decrease text size | increase text size

You are at: VEOHRC > Safe Schools > School leaders

School leaders

Every student has a right to feel safe at school. Every staff member has the right to expect that schools will be free of discrimination and harassment. A safe and supportive school begins with strong leadership. Principals, administrators and managers and school councillors have a responsibility to put effective strategies in place to provide students and teachers with positive and safe environments and real learning outcomes for all students.
Other Topics:
EO and Anti-Harassment Compliance
Employer Guidelines
Meeting the needs of students
Professional Development
Useful Contacts and Resources

How are schools affected by equal opportunity law?

Schools are covered by equal opportunity law because they:

Who is responsible if discrimination or sexual harassment occurs in a school?

  • Teachers and other staff are liable for their actions if they discriminate against or sexually harass others
  • Students are liable for their actions if they sexually harass other students
  • Teachers, staff and students may be liable if they authorise, encourage or assist others to discriminate or sexually harass
  • Employers (for example, schools, school councils) are liable for the actions of their employees and agents unless they can show that they have taken reasonable precautions to prevent discrimination or sexual harassment from occurring

The National Safe Schools Framework…

is a collaborative effort by the Australian Government and State and Territory government and non-government school authorities and other key stakeholders that presents a way of achieving a shared vision of physical and emotional safety and wellbeing for all students in all Australian schools. 

Read more about the National Safe Schools Framework.

What can a school do to prevent or minimise the risk of discrimination or sexual harassment from occurring?

A school needs to assess its best practice, its codes of conduct, its policies and procedures, its responsibilities as an employer, its curriculum and teaching, and its support and nurturing of students and teachers.

Victorian schools should feel confident they are supported by a clear legal framework that mandates appropriate and fair treatment for all school staff and students.

Schools are required to ensure that students and staff do not experience homophobia, discrimination or sexual harassment at school. Preventative measures undertaken need to be continuous, proactive and reflect educative processes within the school.

Inaction may amount to an implicit authorisation or encouragement of discrimination or sexual harassment. This means that a teacher or principal who ‘turns a blind eye’ to discrimination, homophobic abuse or sexual harassment by students or staff may be held liable on the basis of authorising or assisting discrimination.

The Department of Education’s Blueprint website provides the framework for an effective Victorian government school system. Blueprint’s eight strategies for creating effective schools include:

go to top