Placement Policy

 

 - PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF 6TH OF APRIL 2023, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS PUBLISHED A NEW PLACEMENT POLICY THAT CHANGES THE CRITERIA OF PLACEMENT IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL ZONE. These updates are reflected below.

 

 

This Placement Policy sets out requirements for entry into Victorian government schools, including admissions, enrolments, the placement of students and transfers between schools. (For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Placement Policy webpage of the Department of Education and Training.)

 

According to the Placement Policy:

 

Eligible children and young persons have the right to be admitted to their designated neighbourhood government school, regardless of capacity.

In circumstances where schools do not have sufficient accommodation to accept all students who apply from outside their school zone, schools must manage enrolment applications in accordance with the following priority order of placement:

 

1. students with a sibling at the same permanent address who are attending the school at the same time

 

2. all other students in order of closeness of their home to the school. Please see the Find My School Website for more information

 

 

Please note Students from outside the school zone will no longer be prioritised for enrolment based on curriculum grounds.

 

Compassionate Grounds

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be enrolled in a school based on compassionate grounds. This is an overarching consideration and does not form part of the priority order of placement. 

 

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be enrolled at a school on compassionate grounds. This is an overarching consideration and does not form part of the priority order of placement.

 

Families must be able to clearly demonstrate the exceptional circumstances which they believe make an enrolment at their designated neighbourhood school unsuitable for their child or children.

 

Exceptional circumstances may include family violence, wellbeing and safety concerns, physical and/or mental health concerns. Importantly, this is not a comprehensive list of exceptional circumstances whereby a family may seek an enrolment on compassionate grounds – each application will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

 

Under the Disability Standards for Education 2005, education providers are legally required to make reasonable adjustments for students with disability. On that basis, grounds for exceptional circumstances do not include concerns related to a student’s disability where those concerns can be addressed by making reasonable adjustments. For examples of reasonable adjustments and further guidance, refer to: Making reasonable adjustments.

 

The student will generally be offered a place at the school in next closest proximity to the student’s permanent address or current address or location where relevant.

When considering an application or appeal on compassionate grounds, schools and regional staff can request that families provide further evidence. This may include:

  • legal documentation
  • reports from allied health and/or medical professionals, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing practitioners, Victoria Police, and/or family violence services
  • court orders.

Matters of compassionate grounds are of a sensitive nature and may pose risks to health and life (for example, matters related to family violence). Family and student privacy must be maintained when considering applications on compassionate grounds.

 

For 2024 entry, the cut-off date for all applications is:

 

- 28 July 2023, with confirmation sent out by Friday 11 August 2023.

 


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