schoolyard attacks and other unruly behaviour.

Australian Catholic University inclusive education lecturer and researcher Dr Matthew White said expulsions – also known as exclusions – were generally the result of schools not having the capacity to meet students’ needs.

“Some schools are fantastic and have a really high capacity for their students but unfortunately, many schools just don’t have that capacity to include students, especially those with behaviour difficulties or challenging behaviour,” he said.

The cohort that recorded the most expulsions was year 9, with 70 pupils excluded from their school.

Dr White said most expulsions were either the result of a critical incident, such as assault or criminal damage, or a last resort following multiple attempts to resolve the behaviour.

Male students were twice as likely to be expelled than females. Additionally, almost a third of students expelled in 2023 had a disability and were receiving “substantial” or “extensive” levels of adjustment to support their schooling.

Meanwhile, 20 kids were in out-of-home care, 41 came from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and 23 were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

As for post-expulsion outcomes, the majority of students expelled were enrolled into another school, while 18 went to another registered training organisation, three engaged in employment and two relocated out of Victoria.

Meanwhile, as of August last year, regional staff were working to secure an enrolment for 13 students not yet placed in a new education setting.

Dr White said expulsions were often a traumatic experience for students and their families, particularly when that pupil was moved to a different school.

“The new school might have more capacity and be more supportive of the student but again, unfortunately in a lot of cases it’s not,” he said. “(Some of these students are) passed around until they exit the system which is really sad, so I think the chance of the behaviour continuing is really high unless there’s a real understanding … of what influences that young person and what perpetuates that behaviour.”

A Department of Education spokesman said expulsions were always a last resort.

“However there are instances when principals may consider it necessary to protect the safety of their school community,” he said.

“Any student expelled from a Victorian government school is provided with transition support to find a suitable alternative educational setting as soon as possible.”

Originally published as Expulsion rate at Victorian state schools reach five-year high, with one student expelled per day