Student Dress Code

Developing and reviewing dress codes

Identifying the purpose of student dress codes

It is best practice for school councils to ensure that the dress code purposes are clearly identified.

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 carefully consider the forms of consultation that will be undertaken in developing or reviewing a dress code. For example, consultation could include:

• letters to parents and carers
• surveys
• information in newsletters
• public meetings
• student meetings
• focus groups
• information on the school website.

This consultation process must:

• explain the purposes of the dress code and the reason for any proposed changes
• guarantee opportunity for the viewpoints of parents or carers, teachers and students to be expressed. Note: The mechanism for consultation must be identified in the student dress code policy or, alternatively, be recorded in school council minutes
• where appropriate, translate material into community languages, or employ an interpreter for meetings
• outline any proposed changes to uniform supply arrangements
• 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)
• allow for careful consideration of the practicality of garment design, materials used in construction, and the cost implications of proposed items
• provide a timeline for implementation of the dress code.

Important

It is best practice for school councils to document their dress code consultation and development process as evidence that they have consulted with their school community.

The school council’s dress code policies, and details of the consultation process that was followed may be required as evidence, or used by bodies such as Ombudsman Victoria, in the event of a dispute.

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 taken into account the ability of its parent population to afford it.

Student Dress Code Content

As the dress code takes precedence over a student’s individual preferences, it is best practice for the school council to consider if the dress code:

• is compliant with federal and state anti-discrimination laws — refer to the chapter on Human rights requirements
• clearly outlines:
  • the rights and responsibilities of parents and carers, students and the school
  • how parents, carers or students can apply for an exemption from the dress code
• is respectful of the cultural norms of the school community
• is reasonable by contemporary standards and avoids unnecessarily intruding on students’ rights in their personal appearance
• allows for individual expression through alternatives within overall garment requirements
• ensures all students have the opportunity to wear any of the approved uniform items
• is suitable to the role of a student and the tasks and functions they perform
• takes into account health and safety issues
• allows students to dress comfortably in all weather conditions
• provides clothing for sports or physical education that is practical and that all students will feel comfortable wearing
• supports informal or incidental physical activity such as lunchtime sport, walking or cycling to school
• is communicated clearly to students, parents or carers prior to enrolment, providing a basis of assent
• requirements can be met by all students and parents/carers. The range and cost of garments should reflect the capacity of families to provide them
• is supported by strategies to assist families who may have difficulty meeting uniform costs and this information is communicated to the school community
• outlines the dress code complaints/concerns process
• outlines the consultation and decision-making processes for reviews and amendments
• will 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, hair length, make up and jewellery)
• explicitly acknowledging trans and gender diverse students in the student dress code
• making reference 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.