NSW Sole Parental & sharing of day to day information

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Dusted

Member
21 August 2024
1
0
1
Hi,
I have SPR in consent orders. Am I correct in understanding that I do not need to explain to OP why child/ren have a day off school? Also if child is picked up from school due to injury/illness & school has already called to advise OP, am I also required to advise OP? Do I need to advise of Drs appts for minor issues?
Thanks
 

Noel Harris

Well-Known Member
30 April 2026
60
0
196
Sole parental responsibility (SPR) under consent orders generally means you can make major long-term decisions, such as those about education, health and religion, without needing to consult or get agreement from the other parent, unlike equal shared parental responsibility. However, SPR is about decision-making authority, not day to day communication, and most orders don't spell out a general obligation to report on every day-to-day event.

Whether you're required to explain a day off school, tell the other parent about a minor illness, or update them on routine doctor's visits really comes down to the specific wording of your consent orders. Some orders include express communication clauses (for example, requiring notice of medical appointments or significant events); others are silent, in which case there's no strict legal obligation, though maintaining some basic communication is often sensible for practical co-parenting and can help avoid unnecessary conflict or future disputes. If the school has already told the other parent, that generally reduces (though doesn't necessarily eliminate) the practical need for you to separately notify them, again subject to what your order actually says. It would be worth having your specific orders reviewed to confirm exactly what they require of you. A specialist in child custody and living arrangements can review your consent orders and clarify your obligations.

Disclaimer: Please note information in this response is general in nature and should not be treated as legal advice. It may not be complete or up to date for your specific situation. Independent legal advice is always recommended.