Decisions relating to
11–20 school day suspensions, charge-related suspensions, exclusions, cancellations of enrolment and
refusals to enrol are able to be appealed. Students may submit an appeal themselves or authorise another person to do so on their behalf. As part of the appeal process, a senior departmental officer conducts a comprehensive review of all decision-making materials. It takes up to 40 school days for an appeal outcome to be determined.
There is no right of appeal for
1–10 school day suspension decisions made under the
Education (General Provisions) Act 2006. However, if a student, parent or carer believes the Department of Education’s processes were not followed when the decision was made, or has concerns about the school's actions or how the suspension was carried out, a complaint may be lodged through the department’s
customer complaints process.
There is also no right of appeal for a
suspension pending a final decision about exclusion under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006. This temporary measure allows the principal time to consider whether exclusion is an appropriate consequence. During this period, the principal may gather relevant information, and the student and parent may provide information to the principal for consideration before a final decision is made. While the suspension pending final decision about exclusion itself is not appealable, any subsequent decision to exclude the student may be appealed.
Appeal timeframes
Suspension 1–10 days | No | N/A | N/A | School case manager |
Suspension 11–20 days | Yes | Within 5 school days of being notified in writing | As soon as practicable after receiving submission (usually 40 school days) | School case manager |
Charge-related suspension | Yes | Within 5 school days of being notified in writing | As soon as practicable after receiving submission (usually 40 school days) | Regional case manager |
| Suspension pending final decision about exclusion | No | N/A | N/A | Principal |
Exclusion | Yes | Within 30 school days of being notified in writing | Within 40 school days of receiving the submission | Regional case manager |
Exclusion from certain or all schools | Yes | Within 30 school days of being notified in writing | Within 40 school days of receiving the submission | Regional case manager |
Permanent exclusion from certain or all schools | Yes | One written submission to decision maker per calendar year (until 24 years old) | Within 40 school days of receiving the submission | Regional case manager |
Cancellation of enrolment | Yes | Within 30 school days of being notified in writing | As soon as practicable after receiving submission (usually 40 school days) | Regional case manager |
Refusal to enrol | Yes | Within 30 school days of being notified in writing | As soon as practicable after receiving referral (usually 40 school days) | Regional case manager |
Submitting an appeal
The following documents provide information and guidance on making an appeal submission:
Process for reviewing your appeal decision
You can seek an external review of your appeal outcome, which considers whether the department’s management of your complaint was fair, reasonable and proper. To seek an external review, contact the
Queensland Ombudsman or the
Queensland Human Rights Commission.