Teaching with Animals

Inspections, audits, non-compliance and complaints relating to teaching with animals

VSAEC inspections

The Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee (VSAEC) has the authority to visit schools and inspect activity compliance, animal housing facilities, and monitoring and record keeping. This only applies to schools undertaking an activity that has been approved by the VSAEC.

Inspections are scheduled on a case-by-case basis and aim to assist schools to meet their animal welfare requirements. They involve a pre-inspection questionnaire followed by an inspection visit by suitably qualified members of the VSAEC. A report will be prepared and released to the school principal and any staff involved in the activity.

Inspection records include:

• the results of the pre-inspection questionnaire
• the names of those who visited the school
• a record of observations
• a list of any identified problems
• follow-up correspondence with the school and teachers regarding outcomes of the visit.

It is important that schools maintain their record keeping of animals as these documents are requested as part of any inspection. Refer to Monitoring and keeping records about animal health and welfare for more information.

Animal Welfare Victoria audits

Every 3 years Animal Welfare Victoria conducts audits of licences and assesses compliance by all parties involved in the use of animals in schools – the department, VSAEC, government/non-government schools and animal facilities and teachers.

Audits are an educational opportunity for schools, teachers, the VSAEC and auditors. The audit process can be used to evaluate and improve the facilities, procedures, and the delivery of approved projects.

For more information, refer to Animal Welfare Victoria – Audits.

Non-compliance with the Code

The department has procedures for addressing non-compliance with the Code in Victorian schools. The non-compliance events procedure promotes behaviours that create and support compliance and states that behaviours that compromise compliance will not be tolerated. Non-compliance with the Code includes:

• any breaches in the care and use of animals for educational purposes including lead teachers, animal carers, the VSAEC, governance officials, and external parties subject to agreements
• any breaches of relevant state legislation.

The department advises regulatory authorities of any breaches of the Code and maintains records of all reported breaches.

All non-compliance with the code must be lodged with the VSAEC Secretariat at animalethics@education.vic.gov.au

Complaints

Complaints by schools about VSAEC decisions

If a school disagrees with a VSAEC decision, they can register a grievance, asking the VSAEC to provide reasons for the decision or review the decision.

A complaint by a school against any decision taken by the VSAEC can be lodged with the VSAEC Secretariat at animalethics@education.vic.gov.au

Complaints about animal treatment in a school

Complaints about animal treatment in a school must be raised with the principal of the school in the first instance.

If a suitable solution is not identified, the complainant can then lodge a complaint with the Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee at: animalethics@education.vic.gov.au

Any concerns regarding the care, use or treatment of any animal on school property must be reported in writing.

In some cases it may be appropriate to report to one of the following:

• Agriculture Victoria
• RSPCA
• local government
• Victoria Police.

Refer to Agriculture Victoria – Report animal cruelty for more information.