The research, commissioned by health fund provider HCF, paints a concerning picture of the prevalence and underlying factors contributing to school refusal behaviours.
Nearly three in ten parents (28 per cent) said their child has been late to school due to mental health challenges, with nearly a fifth (19 per cent) reporting weekly occurrences.
Around a quarter of parents (26 per cent) reported their child’s absence from school for part of the day due to mental health challenges, including one in six (17 per cent) reporting weekly absences.
Nearly three in ten parents (28 per cent) reported their child’s full-day absence from school due to mental health challenges, with nearly one in five (18 per cent) experiencing this weekly.
Clinical psychologist Rebecca Short says the emotional distress experienced by children when they are struggling to attend school can stem from many factors, including challenges related to neurodiversity and mental health disorders, as well as from difficulties at home, with their health and many other areas.
More than half (53 per cent) of parents surveyed reported that their primary schooler had displayed mental health challenges in the past 12 months.
Approximately one in three parents (37 per cent) stated that their child had been formally diagnosed with a mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and anxiety being among the most common diagnoses.
“It’s critical to recognise that children are not just staying home because they don’t like school – and that there is significant distress for both parents and children struggling with school attendance,” Short says.
“Families often need intensive and appropriate support to ensure the wellbeing of both the child and their family.”
The study also highlighted gaps in accessing mental health support, with more than a third (35 per cent) of parents admitting to not seeking any form of assistance for their child.
“Navigating mental health challenges can feel overwhelming,” head of health & wellbeing at HCF, Linda Opie, says.
She says the availability of professionally led and science-backed digital mental health services, such as online cognitive behavioural therapy, continues to grow.
“These health programs can be used independently or in combination with in-person support to assist families in need,” Opie says.
“This Way Up, a not-for-profit initiative developed by experienced psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, also offers a range of evidence-based online health programs and practical resources.
“The programs help you understand and develop coping strategies to manage mental challenges like stress, insomnia, worry, anxiety, and depression,” she says.
Beyond the bell: Uncovering the hidden struggles of primary school refusal among Australian families was conducted online from February 23-27, 2024, by YouGov in collaboration with HCF, comprising a nationally representative sample of 523 Australian parents with at least one primary school-aged child at home.
Data was weighted by age, gender, and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates.
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
QLife on 1800 184 527
