Suitability for Employment Checks

Introduction

The Department of Education and Training (the Department) and school councils have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all children and employees, and to maintain the security of assets by requiring and maintaining high standards of professional conduct from employees and volunteers.

In meeting these responsibilities, the Department and school councils must be satisfied that only those employees and volunteers who meet the highest standards of probity and suitability are employed. Such assessments may include reference or referee checks, medical assessments, qualification verification, a criminal record check and/or a Working With Children Check.

Verification of suitability for employment is assisted by ensuring the employment of new school based employees proceeds in accordance with legislative obligations pursuant to the Worker Screening Act 2020 (for non-teaching employees and volunteers) and Education and Training Reform Act 2006 Part 2.6 Victorian Institute of Teaching (for principals and teachers).

The authority for the policy and procedures is Ministerial Order 1038 which applies to the principal class, teacher class and education support class employed by the Department, and Ministerial Order 1039 for all non-teaching staff and casual relief teachers employed by school councils.

Allied health staff (employed as Victorian Public Servants) and nurses employed by the Department are also covered by this policy.

These guidelines set out the policy and procedures to be followed in relation to suitability and probity checks that are required.