Latest updates on school policies and advice
Find information about any new, updated and revoked policies for Northern Territory (NT) Government schools.
New policies
| Title | Effective from | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint Resolution Framework | 29 July 2024 | The new complaint resolution framework provides schools and corporate with a clear process for receiving and effectively resolving complaints about education programs and services. The framework includes guidelines and procedures, staff toolkits and resources for complainants. |
| Cash benchmark - part of the FARMS manual | April 2024 | The guidelines reflect revised methodology of calculating the cash benchmark for a school and key risk considerations for a school to consider when adjusting the calculated cash benchmark. |
| My employment category | November 2023 | An approval to work form for NTG school-based employees is now available |
November 2023 | There are now 21 Privacy information statements for apps for use by staff and parents | |
| Employee grievance – information for NTG staff | November 2023 | Guidance provided to staff that includes role clarity for staff, People and culture champions and managers |
| Safety management category | November 2023 | Hazard management documents have been updated to ensure school and corporate employees have the most recent information, please review the following:
|
| Safety risk management | November 2023 | A new risk management sub-category ensures the critical Safety risk management guidelines and support resources are easy to find |
| Safe use of online environments in preschool fact sheet | 1 October 2023 | This fact sheet has been developed to provide further guidance to preschools in relation to existing department and whole of government online environments policies. |
| Enrolment and attendance | 24 May 2024 | A major review of the department’s enrolment and attendance policy suite has resulted in:
|
| Digital applications | 19 May 2023 | This policy outlines the department’s requirements for procurement and use of digital applications. The policy supports all staff in their obligation to keep our student, staff and department information safe. |
| Student mobile phones in government schools | Day 1, Term 1 2023 |
The policy outlines the government’s policy reform for mobile phones in government schools and will apply to mobile phones and smart watches. The existing Personal digital devices in educational environments is currently being amended. |
| Vaccination programs in Northern Territory Government schools policy PDF (722.4 KB) Vaccination programs in Northern Territory Government schools policy DOCX (659.5 KB) | November 2022 | The policy outlines how the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Health work together to provide vaccination services to children in NT schools in accordance with the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and the NT Immunisation Schedule Children (up to 19 years). |
| Child safety policy PDF (731.3 KB) Child safety policy DOCX (199.9 KB) | 17 June 2022 | The policy reinforces the department’s commitment to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. The policy supports every person involved in NT Government schools in their responsibility to provide environments that safeguard children from harm. |
Administration of medications to students with notified medical conditions procedure DOCX (670.1 KB) | 6 June 2022 | The administration of medications to students with notified medical conditions procedure was updated with important information for schools and staff about their obligations and protections when fulfilling duty of care requirements. |
| Supplementary preschool enrolment form PDF (195.3 KB) Supplementary preschool enrolment form DOCX (69.0 KB) | 6 December 2021 | The supplementary preschool enrolment form has been updated to meet new national regulation requirements. Schools must use the updated form for all 2022 preschool enrolments. |
| Families as First Teachers policy PDF (1.1 MB) Families as First Teachers policy DOCX (1.1 MB) Families as First Teachers guidelines PDF (1.1 MB) Families as First Teachers guidelines DOCX (881.8 KB) Families as First Teachers attendance recording procedures PDF (1.0 MB) Families as First Teachers attendance recording procedures DOCX (658.9 KB) | 12 August 2021 | The Families as First Teachers (FaFT) policy documents explain the delivery, reporting and accountability processes for FaFT programs across the Territory. |
| Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) curriculum, assessment, reporting and certification policy: early childhood to Year 12 PDF (750.1 KB) Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) curriculum, assessment, reporting and certification policy: early childhood to Year 12 DOCX (831.5 KB) | 6 August 2021 | Sets out the standards and processes required to ensure that the NT education system promotes excellence and equity while delivering world-class curriculum and assessment |
| Codes of conduct for education sites and workplace participants policy PDF (742.5 KB) Codes of conduct for education sites and workplace participants policy DOCX (657.2 KB) Codes of conduct for education sites and workplace participants procedures PDF (727.4 KB) Codes of conduct for education sites and workplace participants procedures DOCX (668.0 KB) | 16 June 2021 | Sets the standards, expected behaviours and procedures for creating learning and working environments that are safe and supportive for all school community members. |
Updated policies
