What a Suspension Means
A suspension is a serious action and can only be authorised by the principal. It must follow a strict sequence designed to ensure fairness, accuracy, and disability-aware decision making.
Principal-Only Decision
Understanding Suspensions in Victorian Schools
This section introduces the legal foundation for suspensions, the decision-making process required under Ministerial Order 1125, and how this pathway supports families to navigate these moments safely and confidently.
Ministerial Order 1125
MO1125 outlines the legal steps a principal must follow before a student can be suspended — including investigation, review of adjustments, and consideration of alternatives.
What You’ll Learn Here
This page breaks down each required step in the suspension decision flow so families can identify whether the process was followed correctly and request clarification where needed.
Clear, Plain-Language Guidance
Suspension Compliance Check: Required Steps → Valid Decision
Under Ministerial Order 1125, a suspension is only valid when every mandatory step is completed. This section shows the key compliance indicators, what happens when the flow breaks, and the outcomes families can request or escalate.
Mandatory Compliance Checks
Decision Authority
Principal-Only Decision
Only the principal can legally suspend a student. Assistant principals or teachers cannot make or pre-announce the decision.
Adjustment Integrity
All Supports Reviewed
The principal must review all reasonable adjustments and verify they were implemented before considering suspension.
Investigation Quality
Context & Disability Considered
MO1125 requires a proper investigation, including context, disability impacts, and fairness before any disciplinary action.
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If Any Step Fails → Suspension May Be Unlawful
Non-Compliance Indicators & Family Outcomes
1
Missing Required Steps
Compliance Gap Identified
If adjustments were not applied, no investigation occurred, or alternatives weren’t considered, the suspension is at risk of being invalid.
2
Documentation Rights Activated
Parent Can Request All Records
Families can request incident reports, adjustment logs, Safety Plans, BSPs, and the principal’s suspension record.
3
Grounds for Challenge
Procedural Fairness Review
When mandatory steps are missing, families can request corrections or escalate through the school, SEIL, region, or DET complaints pathway.
4
Review Required
Immediate Meeting Needed
The principal must schedule a meeting to address missing steps, review adjustments, and correct the process before a decision can stand.
Compliance → Fairness Flow
Valid suspensions require complete documentation, adjustment review, and transparent investigation. Missing steps activate parent rights to review, challenge, and escalate safely.
When a school does not follow MO1125 correctly, the suspension may not meet legal requirements. Families can request documentation to clarify the process, ask for corrections, or escalate to the principal, SEIL, regional office, or the Department’s Complaints team. Clear documentation helps ensure the child’s rights are upheld and supports are appropriately reviewed before any disciplinary action.
What Parents Can Request
Victorian parents have the right to request documentation that supports clarity, fairness, and informed decision making. Schools must provide these records when requested, especially during or after a suspension process.
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Incident Reports
Parents may request the official incident report, witness statements, and any supporting notes that informed the school’s decision.
Adjustment Records
Families can access logs of reasonable adjustments, sensory supports, communication aids, and documentation showing what was trialled.
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Behaviour Support Plans
The current Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) and any earlier versions must be shared, including updates made after an incident.
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Safety / Risk Assessments
If behaviours pose risks, parents can request the school’s Safety Plan or Behaviour Risk Assessment, including review notes.
Communication Records
Emails, meeting notes, communication logs, phone call summaries, and SSG minutes can all be requested for clarity and accuracy.
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Principal’s Suspension Record
Under MO1125, the principal must complete a formal suspension record. Parents are entitled to request a copy.
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Supervision Logs
Where relevant, families may request yard duty logs, classroom supervision notes, or timetabling relating to an incident.
Investigation Summary
The principal’s investigation process — including steps taken, evidence reviewed, and contextual factors considered — can be requested in writing.
Helpful Tools for Parents
These tools provide calm, practical support during suspension processes. Each one helps you clarify what happened, document key details, or communicate safely with the school.
Suspension Response Kit
Step-by-step guidance for the first 24–48 hours after a suspension.
