Approvals

From Term 1 2017, Victorian government and Catholic schools will use the new Victorian Curriculum F-10. Curriculum related information is currently being reviewed and may be subject to change.

For more information on the curriculum, see:
The Victorian Curriculum F–10 - VCAA

Purpose of this policy

To ensure excursions are planned and approved appropriately

Policy

Principals must ensure that excursions are approved in accordance with Departmental requirements.

Who approves the excursion

This table explains the approvals required before an excursion can occur.

Excursion type	Then it must be approved by
overnight excursions camps interstate and international visits excursions requiring sea or air travel excursions involving weekends or vacations adventure activities.	the school council, or both school councils when it is a joint activity involving another school and the Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors must be followed.
day excursions (other than those referred to above that must be approved by the school council).	the principal, or both principals when it is a joint activity involving another school.

Excursion type

Then it must be approved by

overnight excursions
camps
interstate and international visits
excursions requiring sea or air travel
excursions involving weekends or vacations
adventure activities.

the school council, or
both school councils when it is a joint activity involving another school

and

the Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors must be followed.

day excursions (other than those referred to above that must be approved by the school council).

the principal, or
both principals when it is a joint activity involving another school.

Note: the principal approves cancellations or alterations to excursion arrangements.

Joint-school activities

The nominated co-ordinating principal or teacher ensures:

planning and approval requirements are met
parents or carers are informed that their children may be supervised by teachers and other approved adults from the other school.

Note: All schools involved in a joint excursion must complete an online notification of school activity form.

Required approvals for staff

This table describes the required approvals for teachers or principals who are to accompany excursions.

For an excursion that is	The accompanying	Must be approved by the
interstate	staff employed by the Department	regional director
interstate	principal	regional director
overseas	staff employed by the Department	Deputy Secretary, Regional Services Group

Important: a School Travel Application Form must be submitted online to the relevant travel approver at least 6 weeks before the proposed departure date, see the eduGate School Staff Travel Applications site. For the Department's Travel Policy, see: Travel for Staff

Related policies

Department resources

Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors