Policy library A - Z
The Policy library contains all current operational policies in the NSW Department of Education.
For general policy enquiries please contact the policy owner listed at the bottom of the policy document.
Our A-Z listing is being enhanced, displaying policy statements and procedures as separate line items, to improve navigation (e.g. Policy governance has 2 line items, one for the policy statement and another for the procedure).
Document type
Policy categories
Policy list
A
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Accreditation procedures
Direction and guidance on teacher accreditation within NSW public schools, which is regulated and overseen by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional learning, performance and accreditation
Publication date
30/08/2024
B
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Beginning teacher support entitlement
Direction and guidance for schools on Beginning Teacher Support Entitlement, provided to support the induction and professional development of eligible beginning teachers.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Workforce planning and management
Publication date
30/01/2025
C
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Change of personal information procedures
Direction and guidance on updating employee personal information while maintaining privacy and confidentiality. These procedures are in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988, Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.
Title
ClassCover procedures
Direction and guidance for principals and casual teachers on using ClassCover, the department’s preferred online casual teacher booking solution.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
02/09/2024
Title
Code of ethics and conduct
Direction and guidance on professional conduct standards that promote adherence to department and NSW public sector values. The Code of ethics and conduct is a framework that facilitates day-to-day ethical decision-making.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional and ethical standards
Publication date
01/11/2024
Title
Community language allowance scheme
Direction and guidance on the process and payment of the Community Language Allowance Scheme (CLAS) to suitably qualified employees who have a basic level of competence in Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN) or a language other than English (LOTE) and provide on-the-spot language assistance in the workplace.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Employee benefits and entitlements
Publication date
06/09/2024
Title
Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
Direction and guidance on the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent confirmation process. This confirmation is required to finalise an offer of employment for an identified role or scholarship.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
02/09/2024
D
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Data breach
Direction and guidance on how the department identifies, responds to and manages a data breach involving personal information and/or health information.
Title
Deferred salary scheme
Direction and guidance on the eligibility requirements and conditions of the Deferred salary scheme to allow staff to make an informed decision about whether to apply.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Employee benefits and entitlements
Publication date
06/09/2024
Title
Discrimination standards
Direction and guidance on the relevant processes, protections and legislation in place to prevent, recognise and respond to discrimination in schools and workplaces.
Title
Drugs and alcohol in the workplace
Direction and guidance on the fair and effective management of employees impaired by drugs and alcohol. Addresses the conduct as well as health and wellbeing concerns of employees affected by drugs and alcohol.
E
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Education support mobility and professional development
Direction and guidance on the mobility and professional development options available to education support staff.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
02/09/2024
Title
Education support staff recruitment
Direction and guidance on how to fill vacancies for education support and executive government sector employment related roles.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
02/09/2024
Title
Employee benefits and entitlements
Direction and guidance on accessing employee benefits and entitlements.
Document
typePolicy statement
Policy statement
-
Publication date
06/09/2024
Title
Employee leave
Direction and guidance on leave entitlements, the application and leave management processes.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Employee benefits and entitlements
Publication date
06/09/2024
Title
Employee performance and development
Direction and guidance for implementing the department’s performance and development requirements.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional learning, performance and accreditation
Publication date
30/08/2024
Title
Employment screening
Direction and guidance on the employment screening process. Screening ensures the suitability, integrity, and identity of employees, contractors and volunteers working for or with the department.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
24/03/2025
Title
Expectations for digital communication procedure
Direction and guidance on the department’s expectations on managing work-related communication and digital technologies outside of school operating hours. Limiting non-emergency communication intrusions sent to employees in their personal downtime helps protect against burnout and support a healthy work-life balance.
G
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Gender affirmation procedures
Direction and guidance on supporting employees who decide to affirm their gender.
Title
Gifts, benefits and hospitality
Direction and guidance on the department’s expectations and obligations related to gifts, benefits and hospitality.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional and ethical standards
Publication date
10/03/2025
Title
Guidelines for the management of conduct and performance
Direction and guidance on the management of misconduct and unsatisfactory performance for department employees.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional and ethical standards
Publication date
29/08/2024
H
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Head teacher eligibility
Direction and guidance on the relevant academic qualifications teachers and head teachers must meet when applying for an advertised head teacher position in a high or central school.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
02/09/2024
I
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Induction and onboarding
Direction and guidance for principals and managers on providing consistent and supportive onboarding and induction experiences for staff, whatever the role or location.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
06/03/2025
L
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Leaving the department
Direction and guidance for employees leaving the department and their principals and managers.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Workforce planning and management
Publication date
13/03/2025
M
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Management of conduct and performance where there is an impairment procedures
Direction and guidance on the management of misconduct and unsatisfactory performance for department employees where there is an impairment.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional and ethical standards
Publication date
29/08/2024
Title
Mandatory training
Direction and guidance on prescribed training that all department employees must complete as part of the induction process and on an ongoing basis as required.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional learning, performance and accreditation
Publication date
31/01/2025
Title
Merit selection procedure
Direction and guidance for selection panel members and prospective applicants applying for teaching positions in NSW public schools.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
02/09/2024
N
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Non-school based teaching service (NSBTS)
Direction and guidance on the recruitment and management of teachers to Non-school based teaching service (NSBTS) positions.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
02/09/2024
O
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Our culture
Direction and guidance on the department’s plans, programs and initiatives.