Download KitIncident Deconstruction Tool
Break down what actually happened and identify missing supports.
Open ToolEmail Templates
Clear wording for clarifications, support requests and escalations.
View TemplatesMeeting Preparation Checklist
Everything you need to stay organised and confident in meetings.
Open ChecklistDocumentation Log
Track incidents, adjustments and commitments from the school.
Open LogParent Rights in the Suspension Process
Under Ministerial Order 1125 and Victorian Department of Education policy, families have specific, enforceable rights during any suspension consideration. These rights support transparency, procedural fairness, and safe participation.
Right to Clear Information
Parents have the right to receive an accurate, written explanation of the incident, investigation steps, and any adjustments considered by the school before a suspension is decided.
Right to Adjustment Review
Schools must demonstrate that reasonable adjustments were implemented and monitored. Parents may request evidence that supports were in place at the time of the incident.
Right to Documentation
Parents are entitled to copies of the Behaviour Support Plan, risk assessments, incident report, and any minutes or notes used in the decision-making process.
Right to Participate in Decisions
Parents may request an urgent SSG or meeting before the suspension is finalised. Their participation is required under DET collaborative planning guidelines.
Timeline: What Happens Next
This step-by-step timeline shows what a Victorian government school must do before, during, and after a suspension is considered under Ministerial Order 1125. Each stage includes your parent participation rights and what documentation you can request.
1
Incident Investigation
The school investigates the incident and gathers factual information, including triggers, context, adult responses, and environmental factors.
2
Review of Adjustments
The principal must check whether all reasonable adjustments were in place (communication, sensory, instructional, behavioural) at the time. Lack of adjustments may make a suspension unlawful.
3
Consultation with Parents / SSG
The school should consult with you and the Student Support Group (if applicable). You may request this meeting before a decision is made.
4
Principal Decision (Only the Principal)
Only the principal can legally make a suspension decision — not an assistant principal or teacher. They must show evidence of all required steps.
5
Suspension Letter Issued
If the decision proceeds, the principal provides a written suspension notice with clear details, dates, reasons, adjustments reviewed, and reintegration requirements.
6
Return-to-School Meeting
A meeting must occur to review the incident, update plans, set strategies, and build a reintegration plan that supports safety and learning.
7
Follow-Up & Monitoring
The school must monitor adjustments and supports, review progress, and ensure the child is reintegrating safely and successfully.
Required Documentation Parents Can Request
Victorian parents are legally entitled to copies of all documents used to inform a suspension decision. These records help ensure the process is fair, accurate and compliant with Ministerial Order 1125 and Department of Education policy.
Incident Report
A factual description of the incident, including what occurred, where, who responded, and any witnessed details. Required before any disciplinary decision is made.
Behaviour Support Plan (BSP)
The current BSP and any recent updates. Schools must show how supports, strategies and adjustments were being implemented before the incident.
Risk Assessment
Required when behaviour involves safety concerns. This assessment must outline risks, preventative strategies and staff actions.
Record of Adjustments
A documented list of reasonable adjustments trialled, implemented, or reviewed before the suspension was considered. Lack of adjustments may invalidate the decision.
SSG / Meeting Notes
Notes, minutes or summary records from Student Support Group meetings or problem-solving meetings held before or after the incident.
Communication Records
Emails, letters or written communication relating to the incident, supports, adjustments or behaviour planning decisions.
Timeline of Events
You may request a timeline or provide your own. Regions and DET frequently require a clearly documented sequence of events when reviewing a concern.
Principal’s Suspension Record
The record the principal must complete under MO1125, showing investigation steps, adjustments reviewed, and the rationale for the decision.
When to Escalate Your Concern
If required documents are not provided, processes are unclear, or safety and inclusion concerns remain unresolved, parents may escalate through the Department’s official pathways. These steps mirror the Victorian Department of Education’s escalation structure.
