Schools and school boarding premises

Minimum standards

Ministerial Order 1359 provides the framework for child safety in schools and school boarding premises.

Regulatory information

This information follows the structure of Ministerial Order 1359 and outlines:

• steps to compliance
• examples of common non-compliance
• links to resources.

What do schools and school boarding premises have to do?

Schools must have child safety strategies, policies and practices in place to comply with the Standards.

School boarding premises must also have child safe strategies and practices in place. They do not need separate policy documents to the school if they ensure the school policies address the unique risks and vulnerabilities of the school boarding setting.

The role of governing authorities

Ministerial Order 1359 acknowledges schools have different school governance arrangements.

When considering this regulatory information and guidance:

• Catholic schools must follow the Victorian Catholic Education Authority(opens in a new window) advice and ensure that policies and procedures are approved by their governing authority
• Government schools must follow Department of Education advice on the differing responsibilities of the school council and principal
• Independent schools must ensure their governing authority understands the obligations of Ministerial Order 1359 and approves the policies and procedures it requires.

Ready to get started?

Action lists for government and non-government schools:

• Child Safe Standards Action List – non-government schools (DOCX, 386KB)(opens in a new window)
• Child Safe Standards Action List – government schools (DOCX, 110KB) (opens in a new window) (opens in a new window)

Action lists specific to Catholic schools can be accessed through the Victorian Catholic Education Authority(opens in a new window).

Guidance and evidence requirements for each Standard is also available.