Policy
This policy outlines the requirements for schools relating to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) induction procedure and initial and ongoing training of all school staff including casual relief teachers (CRTs).
Summary
- Schools, so far as is reasonably practicable, are to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
- The principal or their delegate must manage OHS risks in schools and provide school staff with the necessary OHS information, training, instruction and supervision to perform their work safely.
- All staff must be inducted using the provided checklist or equivalent template on commencement at the school in line with the OHS induction and training for school staff procedure.
- The induction of casual relief teachers (CRTs) (both employed via school local payroll and when hired via department-managed agencies) is included in this policy as their duties align directly with those in the teaching service.
- OHS training needs are to be identified and scheduled for all school staff, ensuring they understand their health and safety obligations and that they are competent to perform tasks associated with their roles safely.
- All training records must be maintained and kept up to date using eduSafe Plus, the OHS training register or equivalent template, which is to be reviewed at least annually.
- Central and regional offices provide a range of supports and services to assist principals and staff, including access to the OHS Advisory Service and the Statewide OHS Services Team who can provide free advice on OHS inductions and related training for staff.
- The induction and management of contractors (other than CRTs), volunteers and visitors is not included in this policy. Refer to relevant policies for further information.
Details
Schools are required to provide an OHS induction to new school staff, introducing them to the school’s safety culture, key contacts and safety procedures.
Schools are also required to manage ongoing OHS training which addresses job-specific or occasionally task specific requirements as mandated by OHS regulations, department policies, or at the determination of the school principal.
School staff are those directly employed by the principal or school council, and are departmental employees based in schools. This includes, but is not limited to:
- those in the teaching service
- school council employees
- administration
- educational support staff
- facilities and maintenance staff
- principal class
- some canteen, uniform shop and after-school hours care staff.
Casual relief teachers (CRTs) are included in this policy as their duties align with those who are directly employed in the teaching service. For information specific to the induction process for CRTs, refer to the OHS inductions for casual relief teachers chapter in the procedure tab.
This policy does not cover the induction or management of contractors (other than CRTs), regional staff, volunteers, or visitors. For further guidance refer to the:
For additional information regarding the induction and training of school staff that is not OHS specific please refer to:
- child safety induction or training procedures – Child Safe Standards policy
- recruitment induction and training procedures – Recruitment in Schools policy
- inclusive workplaces training and induction – Inclusive Workplaces overview
Visitors usually do not need to undertake an OHS induction – refer to the Visitors in Schools policy.
Roles and responsibilities in OHS induction and training
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 , OHS induction and training is a shared responsibility between the department, the principal or their delegate and school staff.
Department’s roles and responsibilities
The department must provide employees with sufficient information, training, instruction and supervision to perform their work safely.
Principal or their delegate’s roles and responsibilities
The principal or their delegate, in consultation with school staff who are or are likely to be affected, and the health and safety representative (HSR), where elected, must provide new school staff with a role appropriate induction at the start of their employment.
The principal or delegate must also ensure learning is planned for each staff member and that it meets the OHS training needs for their role and OHS requirements of the school.
School staff roles and responsibilities
School staff must take reasonable care for their own health, safety and wellbeing, and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions while at work. This includes participating in and completing all induction activities.
School staff must also participate in an initial OHS induction and ongoing OHS training relevant to their role and the activities they undertake.
Key requirements for schools to provide OHS induction and training
The principal or delegate must:
- provide school staff with the necessary OHS induction, training, instruction and supervision to perform their work safely
- identify and schedule OHS training for all school staff ensuring that it is relevant to their role and the activities they are undertaking
- ensure that additional relevant training is made available to elected health and safety representatives (HSRs) if requested as per the OHS Consultation and Communication policy
- retain school staff OHS induction and training records for 7 years as per Records Management policy
- ensure the OHS training register or equivalent is scheduled in the OHS activities calendar, School Operations Forward Planner or equivalent to be reviewed at least annually and ensure this is undertaken.
The OHS Induction and Training procedure (in the procedure tab) provides further detail for each of the above requirements.
Department supports for schools
Statewide OHS Services Team and the OHS Advisory Service
Central and regional offices provide a range of supports and services to assist principals and employees to be safe and well. This includes access to the OHS Advisory Service and the Statewide OHS Services Team, who provide free advice in relation to OHS induction and training.
eduSafe Plus
eduSafe Plus (staff login is the online portal for schools to manage occupational health, safety and wellbeing electronically. eduSafe Plus supports schools with OHS induction and training by offering the following:
- online completion and recording of OHS inductions, by creating or uploading induction checklists into eduSafe plus
- management of OHS certificates and proof of
- auto-populated controls on the online OHS risk register, listing specific OHS training where relevant.
The eduSafe Plus Knowledge Base (staff login contains a range of useful references guides, training and answers to frequently asked questions about the system. Further guidance around eduSafe Plus can be found on the Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management in Schools PAL page and the Statewide OHS Services Team or the OHS Advisory Service can support schools on utilising the program.
Related policies
- Career Start
- Contractor OHS Management
- Contractors – Insurance and Contract Arrangements
- Emergency and Critical Incident Management Planning
- Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management in Schools
- Outside School Hours Care – Decision Making Regarding the Provision of OSHC
- Visitors in Schools
- Volunteer OHS Management
Relevant legislation
Reviewed 07 July 2025