Starting in Term 3 of 2025, school principals in Victoria will be given expanded authority to suspend or expel students for serious misbehaviour occurring off school grounds or online.
Previously, disciplinary actions were limited to incidents on school premises. The Victorian government announced the policy update, stating that students could now face suspension or expulsion if their actions outside school pose a significant risk to peers or staff.
The government said the change aligns Victoria with similar policies already in place in New South Wales and South Australia.
Education Minister Ben Carroll, who made the announcement on Wednesday, said the reform responds to a rise in assaults and cyberbullying, including harmful uses of AI-generated deepfake images.
“In Victoria, community safety is paramount,” Mr Carroll said. “These expanded powers make it clear that dangerous behaviour, even if it happens outside of school or online, will have consequences.”
He emphasized that ensuring the wellbeing of students and school staff remains a top priority and that the government is also investing in initiatives to promote respectful behaviour in schools.
Mr Carroll clarified that the use of these powers will be at the discretion of principals and are intended as a last resort.
“I’ve spoken with principals and families impacted by damaging online incidents,” he said. “Until now, principals lacked the authority to take meaningful action when such behaviour occurred off school grounds.”