| Title | Effective from | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FARMS manual | September 2024 | Minor amendment to streamline Chapters 1 – 4 into the introductory governance section, which changed the numbering system. No changes have been made to requirements principals, school body members and business managers must follow to effectively manage the financial and other resources of a school. |
| Curriculum, Assessment, reporting and certification: birth to Year 12 policy | 13 September 2024 | The policy has had a minor revision to provide clarity about A-E grading in section 6.4.2 and a change to 7.2 to align to SACE guidelines regarding late submissions. |
| June 2024 | Guidelines reviewed and amended to clarify processes | |
| Asbestos information for students | January 2024 | Presentation to school students has been updated. |
| Asthma guidelines for Australian schools | 1 December 2023 | The Asthma management in schools guidelines and supporting documents have been reviewed and replaced by the national Asthma guidelines for Australian schools. The national guidelines have been developed by the peak bidy, Asthma Australia. |
| Best Practice Guidelines for anaphylaxis prevention and management in schools | 1 December 2023 | The Anaphylaxis management in schools guidelines and risk management plan have been reviewed and replaced by the national Best Practice Guidelines for anaphylaxis prevention and management in schools. The national guidelines have been developed by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. The national guidelines are supported by a comprehensive website providing advice and templates for schools. |
| Allocation of government school education – 26 semesters – guidelines and application forms | 26 October 2023 | The Allocation of government schooling – 26 semesters – policy has been reviewed and updated. The policy now has clear delegated authority for approval of applications for the first and second additional semesters, and for the third and greater additional semesters application. |
| Preschool guide to NQF policy requirements | 1 October 2023 | The preschool guide to the NQF policy requirements has been reviewed and updated. This document outlines how preschools should implement the department's policies and procedures to meet the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations. |
| Delivery, collection and transportation in preschool procedure | 1 October 2023 | The delivery, collection and transportation in preschool procedure has been updated to reflect amendments made to the Education and Care Services National Regulations. These regulatory changes will commence on 1 October 2023. |
| Safe sleep and rest requirements for children in preschool procedure | 1 October 2023 | The safe sleep and rest requirements for children in preschool procedure has been updated to reflect amendments to the Education and Care Services National Regulations. These regulatory changes will commence on 1 October 2023. |
| Preschool procedures risk assessment template | 1 October 2023 | The preschool procedures risk assessment template has been updated and can be used by preschools to identify, manage and minimise risks to the safety, health or wellbeing of preschool children. |
| Excursions | 24 July 2023 | The excursions policy, guidelines and procedures have been updated. The changes make the excursion application process more streamlined for schools while ensuring safety of students. |
| Gift and benefits policy | 11 July 2023 | The gifts and benefits policy and form for all department public sector officers has been updated. The revised policy has been strengthened by expanding definitions, making it clearer who the policy applies to and the requirements to report declined gifts and benefits offered. All school-based and corporate public sector officers are encouraged to read the updated policy on the eLearn policy and advisory library. Login to eLearn with your education.nt.gov.au username and password. |
| 10 June 2023 | The swimming and water safety policy, procedures and supporting documents has been updated to reflect the new National Swimming and Water Safety Framework, which will have implications on swim and survive levels, competencies and qualification requirements. | |
| Delivery, collection and transportation in preschool procedure | 1 March 2023 | The procedure has been updated to reflect amendments made to the Education and Care Services National Amendment Regulations 2022. These regulatory changes will commence on 1 March 2023. |
| Smoke-free premises policy | 12 October 2022 | The Smoke free premises policy has been amended to include electronic cigarettes, which are devices designed to simulate the act of smoking tobacco. This also aligns the department's policy position with that of the Department of Health. |
| Personal digital devices in educational environments policy | 17 June 2022 | Principals and schools are encouraged to review the updated Mobile phones and electronic devices in the school environment policy, now named Personal digital devices in educational environments policy. The name change covers emerging technologies and extended learning environments, the policy intention is the same – principals have autonomy to make decisions about usage in their own schools. The updated policy incorporates the previous guidelines with the addition of options schools may select from for the use of personal digital devices, including responsible use, restricted use or switched off and securely stored. A support package has been developed, that includes a school procedure and acceptable use form and consultation register templates, to assist schools in developing processes that suit their needs. To read the updated policy, go to student health, safety, wellbeing and behaviour. |
