education.vic.gov.au

Overview

Under the State Emergency Response Plan voluntary emergency relief organisations may be called upon by the government or an authority under the Emergency Management Act 1986External Link to assist in firefighting or any other emergency operations.

Employees who are members of a voluntary emergency relief organisation that is called upon by the government or an authority under the State Emergency Response Plan to assist in firefighting or any other emergency operations, will be released and regarded as being on duty provided that:

  • the services of the employee are actually required by the voluntary emergency relief organisation of which the employee is a member, and
  • for teaching service employees, the operations of the school in which the employee is employed are not unduly affected

An employee who responds to an appeal for volunteers by the government or an authority may be released from duty for the duration of their participation in operations.

Evidence that the employee is required must be provided before release can be considered and evidence that the employee participated in emergency operations must be provided following the return to work.

An employee who is required to attain qualifications or to requalify to perform activities in an emergency relief organisation will be granted leave with pay for the period of time required to fulfil the requirements of the training course pertaining to those qualifications, provided that such training can be undertaken without unduly affecting the operations of the work unit in which the employee is employed.

Relevant legislation

Contact information

Emergency Services Leave Overview

Reviewed 15 April 2021

Policy last updated

15 June 2020

Scope

  • Schools
  • All Department staff

Contact

People Division Refer to ‘Contact information’ heading below for all HR contact details

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