New powers will allow principals to act on student behaviour beyond the school gate, including online.
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Victoria’s school principals will take on even more responsibility from the first day of Term 3 this year, when they are given new powers to act on student behaviours.
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Until now, Victorian principals have only been able to suspend or expel students for incidents occurring on school grounds; however, soon they will be able to act on issues outside school and online, too.
These powers will address growing concerns around harmful behaviour occurring beyond the school gate — particularly online — that poses a serious risk to the safety of staff and students.
In 2023, Victorian government schools recorded a total of 266 expulsions — 244 from secondary schools and 22 from primary schools.
Seventy of those students were in Year 9, and 188 of them were male.
With these powers already in place in NSW and South Australia, Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll said the strengthened powers were about ensuring students and staff were protected, no matter where the risk arose.
“In Victoria, community safety comes first,” Mr Carroll said.
“The safety of students, teachers and school staff is our top priority — we’re investing in programs that foster more respectful schools and acting to protect school communities.
“This builds on our nation-leading ban on mobile phones in schools and our support of a social media ban for kids — keeping kids safe in the classroom and online.”
The Department of Education echoed this sentiment, reinforcing the government’s message.
“The safety of students, teachers and school staff is our top priority — we’re investing in programs that foster more respectful schools and acting to protect school communities,” a spokesman from the Department of Education said.
“These strengthened powers send a clear message that harmful behaviour outside of school or online has consequences.”
The strengthened powers are part of a broader push to promote respectful behaviour in Victorian schools.
The government’s School-wide Positive Behaviour Support program helps schools establish safe learning spaces, teach appropriate behaviour and support students needing extra help — ultimately aiming to reduce violence and disruption for staff and peers.
This program and others are part of a continued effort to ensure harmful behaviour — no matter where it happens — doesn’t compromise the safe, inclusive learning environment every student deserves.
Victorian principals will receive updated policies, guidance and resources ahead of Term 3 to support and prepare them for implementation.
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