COVID-19 — School Operations

Overview

Department policy, guidance and advice on school operations during COVID-19 is set out in the COVID-19 advice for Victorian government schools:

• COVID-19 advice for Victorian government schools (DOCX, 3.08MB)

A range of other resources on school management of COVID-19 are linked from the Resources tab for this topic.

Related topics

• COVID-19 — Human Resources
• COVID-19 — Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforces
• OHS Management System Overview — COVID-19 employee health, safety and wellbeing supports for schools (including COVID Safe Plan)

COVID-19 contacts for government schools

Department’s COVID-19 hotline

Call our dedicated COVID-19 phone advice line Monday to Friday (8:30 am to 5:00 pm) on 1800 338 663. The hotline will address or appropriately refer calls on all matters.

Cleaning

For further assistance with cleaning advice, email cleaning@education.vic.gov.au

Finance

For the School Financial Management Support Unit, phone 03 7022 2222 or email schools.finance.support@education.vic.gov.au

Health and safety (staff)

For further assistance with staff health and safety advice, phone 1300 074 715 or email safety@education.vic.gov.au

Human resources

For further information about human resources (including leave) and COVID-19 staff vaccination, phone 1800 641 943.

Principals and business managers may seek advice from Schools People Services at internal.people.services@education.vic.gov.au in circumstances where evidence to support infectious diseases leave is not available.

Media unit

For support with media matters, phone 03 8688 7776.

Outside School Hours Care and other early childhood

Call the department’s COVID-19 hotline during business hours on 1800 338 663.

Procurement

For questions about the delivery or supply of rapid antigen tests or facemasks for your school, contact schools.procurement@education.vic.gov.au

Regional contacts

Principals should contact their senior education improvement leader (SEIL) to discuss any queries.

Service Now (IT support)

For IT support with the Schools COVID-19 Case Management Tool (including gaining access to the system) submit a service request or phone 1800 641 943.

Student transport

For further student transport advice, email student.transport@education.vic.gov.au or phone 03 7022 2247.

Ventilation and air purification

For further assistance with ventilation and air purification advice, contact the Victorian School Building Authority on 1800 896 950 or email airpurifiers@education.vic.gov.au

Guidance

There is no further guidance for this topic. For more information, refer to Resources tab.

Resources

COVID-19 advice for Victorian government schools

The COVID-19 advice for Victorian government schools sets out the requirements for school operations during COVID-19. It can be accessed from:

COVID-19 advice for Victorian government schools (DOCX, 3.08MB)

The Victorian Government COVID-19 website has information for schools and school staff which is regularly updated:

COVID-19 advice for schools

Health advice for schools

Information on health and safety measures in schools including face masks, infection prevention and control eLearning module, school bus services, outside school hour care services and pre-teacher placements:

Health and safety advice

COVIDSafe Plan and other employee health, safety and wellbeing supports for schools

The Policy and Advisory Library (PAL) OHS Management System includes the COVIDSafe Plan for Victorian government schools:

COVID-19 employee health, safety and wellbeing supports for schools (including the COVIDSafe Plan)

COVID-19 Infection Prevention training in schools

All staff working onsite in schools are required to complete the eLearn module School infection prevention and control during COVID-19 (staff login required). This module provides COVID-19 infection control training specifically designed for Victorian government schools.

Staff in non-government schools, early childhood settings, casual relief teachers and preservice teachers can access the eLearn module on FUSE.

School communications to community

The department has developed resources to assist schools to communicate COVID-19 related information to their communities, including:

• posters communicating COVID-19 restrictions, face mask requirements, OHS staff noticeboard and school closures
• social media and website images and videos to inform your school communities of the current restriction levels
• a template on-site attendance form to use for parents/carers who require on-site learning for their child
• information and communication resources relating to school closures and reopening
• template letters (including in different languages).

Refer to: Communications Support Pack (staff login required)

Information for parents on the Victorian government COVID-19 website

The department's website contains information specifically written for a parent audience:

COVID-19 advice for parents, carers and guardians

Department of Education and Training COVID-19 phone line

A dedicated COVID-19 advice phone line is available for principals, teachers and school staff to ask questions or provide feedback on department services.

Phone: 1800 338 663
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Department of Health COVID-19 phone line

A dedicated COVID-19 advice phone line is available for the general public:

Phone: 1800 675 398
Hours: 24 hours / 7 days a week