Codes of Conduct and Ethics

Under s2.6.3 of the Education and Training Reform Act (2006) (the Act), the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) must develop, maintain and promote a Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for the teaching profession.

The Codes apply to everyone currently registered with VIT, regardless of whether they are currently working as a teacher.

About the Codes of Conduct and Ethics

The Victorian Teaching Profession’s Codes of Conduct and Ethics are public statements developed for and by the teaching profession to

• reflect shared principles about practice, conduct and ethics to be applied to promote the highest standards of professional practice
• enable registered teachers to reflect on their ethical decisions
• establish the quality of behaviour that reflects the expectations of the profession and the community, and
• provide a clear statement to the community about these expectations.

​​​​​​The Code of Conduct supports all teachers to understand the expectations of the teaching profession and the community in relation to their professional conduct, personal conduct and professional competence.

The VIT has an overarching function of providing for child safety and wellbeing, and this underpins the principles set out in the Code of Conduct.

As part of a registered profession and a profession of high public trust and accountability, teachers must be aware of and reflect the expectations and standards expected of them – the Code of Conduct can assist teachers to guide their professional and personal conduct.

Read the Codes

Download a copy of the Codes via the link below.

Related resources

The VIT has developed a range of resources to support both educational leaders and their teachers in understanding the Codes, including

• a series of webinars
• an educational leader support pack
• case study videos
• podcasts, and
• a teacher guidance pack.

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Codes can be found on the FAQs page.