Student Dress Code

Developing and reviewing student dress codes

To support school councils in developing and reviewing student dress codes, refer to the Checklist for developing or reviewing a student dress code policy (DOCX) in the Resources tab. Principals must table this checklist at a school council meeting before developing or reviewing a local student dress code.

Identifying the purpose of student dress codes

School councils should clearly identify the purpose(s) of the student dress code.

These purposes may include:

• promoting a sense of identity and pride, cohesion and good order in the school
• allowing all students to feel equal
• preventing bullying and competition on the basis of clothing
• ensuring students’ appearance reflects the expectations of their school community
• enhancing the profile and identity of the school and its students within the wider community
• strengthening the spirit of community within the school
• enhancing individual student safety and group security
• ensuring all students are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities
• preparing students for the expectations of workplaces
• encouraging students to present themselves appropriately for a particular role.

Consultation process

The school council must consult with the school community when developing and reviewing a student dress code. In preparing to consult, the school must carefully consider the forms and modes of consultation, for example:

• letters, emails and social media messages to parents/carers
• surveys
• information in newsletters
• public meetings
• student meetings
• focus groups
• information on the school website.

Refer to the Student Dress Code policy consultation guide (DOCX) in the Resources tab for sample consultation questions.

Refer to the Template consultation information factsheet for parents/carers (DOCX)that schools can use to inform parents/carers of their role in the consultation process.

When undertaking community consultation, the school council must allow at least 2 weeks to receive feedback.

Mechanisms for consultation must be identified in the school’s local student dress code policy or, alternatively, be recorded in school council minutes.

In preparing for the consultation the school council must:

• read the department’s Student Dress Code policy
• calculate the current cost of a full student uniform and consider whether this is affordable (if reviewing an existing student dress code)
• research student uniform costs and consider what is affordable for the local community (if developing a dress code for the first time)
• prepare consultation materials that set out:
  • the consultation process and timeframe
  • the purposes of the student dress code
  • any proposed changes to the student dress code and the reason for these changes
• guarantee opportunity for the viewpoints of parents/carers, teachers and students to be expressed
• translate material into community languages, or employ an interpreter for meetings, where appropriate
• provide for careful consideration of any information and variety of viewpoints collected in the consultation process before finalising the decision-making process
• seek out and consider the views of different groups within the school community (such as from different cultural, religious or ethnic backgrounds or other groups that may have additional needs in complying with a proposed student dress code)
• provide a timeline for implementation of the student dress code.

This consultation process must engage with parents/carers on uniform costs and seek to understand how these costs might affect different groups within the community. Other topics that may be relevant considerations during consultation include:

• purpose of the student dress code policy
• uniform design
• practicality of uniform
• inclusivity of uniform
• materials used in uniform construction
• uniform supply arrangements.

Important

School councils must document their student dress code consultation and development process as evidence that they have consulted with their school community. Once completed, the Checklist for developing or reviewing a student dress code policy must be retained as evidence of the consultation in line with the department’s Records Management policy.

The school council must be able to demonstrate to its school community that it has considered the cost implications of its selected school uniform and the ability of its community to afford it.

The school council’s student dress code policy development documents, including details of the consultation process, may be required as evidence or used by bodies such as the Victorian Ombudsman’s office in the event of a dispute.

Student dress code content

As the student dress code takes precedence over a student’s individual preferences, the dress code must:

• be compliant with federal and state anti-discrimination laws — refer to the chapter on Human rights requirements
• clearly outline:
  • the rights and responsibilities of parents/carers, students and the school
  • how parents/carers or students apply for an exemption from the dress code
• ensure the student uniform is affordable and does not include branded pants, shorts, skirts, skorts and socks
• set out uniform supply arrangements and strategies to assist families who have difficulty meeting uniform costs
• be respectful of the cultural norms of the school community
• be reasonable by contemporary standards and avoid unnecessarily intruding on students’ rights in matters of personal appearance
• allow for individual expression through alternatives within overall garment requirements
• ensure all students can wear any of the approved uniform items
• be suitable to the role of a student and the tasks and functions they perform
• outline the dress code complaints/concerns process
• consider health and safety issues, including sun protection
• allow students to dress comfortably in all weather conditions
• provide clothing for sports or physical education that is practical and that all students will feel comfortable wearing
• support informal or incidental physical activity such as lunchtime sport, walking or cycling to school
• include a full uniform list identifying compulsory and optional items
• be communicated clearly to students, and parents/carers prior to enrolment, providing a basis of assent
• outline the consultation and decision-making processes for reviews and amendments
• be reviewed if circumstances change significantly.

All gender options, trans and gender diverse students

Schools must take reasonable steps to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex, gender and sexuality. The department requires schools to support students who want to affirm their gender identity at school, including wearing the appropriate uniform that reflects the gender identity of the student. As such, student dress codes must ensure that students are able to wear whatever uniform items they feel comfortable wearing.

Trans and gender diverse students must be given flexible, inclusive uniform options as a step in preventing discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

This includes arrangements that support students’ safety, wellbeing and inclusion, such as:

• including exemptions where uniform items are not appropriate in size or fit for trans or gender diverse students and similar substitutions are needed
• working with uniform suppliers to list items by cut rather than gender which creates the impression that the uniform has gender divisions that are not present in the school’s policy
• enforcing uniform standards equally, regardless of gender identity (for example, hem length, hair length, make up and jewellery)
• explicitly acknowledging trans and gender diverse students in the student dress code
• referring to the department’s LGBTIQA+ Student Support policy.

Religious and cultural requirements

Some students may wish to observe particular religious and cultural requirements while also complying with the student dress code.

Schools are encouraged to include items such as head coverings and longer sleeves or skirts in the uniform as standard to avoid students needing to seek an exemption to wear them.

Schools are encouraged to provide students who wear braids or locs with the option to wear them loose unless it is a specific safety concern, for example, in applied technology classes.