About the guidelines#

These guidelines:

• describe the process for stand downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions as set out in legislation
• take you through these processes from beginning to end
• incorporate guidance from courts
• provide model letters and templates you may use to meet your requirements.

They are designed to help you:

• act legally
• make good decisions
• act fairly
• understand your options and duties
• minimise the risk of complaints, litigation or review by the Ombudsman.

Download the guidelines#

Legislative guide#

The legislative guide is a consolidated summary of the legislation referenced in the guidelines, the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Education (Stand-down, Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion) Rules 1999.

Flow chart toolkit#

The toolkit draws together the process flowcharts for stand downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions. It is designed as an additional resource for principals, boards and teachers.

Templates#

Templates for incident reports and letters can be adapted by schools to meet their situations and needs.

The template letters document contains:

• letter 1: Notifying parent/s or caregivers of stand down
• letter 2: Notifying parent/s or caregivers of suspension
• letter 3: Notifying parent/s or caregivers of outcome of suspension meeting
• letter 4: Notifying parent/s or caregivers of a reconsideration meeting
• letter 5: Notifying parent/s or caregivers about the outcome of a reconsideration meeting
• letter 6: Notifying parent/s or caregivers of withdrawal of a stand down
• letter 7: Notifying parent/s or caregivers of lifting/shortening of stand down.

Parent information sheets#

These information sheets are for schools to give to parents.

More translations#

Translations of these information sheets on the parents' page.