Managing Industrial Action – Bans or limitations
Industrial action may take many forms including placing bans or limitations on undertaking particular duties or tasks.
The role of the principal
Where there is industrial action in the form of bans or limitations at the school, the principal is responsible for ensuring the educational program continues to run with as minimal disruption as possible.
Principals participating in bans or limitations
Where a principal intends to participate in bans or limitations, the principal must notify the regional director of their participation in the industrial action. The regional direction will determine what, if any, impact this participation has on the operations of the school and particularly any child safety risk.
Recording absences due to bans or limitations
There is no requirement to report employees that participate in industrial bans or limitations except where that ban or limitation involves an employee stopping work. Where an employee who participates in a ban or limitation does stop work, that absence is to be reported in accordance with the previous chapter, Managing Industrial Action – Stop work action.
Employees who participate in any bans or limitations not authorised by a Union may be engaging in unprotected industrial action. Principals should contact the People and Workplace Relations (Schools) Division for advice at workplace.relations@education.vic.gov.au.
Notification to parents
Principals may consider advising the parent community of current work bans and limitations that may impact parents, for example, with respect to student reports.
Student attendance
It is unlikely that employee participation in work bans or limitations would result in student dismissal. Where principals consider that student dismissal may be necessary as a result of bans or limitations, the principal should contact their regional director and advise them of this. The regional direction will determine what, if any, impact this participation has on the operations of the school and particularly any child safety risk.
Principals may also contact the People and Workplace Relations (Schools) Division for advice at workplace.relations@education.vic.gov.au.
Reporting requirements
Unless otherwise requested by the department, principals are not required to report on work bans or limitations unless the department advises otherwise. Principals will be advised on each occasion of the information required to be reported and will be provided a link to the reporting site
Reviewed 14 July 2026