Document
typePolicy statement
Policy statement
-
Publication date
05/09/2024
P
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Pay and benefits
Direction and guidance on the processes relating to employee pay, including pay cycles, tax, superannuation, accessing pay information, changing pay disbursement and bank details, salary packaging and other benefits.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Employee benefits and entitlements
Publication date
06/09/2024
Title
Positive workplace culture
Guidance and resources on creating and maintaining a respectful, engaged, and inclusive workplace culture.
Title
Privacy standards
Directions and guidance on how individuals can access and request amendments to their personal information. Outlines obligations regarding managing personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIPA) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIPA).
Title
Private and secondary employment
Directions and guidance for employees about private and secondary employment.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Employee benefits and entitlements
Publication date
04/11/2024
Title
Professional and ethical standards
Direction and guidance on standards of professional conduct that promote adherence to department and NSW public sector values. Guidance on day-to-day ethical decision-making, public interest disclosures, and the management of misconduct and unsatisfactory performance for department employees.
Document
typePolicy statement
Policy statement
-
Publication date
29/08/2024
Title
Professional learning, performance and accreditation
Direction and guidance on meeting professional learning, performance and accreditation requirements.
Document
typePolicy statement
Policy statement
-
Publication date
30/08/2024
Title
Public interest disclosures procedures
Directions and guidance on making and managing public interest disclosures (PIDs) – reports about suspected or possible serious wrongdoing in the public sector – and information about the protections provided to employees who report serious wrongdoing.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional and ethical standards
Publication date
29/08/2024
R
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Recognition and awards standards
Direction and guidance on recognising the outstanding service, efforts and accomplishments of department employees.
Title
Recruitment and onboarding
Direction and guidance on recruitment and onboarding requirements.
Document
typePolicy statement
Policy statement
-
Publication date
02/09/2024
Title
Responding to allegations against employees in the area of child protection
Direction and guidance for staff in relation to child protection including training, reporting on safety, and supporting children and young people, as well as monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional and ethical standards
Publication date
29/08/2024
Title
Rural and remote incentives
Direction and guidance on the department’s rural and remote benefits and incentives.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Employee benefits and entitlements
Publication date
19/03/2025
S
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Salary determination
Direction and guidance on the principles, methods and processes for determining the commencing salary for classroom teachers within the Standards Based Remuneration structure.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Employee benefits and entitlements
Publication date
22/11/2024
Title
School administrative and support staff merit selection
Direction and guidance for hiring managers, selection panel members and prospective applicants applying for school administrative and support staff (SASS) positions in NSW public schools.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
18/12/2024
Title
School administrative and support staff recruitment
Direction and guidance on recruiting and appointing school administrative and support staff (SASS) in NSW public schools.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
18/12/2024
Title
School administrative and support staff staffing entitlements
Guidance on the school administrative and support staff (SASS) entitlements for primary, secondary, central and community schools, intensive English centres, schools for specific purposes, distance education centres and education and training units in juvenile justice centres.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Workforce planning and management
Publication date
17/12/2024
Title
School counselling service professional practice framework
Direction and guidance for members of the school counselling service, who are required to be certified against the Professional Practice Framework and maintain this certification.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional learning, performance and accreditation
Publication date
30/08/2024
Title
School leadership development
Direction and guidance on the range of leadership development programs and resources the department offers. Excellence in school leadership is essential to achieving the best outcomes for students. The department is committed to fostering the development of school leadership skills at all career stages.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Professional learning, performance and accreditation
Publication date
30/08/2024
Title
Staff complaint procedures
Direction and guidance for employees in schools and education support offices about raising workplace concerns and addressing concerns about decisions, policies, procedures or processes. Additionally, these procedures guide employees in addressing the types of concerns not managed under these procedures and the support available to staff in raising and addressing workplace concerns.
Title
Staffing procedure
Directions and guidance on the principles, methods and process to be applied to recruit, promote or transfer members of the teaching service to positions in NSW public schools.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
02/09/2024
T
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Transferred officers’ compensation
Direction and guidance on determining teachers’ eligibility for compensation and the benefits available to eligible transferred officers.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Employee benefits and entitlements
Publication date
06/09/2024
Title
Transition to retirement
Direction and guidance for employees planning to retire and their managers. These procedures are to be used in conjunction with the Leaving the department procedure.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Workforce planning and management
Publication date
30/08/2024
U
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Use of contingent labour
Direction and guidance on the engagement of contingent labour (contractors) to undertake critical and high priority work that cannot be filled through other means.
Document
typePolicy procedure
Policy statement
Recruitment and onboarding
Publication date
04/11/2024
W
Title
Document type
Policy statement
Publication date
Title
Workforce diversity and inclusion standards
Direction and guidance on the relevant plans, processes, and initiatives in place to recognise, promote, increase and expand workforce diversity and inclusion across all department areas.
Title
Workforce planning and management
Direction and guidance on workforce planning and management processes.
Document
typePolicy statement
Policy statement
-
Publication date
30/08/2024
Title
Workplace adjustments procedure
Direction and guidance on processes and resources in place to request, implement and review workplace adjustments.
Title
Workplace sexual harassment prevention and response
Direction and guidance on the department’s commitment to ensuring that our workplaces are free from sexual harassment, where everyone is treated with courtesy, dignity and respect. These standards clarify what sexual harassment is, how it manifests in workplaces, what support is available, the process for dealing with it, and the role and obligation all workers play in preventing it. Note that sexual assault, which is a criminal offence, can also be considered a form of sexual harassment. Therefore, where this guidance refers to sexual harassment, the guidance also applies in the same way to a sexual assault. The department supports the right of all employees, volunteers and contractors who have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment and/or assault to raise their concerns, have their concerns addressed and to feel safe at work.