Introduction

The following web links cover the key issues to do with school councils in Victoria.

If you have a specific query, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can phone the:

• VICCSO office on (03) 9429 5900 or e-mail us at info@viccso.org.au
• VICCSO President, Nicholas Abbey, on 0402 152 634 or e-mail him at nicholas.abbey@optusnet.com.au.

As well, see our School Council Q & As together with our list of ten good practices for school councils at What is Good Governance?

The Department

Contact the Community & Stakeholder Relations Branch in the Department for advice on legislation and policy matters relating to school council governance and responsibilities.

The School Councils section on the Department’s website supports current and new school councillors and includes information about:

• School council roles and responsibilities
• Elections
• Operations
• Strategic planning and policy

The following documents from the Department provide an overview of school council roles and processes:

• Introduction to School Councils: a guide for prospective members
• Introduction to School Councils: an induction program
• Making the Partnership Work

The Department also has other governance and management information and resources.

As well, it has detailed formal information relating to:

• The legal framework for operation of school councils
• Guidelines for membership of school councils
• Guidelines for formation and composition of councils in non-regular schools
• Conducting a school council election
• School council proceedings
• Summary of powers and duties of a school council
• Parent clubs and welfare clubs.

State Services Authority

The State Services Authority is responsible for providing advice on, and promoting, good governance for public entities (which include school councils). See the SSA Good Practice Guide on Governance for Victorian Public Sector Entities.