| Preschool guide to NQF policy requirements PDF (516.1 KB) Preschool guide to NQF policy requirements DOCX (95.3 KB) | 8 April 2022 | Updated to reflect recent preschool specific policy and procedure updates. |
| Managing water hazards in preschool policy and procedures PDF (169.2 KB) Managing water hazards in preschool policy and procedures DOCX (57.8 KB) | 8 April 2022 | Under the reviewed managing water hazards in preschool policy and procedures, preschools are no longer required to develop their own site specific preschool procedure but to undertake a risk assessment approach to managing water hazards within their context in line with the revised procedure. |
| Managing water hazards in preschool – preschool risk assessment template PDF (133.2 KB) Managing water hazards in preschool – preschool risk assessment template DOCX (60.3 KB) | 8 April 2022 | A new template to support preschools to assess and manage any water hazards within their environment and program. |
| Nutrition, food and beverage and dietary requirements in preschools policy and procedures PDF (171.6 KB) Nutrition, food and beverage and dietary requirements in preschools policy and procedures DOCX (57.9 KB) | 8 April 2022 |
Under the reviewed nutrition, food and beverage and dietary requirements in preschools policy and procedures, preschools are no longer required to develop their own site specific preschool procedure, and will follow the procedures set out in this document. |
| Preschool specific policy PDF (659.4 KB) Preschool specific policy DOCX (67.5 KB) Preschool guide to NQF policy requirements PDF (516.1 KB) Preschool guide to NQF policy requirements DOCX (95.3 KB) | 24 January 2022 | The preschool specific policy and preschool guide to the NQF policy requirements have been reviewed and updated. These documents outline how preschools should implement the department's policies and procedures to meet the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations. |
| Responsible person and education leader delegations procedure PDF (845.9 KB) Responsible person and education leader delegations procedure DOCX (112.1 KB) | 24 January 2022 | The responsible person in preschools guidelines have been revised to provide additional information about managing delegations and the roles of the nominated supervisor and person in day-to-day charge. The updated procedure also includes delegation information for the educational leader role in preschools. This procedure is supported by the nominated supervisor consent form DOCX (62.9 KB) and the preschool delegations consent form DOCX (63.3 KB). |
| Participation of pre-service teachers/educators and volunteers procedure PDF (708.6 KB) Participation of pre-service teachers/educators and volunteers procedure DOCX (65.1 KB) | 24 January 2022 | The participation of pre-service teachers/educators and volunteers procedures has been updated so that preschools are no longer required to develop their own procedures. Preschools should now follow these procedures to establish process for induction, management and recording of pre-service teacher/educators and volunteer participation in the service. A template DOCX (64.6 KB) is also provided to support the recording of participation in line with the regulatory requirements. |
| Attendance and participation policy PDF (678.1 KB) Attendance and participation policy DOCX (79.7 KB) Attendance recording and reporting guidelines PDF (665.0 KB) Attendance recording and reporting guidelines DOCX (73.7 KB) Exemptions from attendance and participation guidelines PDF (568.5 KB) Exemptions from attendance and participation guidelines DOCX (70.5 KB) Attendance - compliance guidelines Enrolment policy Enrolment procedures PDF (622.3 KB) Enrolment procedures DOCX (75.4 KB) Enrolment enforcement guidelines PDF (903.8 KB) Enrolment enforcement guidelines DOCX (163.7 KB) |
17 December 2021 |
A review of the department’s enrolment and attendance policy suite has resulted in:
|
| Mandatory reporting of harm and exploitation of children guidelines PDF (823.6 KB) Mandatory reporting of harm and exploitation of children guidelines DOCX (74.6 KB) Mandatory reporting of harm and exploitation of children - directors/managers declaration and attendance sheet PDF (434.9 KB) Mandatory reporting of harm and exploitation of children - directors/managers declaration and attendance sheet DOCX (65.4 KB) Mandatory reporting of harm and exploitation of children - principals declaration and attendance sheet PDF (434.2 KB) Mandatory reporting of harm and exploitation of children - principals declaration and attendance sheet DOCX (65.3 KB) | 17 December 2021 | The mandatory reporting of harm and exploitation of children guidelines and the associated templates have been updated to reflect the availability of the department’s new online mandatory reporting of harm and exploitation of children training. |
| Northern Territory Board of Studies student awards policy PDF (238.2 KB) Northern Territory Board of Studies student awards policy DOCX (154.0 KB) | 6 August 2021 | Update of template and terminology. |
| Travel assistance Northern Territory Board of Studies award recipient policy PDF (766.5 KB) Travel assistance Northern Territory Board of Studies award recipient policy DOCX (1.6 MB) | 6 August 2021 | Update of template and terminology. |
Revoked policies
No policies have been revoked in the last year.
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