This policy explains what ‘duty of care’ means, how teaching staff may discharge their duty of care to students, and circumstances in which non-teaching staff, external providers and volunteers may owe students a duty of care.

The School Education Act 1999 requires all enrolled student to attend school or participate in an educational program of the school. Principals are required to record and monitor student attendance and develop appropriate strategies to restore attendance for students with persistent absence.

Access to Department online services and Department owned devices is provided to assist the Department in achieving its goals. The Department expects employees to use these resources in an ethical, legal, appropriate and acceptable manner.

Animals can enrich students’ learning experiences, however schools must adhere to consistent and high quality practices for the care and use of animals. Staff are to adhere to the processes of the Schools Animal Ethics Committee for the use of animals for any scientific teaching activity and/or adhere to the processes of Agricultural Education for the use of animals on school farms.

The policy details the responsibilities of Department staff in relation to the creation and maintenance of records, whether in paper or electronic format. It highlights the penalties for non-compliance with the State Records Act 2000.

This policy provides procedures for the recruitment, selection and appointment of teaching staff, school administrators and staff other than teachers and school administrators.

This policy and procedures outlines for all employees of the Department of Education to follow when travelling on a trip authorised by the Department.

On 6 February 2024 the Enrolment Framework for Students with a Visa in Public Schools was updated. A new enrolment process for overseas students will come into effect on Monday 19 February 2024.