School Enrolment as a Grandparent Carer in WA Without a Parenting Order

You've got a grandchild living with you full-time, no court orders, and the school term is approaching. The good news: Western Australian public schools can enrol a child in your care even without a formal parenting order. The process relies on principal discretion and the right documents.

The Legal Framework

Under the School Education Act 1999 (WA) and the Department of Education's Enrolment in Public Schools Policy, school principals must ensure every child of compulsory school age is enrolled. The child's right to education takes priority — which means a principal can accept your enrolment using informal carer documentation.

What You'll Need

Bring these to the school office:

For the child:

• Birth certificate (or passport, or Australian citizenship documents)
• Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) History Statement dated within the last 2 months (required for kindergarten; strongly recommended for all ages)
• If immunisation records aren't available, a GP can sign an AIR catch-up plan

For you as the carer:

• Informal Carer Statutory Declaration — the Department of Education provides this form, or the school may have copies. It states that the child lives with you full-time and authorises you to make day-to-day educational decisions
• Proof of residence in the school catchment — utility bill, lease, or rates notice in your name. If you don't have these, a statutory declaration confirming your address works

If you have a Centrelink letter showing you receive Family Tax Benefit for the child, bring that too — it's strong evidence of primary care.

What the Principal Can and Can't Do

The principal has statutory discretion to enrol the child based on your informal care evidence. Once enrolled, you can:

• Receive school reports
• Sign routine excursion permission slips
• Be listed as emergency contact
• Authorise emergency medical care at school

What you can't do without a court order: override an existing Family Court parenting order that restricts access. If there's a live court order naming specific people, give the school a certified copy so they know the restrictions.

Non-Government Schools

Catholic and independent schools operate under separate enrolment contracts. They may require additional documentation — an explicit statutory declaration, a legal indemnity, or even a letter from a solicitor. Check directly with the school's enrolment office before assuming the public school process applies.

Immunisation Requirements

For kindergarten enrolment, an up-to-date AIR statement is mandatory under the Public Health Act 2016 (WA). If the child's immunisation records are with the biological parents and you can't access them, your GP can check the Australian Immunisation Register directly and issue a new statement. If the child isn't fully vaccinated, the GP can put them on a catch-up schedule, which satisfies the enrolment requirement.

Getting the Medicare Card Sorted

If you want to copy or transfer the child to another Medicare card, use Services Australia Form MS011 and follow its signature and proof-of-care requirements. A child does not need to be on your card for you to claim Medicare benefits if you have the child's Medicare number and an account or receipt naming the child as the patient. Bulk billing depends on the health professional choosing to bulk bill.

For the full school enrolment checklist alongside every WA payment and support service, the WA Kinship Carer Support Guide puts it all in one place.

See more Western Australia guides →