Amendments to allow for inquiry into a broader range of matters
Currently the Institute can only investigate complaints of serious misconduct. The new amendments allow the Institute to investigate a complaint of misconduct which is less than serious and to
investigate cases where a teacher’s ability to practise is affected by a health impairment. This includes requiring a teacher to undergo an independent health assessment and to conduct medical
panel hearings if required.
Disciplinary processes initiated without a complaint or notification
The new amendments will enable the Institute to investigate cases without a complaint or employer notification if the Institute has a reasonable belief that it is necessary.
Informal hearings
The new amendments widen the powers of informal hearing panels to allow a panel to order a teacher to undergo counselling, undertake relevant professional development, and to caution and reprimand
a teacher if their conduct warrants such censure.
Formal hearings
Similar to the amendments to the powers of the informal hearings which allow a panel to caution and reprimand a teacher if their conduct warrants such censure, a formal hearing panel will now be
able to cancel the registration of a teacher for a specified period of time which will ensure that a teacher cannot apply for registration again during the time period specified by the hearing panel.
Review by VCAT
The amendments will allow teachers to seek a review by the VCAT of a decision of the Institute to refuse to renew the registration of a teacher, or of any of
the sanctions such as cancellation of registration for a specified period of time, that result from a formal hearing into the conduct of a teacher.