School councils play a vital role in Victorian government schools and are established and operate under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic), the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017 (Vic) and a constituting Order

Objectives of school council

• Assist in the efficient governance of the school
• Ensure that its decisions affecting students of the school are made having regard, as a primary consideration, to the best interest of the students
• Enhance the educational opportunities of students at the school
• Ensure the school and the council complies with any requirements of the Education and Training Reform Act, the Education and Training Reform Regulations, a Ministerial Order or a direction, guideline or policy issued under the Education and Training Reform Act.

Functions of school council

• To establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the school's community
• To arrange for the supply of:
  • goods
  • services
  • facilities
  • materials
  • equipment
  • other things or matters required for the conduct of the school, including the provision of preschool programs
• To raise funds for school related purposes
• To regulate and facilitate the after-hours use of the school premises and grounds
• To exercise a general oversight of the school buildings and grounds and ensure they are kept in good order and condition
• To provide for the cleaning and sanitary services that are necessary for the school
• To ensure that all money coming into the hands of the council is expended for proper purposes relating to the school
• To provide meals and refreshments for the staff and students of the school and make charges for those meals or refreshments
• To inform itself and take into account any views of the school community for the purpose of making decisions in regard to the school and the students at the school
• To generally stimulate interest in the school in the wider community
• To prepare the School Strategic Plan and the Annual Implementation Plan — to be signed by the president and the principal
• To report annually (the Annual Report) to the school community and to the Department on:
  • the school’s financial activities
  • the School Strategic Plan, and
  • any other matters that are determined by the Minister
• To manage the hire, licence and shared use of school facilities
• To determine the dates for the school’s student-free days:
  • in accordance with the number of student-free days each calendar year specified by the Secretary of the Department
• To perform any other function or duty, or to exercise any power conferred or imposed on the council by or under:
  • the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, or
  • any regulations made under that Act
  • a Ministerial Order made, or direction issued, by the Minister under the Education and Training Reform Act.