Legal & Privacy

Statement of Commitment to Child Safe Standards

Child Safety Policy

One of our Strategic Goals is to “achieve strong financial results, environmental improvements and contribute to social development in our region.”

GOTAFE is committed to minimising our impact on environment and will continue to put in place measures to reduce our electricity usage, travel, waste, water and greenhouse gas emissions.

GOTAFE use animals for teaching purposes to train students in agricultural and animal care industry vocational practices. An obligation to respect animals underpins all activities.

GOTAFE’s Animal Ethics Committee ensures that all teaching activities involving the use of animals uphold the highest standards of animal care and complies with the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (8th Edition, 2013).

At our Wangaratta Regional Study Centre, Tone Rd, Wangaratta, we are grateful for the use of local horses for our equine teaching programs. We are committed to providing the highest level of care to all horses entrusted to us by their owners. Horses are checked daily including over weekends, and may be paddocked with light rugs during warmer months. The rugs provide horses with protection from the sunlight, insects and the heat.

Any enquiries can be addressed to the Animal Ethics Committee via email: animalethics@gotafe.vic.edu.au

GOTAFE seeks to maintain high levels of integrity and public trust and avoid conflicts of interest. A policy and procedure framework aligns to Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) guidelines, including for the management of the acceptance or provision of Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality.

GOTAFE documents that align to the VPSC’s ‘Gifts, benefits and hospitality Policy framework’ include:

• Conflict of Interest procedure
• Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality procedure

A Gifts, Benefits & Hospitality Register is maintained in accordance with the policy framework and the register can be viewed here.

In accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 (the Act), GOTAFE is committed to encouraging and facilitating the disclosure of improper conduct or corrupt behaviour by GOTAFE as an organisation or by its public officers, including employees, and to the prevention of detrimental action in reprisal for making such a disclosure.

The Act commenced operation on 10 February 2013 with key changes to the Act commencing on 1 January 2020.
Public interest disclosures are directed at the identification of corruption and dishonest or improper activity on the part of a public body or its officers, staff, directors or any other person acting on its behalf.

Public interest disclosures about GOTAFE, or its employees or other public officers, can be made to any of the following bodies under section 13(2) of the Act:

• Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC);
• the Victorian Ombudsman; or
• the Victorian Inspectorate.

The contact details for these bodies are set out in the Public Interest Disclosure Procedure

Australian society is defined, among other aspects, by a belief in elected Government, by a commitment to the rule of law, to equal rights for all before the law, and by a belief in freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of association. Our society is also tolerant of a range of religious, political, social and cultural beliefs and values in the context of the fundamental principle of our democracy.

As a registered training provider operating under the regulations of the Victorian Education and Training Reform Act, GOTAFE undertakes to deliver our programs and teaching in a manner that supports and promotes the principles and practice of Australian democracy.

This includes a commitment to:

• Elected government
• The rule of law
• Equal rights for all before the law
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of speech and association
• The values of openness and tolerance

GOTAFE is committed to operating in a manner consistent with these principles and to ensure that these principles are put into practice through appropriate inclusion in Institute policies and procedures.

The GOTAFE community is enriched by people of many backgrounds, age, race, ethnic and national heritage, physical and intellectual abilities and lifestyle choices. GOTAFE aims to treat all members of the community with dignity, courtesy and respect.

By creating a positive environment in which the welfare and needs of students is of paramount importance, GOTAFE seeks to enhance the learning experience and optimise outcomes for all students. In this way, GOTAFE aims to not only practice these principles but to imbed them in the learning process to contribute to their perpetuation.

Through the GOTAFE Behavioural Policy and Procedure, the Institute aims to:

• Foster an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying
• Promote appropriate standards of conduct at all times
• Implement education and awareness-raising strategies to ensure that everyone is made aware of their rights and responsibilities
• Encourage reporting of inappropriate behaviour and provide an effective procedure for resolving complaints in a sensitive, confidential, fair and timely manner
• Provide protection from victimisation
• Provide individuals access to information outlining how to best manage their health and safety
• Ensure the principles of natural justice are adhered to at all time

Statement of Adherence to Australian Democratic Principles

The Victorian Ombudsman takes complaints about Victorian state and local government departments and agencies (including TAFEs).

The Ombudsman is independent and impartial and provides a free service.

When you make a complaint to the Ombudsman about a government action or decision, the Ombudsman can look into it, tell you what occurred, and whether it was reasonable or unreasonable; she can also make recommendations to the government body about its conduct.

A complaint can be made to the Ombudsman via the following details:

Phone: (03) 9613 6222 or 1800 806 314 (Regional Only)

Website: www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au