Child protection

TAFE NSW is committed to promoting the safety, welfare and well-being of children and young people (under 18 years of age). This includes students, apprentices or trainees in schools, colleges, workplaces or those doing programs conducted by TAFE NSW.

TAFE NSW employees are required by law to report children and young people suspected to be at risk of significant harm. This falls under the procedures of Keep Them Safe: A Shared Approach to Child Wellbeing, within the NSW Department of Human Services.

TAFE NSW is committed to providing a safe environment. We’re required by law to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and visitors on our premises.

To meet these legal obligations, we must assess and manage any known risk of violent behaviour.

If you have a history of violent behaviour that could pose a potential risk of any type to TAFE NSW students, staff and/or visitors, as a condition of your enrolment, you must advise your Head Teacher or a TAFE NSW Counsellor before starting your first class.

Violence is not restricted to physical acts. It includes any behaviour in the last ten years that interferes with the physical or psychological safety and wellbeing of others, such as:

• actual violence to any person
• possession of or use of a weapon or any item with the intent to cause harm or injury to others
• threats of violence or intimidation of others
• suspension or expulsion from any school or educational institution for violent or aggressive behaviour.

TAFE NSW is committed to offering vocational education and training to the entire community. Following your advice on any potential risks, we’ll carry out an assessment and if necessary, provide support and a management plan. Only in exceptional circumstances will a risk assessment lead to exclusion from enrolment. We aim to maximise your study success by providing an appropriate, safe environment to suit every student's needs.

If you have a history of violence and you do not disclose this information when enrolling, you are in breach of this legislation and TAFE NSW conditions of enrolment and your enrolment may be invalid.

Harassment includes any unwelcome behaviour that offends, humiliates or intimidates any other person. Harassment may be based on attributes such as race, sex, pregnancy, religion, marital status, sexual preference, disability, transgender status or age and it is against the law under the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act (1977).

Behaviour that may be acceptable in private, social or cultural settings among some groups may not be acceptable in a workplace or educational institution. Behaviour that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another. The person being harassed, not the harasser, decides whether they feel that harassment has occurred.

If you feel you’re being discriminated against or harassed, ask the person to stop and remind them that discrimination and harassment are not accepted at TAFE NSW. You can also seek advice and support from a TAFE NSW Counsellor, who will help if you need to make a complaint.

The behaviour may constitute a breach of the Student Conduct and Discipline Policy or be a criminal offence and will be dealt with promptly and effectively.

Harassment can take many forms:

• material that is racist, sexist, ageist, sexually explicit, anti-gay, anti-transgender and is displayed publicly, circulated or put in someone’s workspace or belongings, on a computer, via email or on the internet, including social media platforms
• verbal abuse or comments that put down or stereotype individuals or people generally, particularly jokes based on gender, race, marital status, homosexuality, disability, or age
• offensive gestures
• ignoring, isolating or segregating a person or group
• referring to a person who is transgender, by their previous name or gender
• staring at or leering in a sexual manner or sharing explicit material
• sexual or physical contact, such as grabbing, kissing or touching
• intrusive questions about sexual activity
• unwelcome ‘wolf-whistling’ or 'catcalling'
• repeated sexual invitations when the person has previously refused a similar invitation.

Harassment does not have to be an ongoing pattern of behaviour or number of incidents. Just one act can be enough to be harassment. Someone does not have to say “no” before any type of behaviour or action can be considered harassment. If you’re unsure whether your behaviour is offending or will offend someone, then that behaviour should stop immediately.

It is also against the law for anyone to victimise another where that person has:

• complained about harassment
• supported someone who complained about harassment.

Reach out to your teacher, a TAFE NSW counsellor or call 131 601 if you have any questions.