Overview
It is the principal's responsibility to make the school-based decisions required to deliver Government education objectives within a framework that enables staff to have input into the decisions that affect their working lives. This is an acceptable and recognised aspect of good management practice.
The principal has ultimate administrative and operational responsibility for decisions at the school level, provided that these decisions are made consistent with the consultative provisions of clause 12 of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 (the Agreement).
The Agreement adopts the following comments, to enhance understanding of effective consultation, made by Smith C. in CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union v Vodafone Network Pty Ltd (Print PR911257).
'Consultation is not perfunctory advice on what is about to happen. This is common misconception. Consultation is providing the individual, or other relevant persons, with a bona fide opportunity to influence the decision maker… Consultation is not joint decision-making or even a negative or frustrating barrier to the prerogative of management to make decisions. Consultation allows the decision making process to be informed, particularly as it may affect the employment prospects of individuals'.
The full policy is available in the Policy and Guidelines tab.
Related policies
Relevant legislation
- Delegations
- Industrial Agreements
- Industrial Awards
- Legislation — Employment Topics
- Ministerial Orders — Employment
Contact information
Reviewed 08 September 2022