Public Schools Lead Way On Suspension Transparency

The NSW Secondary Principals’ Council (SPC) has welcomed the release of the Department of Education’s 2025 suspensions and expulsions data, and the Deputy Premier’s strong backing of principals’ authority to act when behaviour puts learning and safety at risk. The 2025 data shows that fewer than 6% of students in NSW public schools received a suspension, that the average length of a suspension fell from 4.2 days in 2024 to 4.0 days in 2025 and that 159 students were expelled – a rate of 0.02%, or one in 5,000 students. “Suspension is a serious consequence, and students and families understand it that way,” SPC President Ann Caro said. “Behaviour that threatens the safety of others has consequences. That is not a failure of the system; it is the system working. It is also how we put support around a young person before things escalate further.” Ms Caro said the Deputy Premier was right to make, in her words, “no apologies for giving schools the authority to suspend students.” “Secondary principals asked for the authority to act decisively and this government listened. The data shows principals are using that authority exactly as intended and are acting where safety is at stake. Our principals will not ask students or staff to share a classroom with violence, and no parent would expect them to.” Ms Caro said the annual publication of this data which includes data by region, by ground for suspension, and for specific student groups, reflected a standard of transparency unmatched in Australian education. “NSW public schools publish this information every single year and open it to full public scrutiny. No other school sector in this state reports its suspension and expulsion practices this way. Families simply cannot see equivalent data for non-government schools and unlike other sectors, public schools do not choose their students. We educate every child and young person who walks through our gates regardless of postcode, ability, background or behaviour. We are proud of that, and we are proud to be judged on the evidence.” Ms Caro said the data also pointed to where support must be directed, with suspension rates highest in rural and regional NSW and among students facing the greatest challenges. “Transparency is not just about being seen, it is about seeing clearly where the need is. This data tells government exactly where additional specialist support and behaviour resources must go and we will keep advocating for that investment.” Ann Caro President, NSW Secondary Principals’ Council M: 0400 459 740 E: president