Refusal, non-renewal or cancellation of registration and/or accreditation
A school that is a member of a system of non-government schools may request an internal review of a Registration Committee of the Authority's recommendation or decision under the following circumstances:
- where the Registration Committee, under delegation from the Board, has decided to recommend to the Minister that the registration of a non-government school be refused, not be renewed or be cancelled
- where the Registration Committee, under delegation from the Board, has decided not to accredit a school, not to renew the accreditation of a school or to cancel a school's accreditation.
The outcome of an internal review is determined by the Board. The review process is undertaken by officers from NESA not substantially involved in making the original recommendation. The documentation considered by the review includes that submitted by the school proprietor and/or principal (or equivalent) previously and any additional documentation that the applicant wishes to have considered, the Registration Committee decision and reasons for the decision and the internal review report prepared by officers from NESA not substantially involved in making the original recommendation
If the internal review supports the Registration Committee's original recommendation and/or decision, the member school may appeal to the Tribunal against the recommendation and/or decision.
The appeal process involves the following steps:
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NESA gives the school proprietor and/or principal (or equivalent) written notice of a decision to make such a recommendation or decision
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The member school or applicant has twenty-eight (28) days in which to lodge an appeal in writing with the Tribunal.
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The Tribunal contacts the applicant or member school to arrange a date on which the appeal will be heard.
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The Tribunal considers the appeal and makes a recommendation to the Minister. The Minister considers the recommendation of the Tribunal and makes a decision as to whether the member school should be registered/accredited.
Under the Education Act, there is no appeal against the Minister’s decision.