1
School Level
Raise your concern with the teacher, Assistant Principal or Principal. Request the required documents in writing and ask for a meeting if needed.
2
SEIL (Senior Education Improvement Leader)
If the school cannot resolve the issue, you may contact the SEIL. They oversee the principal and ensure policy obligations have been met.
3
Regional Office
Regions address ongoing, serious or unresolved concerns including safety, disability adjustments, procedural fairness and behavioural planning.
Quick Email Templates
Use these short, policy-aligned emails to request documentation or clarify the suspension process.
Requesting Documents
Dear [Principal],
Could I please request copies of the incident report, Behaviour Support Plan,
risk assessment (if applicable), and evidence of adjustments reviewed as part
of the decision-making process?
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Requesting Clarification
Dear [Principal],
Could you please clarify which adjustments were reviewed and what investigation
steps were completed in line with Ministerial Order 1125?
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Requesting an SSG Meeting
Dear [Principal/Teacher],
I am requesting an SSG meeting to review supports, adjustments and wellbeing
planning following the recent incident.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Required Behaviour Support Before Suspension
Victorian government schools must follow formal behaviour support processes before a child is suspended or disciplined. These steps are required under the Student Engagement Policy, Students with Disability Policy, and Ministerial Order 1125.
Behaviour Support Plans (BSP)
A BSP is required when behaviour affects learning or safety. It must include triggers, supports, adjustments, strategies, risk factors, and clear responses.
Parents must be involved in developing or updating the BSP.
Safety / Behaviour Risk Assessments
Required for behaviours that pose a risk to the child or others. Schools must implement proactive risk-mitigation strategies, not just reactive responses.
Must be reviewed regularly or after any major incident.
Documented Adjustments
Schools must implement, track and document reasonable adjustments including: • environment changes • communication supports • sensory supports • workload/visual aids • modified instructions
Lack of adjustments makes a suspension decision unlawful.
What MUST Happen Before a Suspension Can Be Considered
1. Behaviour fully investigated
Ministerial Order 1125 requires principals to consider context, triggers, disability impacts, and what supports were in place at the time.
Ministerial Order 1125 requires principals to consider context, triggers, disability impacts, and what supports were in place at the time.
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2. All reasonable adjustments applied
Schools must show evidence of adjustments being implemented BEFORE a suspension is considered. This is a legal requirement for students with disability.
Schools must show evidence of adjustments being implemented BEFORE a suspension is considered. This is a legal requirement for students with disability.
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3. Consult with Student Support Group (SSG)
The school must consult with the SSG where applicable, and show attempts at collaborative planning.
The school must consult with the SSG where applicable, and show attempts at collaborative planning.
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4. Principal is the only decision-maker
No teacher or assistant principal can suspend a child. Only the principal — after completing all previous steps — may make this decision.
No teacher or assistant principal can suspend a child. Only the principal — after completing all previous steps — may make this decision.
Required Documentation
- Incident report with factual description
- Updated Behaviour Support Plan
- Risk assessment (if applicable)
- Evidence of adjustments attempted
- Consultation notes from SSG or parent meeting
- Student voice considered where possible
Suspension Letters & Return-to-School Meeting Requirements
Under Ministerial Order 1125, Victorian government schools must follow specific legal steps when a suspension occurs. This section explains what must be included in the suspension letter, your rights as a parent, and what schools must do at the return-to-school meeting.
What Must Be in a Suspension Letter
• Clear reason for the suspension • The exact dates and duration • How the behaviour was investigated • Why suspension was considered necessary • Evidence that reasonable adjustments were reviewed • Legislative basis (Ministerial Order 1125)
You may request corrections if information is inaccurate.
Your Rights When You Receive the Letter
• You may request all supporting documents • You can ask for a review meeting immediately • You can challenge factual inaccuracies • You may request an urgent SSG meeting • You can ask what adjustments were trialled
Parents are legally entitled to participate in the process.
