Mature Age Students
Scope
All departmental staff.
Purpose
To outline the responsibilities of the Department, regional offices, schools and Mature Age Student applicants.
Authority
Related Policy Instruments
Overview
Education Queensland screens persons who are seeking to enrol as Mature Age Students in a state school, based on their criminal history.
Prior to enrolment, applicants apply for a Mature Age Student Notice 
209k. The Mature Age Student application process includes a criminal history check by the Queensland Police Service, which can take up to eight weeks or longer. Only Mature Age Student applicants whose enrolment would not harm the best interests of children are allowed to enrol in state schools.
A person is not required to apply for a Mature Age Student Notice where the person:
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turns 18 years of age whilst they are still at school
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was previously enrolled in a state school or non-state school (and on the day of enrolment was under 18 years of age), and the period between their last day of attendance at their previous school and the proposed first day of attendance at the mature age state school is not more than 12 months (may need to be verified with previous school/s)
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holds a student visa (certified copy of visa is required)
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wishes to enrol at a school of distance education or a special school.
An applicant cannot apply for another Mature Age Student notice for a period of 12 months from the time a Negative Notice has been issued.
Responsibilities
Mature Age Students:
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approach the school Principal to discuss possible enrolment
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inform Principal or Education Queensland of any change of address
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inform Principal or Education Queensland of withdrawal of application any time before Mature Age Student notice application is decided
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Disclosure regarding any change to criminal history should occur when:
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an application for a Mature Age Student Notice has been submitted and not withdrawn
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an applicant has a current Positive Notice, but is not yet enrolled
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a person is a Mature Age Student (even if they did not require Mature Age Student notice prior to enrolment) and was 18 years or more on day of enrolment at school.
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complete
Disclosure of Criminal History form 197k to notify Education Queensland of any criminal history changes whilst enrolled at a mature age state school (penalties apply for Mature Age Students not disclosing change in criminal history)
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Principals:
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provide Mature Age Student applicant with following:
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discuss study options and career goals with applicant
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inform applicant that a criminal history check will be required if they wish to enrol at the school and that this can take up to eight weeks or longer to complete
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decide if the school has capacity (subject to any enrolment management plan) and subject area availability
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if received, review request by applicant for Consideration to Waive Application Fee for Mature Age Student Notice and make a decision on whether to approve or decline request. If deciding not to approve payment from school funds, refer request to Education Queensland for decision on payment of application fee. Applications are not processed until decision on application fee payment is finalised.
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determine whether the applicant has been previously permanently excluded from the school they are applying to be enrolled in or permanently excluded from certain state schools (any relevant exclusion would need to have been revoked in response to an anniversary submission against the exclusion before enrolment can be considered
SMS-PR-021: Safe, Supportive and Disciplined School Environment -
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ensure applicant provides appropriate identifying information and photocopies made
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inform applicant of their responsibility to disclose any change in criminal history to Education Queensland
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enrol applicants only when they possess current
Positive Mature Age Student Notice for enrolment at a state school or when they are exempt from applying for Mature Age Student Notice
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Regional Directors:
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following recommendation from Education Queensland, consider all Mature Age Student notice applications where applicant has a criminal history, determining if the applicant s attendance at a school poses an unacceptable risk to the safety and wellbeing of students and staff, with regard to the following:
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whether the offence resulted in a conviction or charge
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whether the offence is a serious offence
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when the offence was committed or alleged to have been committed
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the nature of offence and its relevance to person being Mature Age Student of a school
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anything else the Regional Director reasonably considers to be relevant to assessment of the person.
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issue Positive, Considering Negative or Negative Mature Age Student Notices, where applicant has a criminal history
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notify Principal in writing regarding Positive, Considering Negative or Negative Mature Age Student Notices being issued without providing information about applicant's criminal history or reasons
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advise applicant issued with a Considering Negative Notice of their right to present an oral or written submission to the Regional Director regarding their suitability to be a Mature Age Student. Submissions must be received within 14 days of issue of the Considering Negative Notice
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advise applicant issued with a Negative Notice of their right to make a written application to the Director-General seeking review of the decision. Applications must be received within 40 days after the Negative Notice is given
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provide sufficient information to applicants regarding how the person can apply for a review of a Considering Negative or Negative Notice
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advise applicant issued with Negative Notice of alternative further education options.
Director-General:
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when an application for review is made, review the Negative Notice decision based on the following:
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material that led to original decision
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reasons for original decision
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other relevant material the reviewer allows.
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consider applicant's submission against Negative Notice and decide to:
Process
Mature Age Student Processes 
60k
Online Resources
Forms
Online Materials
Contact
For further information, please contact:
Mature Age Student Processing Officer
Government Liaison and Projects
Phone: (07) 3237 1053
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