Advice
This advice assists Victorian government schools to create positive climates for learning and to support student behaviour.
Overview
Schools can find information and advice on promoting positive behaviour, prevention and early intervention strategies, a tiered response approach for student behaviour and wellbeing and professional learning opportunities in the Guidance tab.
Schools are expected to consider, explore and implement positive and non-punitive interventions to support student behaviour before considering disciplinary measures such as detention, withdrawal of privileges or withdrawal from class. Information about these consequences are set out in the Guidance tab.
Schools are responsible for ensuring a local school wide Student Engagement Policy is in place and that appropriate mental health and wellbeing supports are available for students. Refer to Student Engagement for policy requirements and guidance.
Schools can also refer to the Respectful, safe, engaged: shared expectations to support student behaviour(opens in a new window) statement. Further information about the statement and requirements for schools can be found in the Guidance tab.
Definitions
Refer to definitions in Guidance
Related policies or advice
- Child Safe Standards
- Digital Learning
- Duty of Care
- Enrolment
- Expulsions
- Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
- Mental Health in Schools
- Mobile Phones – Student Use
- Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management in Schools
- Records Management – School Records
- Restraint and Seclusion
- Sensory Rooms
- Student Engagement
- Students with Disability
- Suspensions
- Work-Related Violence in Schools
Relevant legislation
- Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)(opens in a new window)
- Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)(opens in a new window)
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992(opens in a new window) (Cth)
- Disability Standards for Education 2005(opens in a new window) (Cth)
- Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic)(opens in a new window)
- Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017 (Vic)(opens in a new window)
- Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)(opens in a new window)
- Ministerial Order 1388 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ministerial Order 1389 (PDF)(opens in a new window)
- Ministerial Order 1359 Child Safe Standards(opens in a new window)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)(opens in a new window)
Contacts
For advice about how to manage issues relating to student behaviour, contact your Student Support Services (SSS) key contact. Schools can search for their SSS key contact via the Regional maps content list (staff login required)(opens in a new window).
For information about detention and other consequences contact your regional office(opens in a new window).
For information about behaviour advice and guidance contact:
Principal Behaviour Support Advisor Unit
Phone: 03 7022 2415
Email: behaviour.support.policy@education.vic.gov.au
For information about school-wide positive behaviour support framework contact:
School-wide Positive Behaviour Support Unit
Phone: 03 7022 1383
Email: positive.behaviour@education.vic.gov.au
Updated