This page includes guidance for schools on information technology, computers, software and internet.
Teacher and principal notebook program
This program provides computer notebooks to schools, who assign them to eligible teachers and principal class employees.
The notebooks are the school's property but can be for work and personal use.
To be eligible to receive a notebook, you must be working in a school at a 0.4 full time equivalent (FTE) time fraction or higher.
Your school will assign a notebook to you. If you change schools, you'll need to return your notebook and your new school will assign another one.
The notebook provided is an
Acer TravelMate P446-M
The notebooks go through a review cycle and are periodically replaced.
Apple computers
Schools with a significant investment in Apple devices can choose to operate as an 'Apple school', with the approval of their school council.
Apple schools will receive a grant equal to the value of their notebook allocation. They purchase Apple notebooks from the Department's hardware panel and cover the difference in cost.
Secondary schools and P-12 schools can apply for an individual VCE teacher to be provided with an Apple notebook. The teacher must be delivering one or more of these subjects:
- VCE Art
- VCE Studio art
- VCE Visual communication dsign
- VCE Media
- VCE/VET Interactive digital media
- VCE Music performance
- VCE Music investigation
- VCE Music style and composition
- VCE/VET Music
- VCE/VET Music technical production
These subjects have a direct pathway into industries where Apple computers are widely used.
Get advice
For more information about the program, contact
notebook@edumail.vic.gov.au or 1800 641 943.
Technical support to schools
Schools are responsible for their overall technical support. The Department helps schools support their IT environment through the eduSTAR.TSS program (Technical support to schools).
The program engages almost 700 specialist technicians to provide onsite technical support across all Victorian Government schools.
More information, including what's covered and preferred suppliers, is on our intranet.
Log into the intranet first, then see:
Technical support to schools
Panels
There are companies that supply specialist technicians to schools around the state. The panels include:
Vacancies under this program will be offered to these panels.
School internet, email and filtering
eduSTAR.ISP is the government’s internet provider to schools. The service includes filtering, email and reporting.
Internet management tools are on our intranet.
Log into the intranet first, then see:
Remote access
Remote access to school systems is only available to:
- principals
- school business managers
- school finance liaison officers
- specialist technicians
- CASES21 administrators.
Application forms and setup information is on our intranet.
Log into the intranet first, then see:
Secure remote access service
Software
Information about software available to schools, and how to purchase extra software, is on our intranet.
Log into the intranet first, then see:
Computers and devices
You can purchase new IT hardware for your school through the Department's purchasing panel. For some programs this is mandatory.
Information on how to place an order is on our intranet.
Log into the intranet first, then see:
ICT Leasing facility
Schools can lease ICT equipment through the Department’s ICT Leasing Facility agreement. Log into the intranet first, then see:
ICT school planning
A school's ICT plan sets out an approach to:
- integrating technology into teaching and learning to improve student outcomes
- making informed purchases and providing appropriate support for equipment and software.
Guidance on creating and reviewing an ICT plan is on our intranet.
Log into the intranet first, then see:
ICT school planning
Census of computers in schools
This census measures the computer-to-student ratio in schools and assists with allocating equipment. For previous census data, see:
Census of computers in schools
Acceptable use policy
This policy applies to all users of the Department's ICT resources. For the full policy, see:
Acceptable use policy for ICT systems