Boarding Schools – Guidelines for Operating

Yes, under the provisions of a range of Commonwealth and Victorian laws.

Schools must comply with the following Acts and Regulations to ensure the wellbeing of all boarders:

• Building Regulations 2018 (Vic)
• Building Act 1993 (Vic)
• Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic)
• Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic)
• Food Act 1984 (Vic)
• Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
• Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic)
• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic)
• Public health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009 (Vic)
• Water Industry Act 1994 (Vic)
• Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic).

Every boarding school must have in place appropriate requirements to ensure the safety and welfare of all boarders. Schools that operate boarding facilities should be able to provide evidence of policies and procedures for the protection and wellbeing of all boarding students, and should support their emotional, physical, academic and social needs and development.

The skills and number of boarding staff should be suitable for the number and needs of boarding students, and for the activities and responsibilities involved.

The scope of policies and procedures will differ for each school depending on the school’s philosophy, ethos and practices; however, minimum requirements should be implemented to ensure duty of care is given indiscriminately to all boarders.

You may be in breach of the laws stated above. Penalties can apply.

Peter Roberts
Director, School Services
Ph. 03 9825 7211
peter.roberts@is.vic.edu.au

Kieren Noonan
Head of Innovation
Ph. 03 9825 7275
kieren.noonan@is.vic.edu.au

• Compliance Framework – Food Safety
• Australian Boarding Schools Association
• Australian Building Codes Board
• Australian Taxation Office: GST and long-term accommodation supplied to staff in a school’s boarding house
• Victorian Building Authority: Smoke Alarms
  Boarding houses are class three buildings.
• Victorian Building Authority: Essential Safety Measures
  Boarding houses are class three buildings.