Age Requirements Regulations 2009 - Public Consultation
Background
The Education and Training Reform Amendment (Age Requirements) Regulations 2009 amend the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2007 to provide for the age requirements for enrolment and attendance at government schools. They remake, with some changes, the Education (Prescribed Age) Regulations 1999.
Consultation / Submissions
Consultation was vital to remaking the regulations.
In total nine submissions were received from various individuals and stakeholder bodies during the consultation period, which closed on 19 December 2008.
Notice of Decision
After carefully considering the submissions, the regulations were made with no significant change to the exposure draft that was released for public consultation. However, in response to feedback during the consultation process, a set of guidelines will be developed to support the implementation of the regulations, and the introduction of processes for exempting students, where appropriate, from the minimum and maximum age requirements.
It is the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s intention to work with key stakeholders in the development of the guidelines, to ensure that the exemptions processes to be applied provide for the continuation of existing initiatives and, where appropriate, the development of new initiatives, particularly those targeting at risk students that fall outside the age requirements. All efforts will be made to ensure that such processes do not increase significantly the burden on schools and parents.
Final Regulations
A copy of the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2007, incorporating the Age Requirements Regulations, will be able to be viewed through the Victorian Legislation website
Interim Enrolment Arrangements for 2009
The new regulations come into effect as of 8 February 2009. However, most enrolment decisions for 2009 will have been made under the 1999 regulations.
To assist with the transition to the new regulations, interim arrangements will apply to the 2009 school year so that all students enrolled under the 1999 regulations can continue to attend the school at which they are enrolled. Advice has been developed for principals and school-based staff about the approval of enrolments under the new regulations. A copy be downloaded below.
Further information
Queries regarding the introduction of the new regulations should be directed to the Legislation Implementation Unit by phone (03) 9637 3207 or email legislation.implementation@edumail.vic.gov.au
Alternatively, contact the Assistant Regional Director (School Operations) at your relevant regional office.
For more information in relation to the regulations, see:
- New Age Requirements Regulations - Enrolment Arrangements for 2009 (PDF - 30Kb)
- Age Requirements Regulations 2009 (PDF - 39Kb)
- Education and Training Reform Act 2006