When a Suspension Letter Is Not Valid
A letter is unlawful if: • It lacks the mandatory details • Adjustments were not attempted • The principal did not make the decision • Disability impacts were not considered • No investigation occurred
These issues may form grounds for escalation.
What Must Happen at the Return-to-School Meeting
1. Review the incident and what led to it
The school must give parents a clear factual explanation of what happened — not interpretations or opinions.
The school must give parents a clear factual explanation of what happened — not interpretations or opinions.
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2. Review all reasonable adjustments
Schools must show what adjustments were used and what needs to change. Lack of adjustments must be addressed immediately.
Schools must show what adjustments were used and what needs to change. Lack of adjustments must be addressed immediately.
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3. Update the Behaviour Support Plan (required)
Principals must update the BSP with new supports, strategies, and risk-prevention actions informed by the incident.
Principals must update the BSP with new supports, strategies, and risk-prevention actions informed by the incident.
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4. Create a Reintegration Plan
A reintegration plan must support a successful and safe return. It should outline step-by-step support for the first days and weeks back at school.
A reintegration plan must support a successful and safe return. It should outline step-by-step support for the first days and weeks back at school.
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5. Set review dates
Schools must monitor the child’s return and ensure adjustments are working.
Schools must monitor the child’s return and ensure adjustments are working.
Documents You Can Request
- A copy of the principal’s suspension record (required under MO1125)
- The incident report and witness statements
- Behaviour Support Plan (before & after incident)
- Risk assessment (if applicable)
- Notes from SSG or problem-solving meetings
- Records of adjustments that were attempted
- Classroom or yard duty supervision logs (if relevant)
Suspension Letters & Return-to-School Meeting Requirements
Under Ministerial Order 1125, Victorian government schools must follow specific legal steps when a suspension occurs. This section explains what must be included in the suspension letter, your rights as a parent, and what schools must do at the return-to-school meeting.
What Must Be in a Suspension Letter
• Clear reason for the suspension • The exact dates and duration • How the behaviour was investigated • Why suspension was considered necessary • Evidence that reasonable adjustments were reviewed • Legislative basis (Ministerial Order 1125)
You may request corrections if information is inaccurate.
Your Rights When You Receive the Letter
• You may request all supporting documents • You can ask for a review meeting immediately • You can challenge factual inaccuracies • You may request an urgent SSG meeting • You can ask what adjustments were trialled
Parents are legally entitled to participate in the process.
When a Suspension Letter Is Not Valid
A letter is unlawful if: • It lacks the mandatory details • Adjustments were not attempted • The principal did not make the decision • Disability impacts were not considered • No investigation occurred
These issues may form grounds for escalation.
What Must Happen at the Return-to-School Meeting
1. Review the incident and what led to it
The school must give parents a clear factual explanation of what happened — not interpretations or opinions.
The school must give parents a clear factual explanation of what happened — not interpretations or opinions.
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2. Review all reasonable adjustments
Schools must show what adjustments were used and what needs to change. Lack of adjustments must be addressed immediately.
Schools must show what adjustments were used and what needs to change. Lack of adjustments must be addressed immediately.
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3. Update the Behaviour Support Plan (required)
Principals must update the BSP with new supports, strategies, and risk-prevention actions informed by the incident.
Principals must update the BSP with new supports, strategies, and risk-prevention actions informed by the incident.
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4. Create a Reintegration Plan
A reintegration plan must support a successful and safe return. It should outline step-by-step support for the first days and weeks back at school.
A reintegration plan must support a successful and safe return. It should outline step-by-step support for the first days and weeks back at school.
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5. Set review dates
Schools must monitor the child’s return and ensure adjustments are working.
Schools must monitor the child’s return and ensure adjustments are working.
Documents You Can Request
- A copy of the principal’s suspension record (required under MO1125)
- The incident report and witness statements
- Behaviour Support Plan (before & after incident)
- Risk assessment (if applicable)
- Notes from SSG or problem-solving meetings
- Records of adjustments that were attempted
- Classroom or yard duty supervision logs (if relevant)