YOUNG PEOPLE NO LONGER AT SCHOOL

In 2006 the period of compulsory education for all Western Australian young people was extended until the end of the year they turn 16, rising to 17 years by 2008. Previously, young people had to remain in school until the end of the year they turned 15 and this was the situation at the time of the WAACHS.

This section concentrates on Aboriginal young people aged 15 to 17 years. The vast majority of Aboriginal young people aged under 15 years were still in school. From age 15 years and older, the proportion of Aboriginal young people who no longer attended school was substantially higher, reducing their chances of academic and vocational success beyond the school years.

Based on data from Aboriginal young people aged 15 to 17 years for whom a child health questionnaire was completed by their primary carer, the following findings were made in respect of retention in school and education:

Young people living in areas of low, high and extreme relative isolation were over twice as likely to no longer be at school.

Young people who had drunk alcohol or gotten drunk in the six months prior to the survey were over twice as likely to no longer be at school.

Young people who live in households where overuse of alcohol causes problems were over twice as likely to no longer be at school.