EDUCATION AND TRAINING REFORM ACT 2006 - SECT 2.6.46 Findings and determinations of a formal hearing

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REFORM ACT 2006 - SECT 2.6.46

    (1)     After considering all the submissions made to a formal hearing into the conduct of a registered teacher the panel may make findings about whether or not—

S. 2.6.46(1)(a) amended by Nos 27/2010 s. 46(2), 73/2012 s. 109(1).

        (a)     the teacher has, whether by act or omission, engaged in misconduct or serious misconduct; or

        (b)     the teacher has, whether by act or omission, been seriously incompetent; or

        (c)     the teacher is, whether by act or omission, not fit to teach.

S. 2.6.46(2) amended by No. 14/2013 s. 16(1).

    (2)     If after considering the submissions made at a formal hearing the panel finds that—

        (a)     the teacher is seriously incompetent in his or her teaching practice; or

        (b)     the teacher is not fit to teach; or

S. 2.6.46(2)(c) amended by No. 27/2010 s. 46(3)(a).

        (c)     the teacher is guilty of misconduct or serious misconduct; or

        (d)     the teacher has contravened or failed to comply with any provision of this Chapter; or

        (e)     the teacher has contravened or failed to comply with any condition, limitation or restriction imposed on his or her registration; or

S. 2.6.46(2)(f) substituted by No. 31/2018 s. 28(1).

        (f)     the teacher—

              (i)     has been convicted or found guilty of a category B offence in Victoria or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction; and

              (ii)     is not fit to teach; or

        (g)     the registration of the teacher has been obtained by fraud or misrepresentation or concealment of facts—

the panel may make a determination to do one or more of the following—

S. 2.6.46(2)(h) substituted by No. 27/2010 s. 46(3)(b).

        (h)     impose conditions, limitations or restrictions on the registration of the teacher including a condition that the teacher—

              (i)     undergo counselling; or

              (ii)     undertake and complete specified further education or training within a specified period;

S. 2.6.46 (2)(ha) inserted by No. 27/2010 s. 46(3)(b).

        (ha)     caution the teacher;

S. 2.6.46 (2)(hb) inserted by No. 27/2010 s. 46(3)(b).

        (hb)     reprimand the teacher;

S. 2.6.46 (2)(hc) inserted by No. 27/2010 s. 46(3)(b), amended by No. 14/2013 s. 20(2).

        (hc)     refer the matter to a medical panel hearing, if the panel is of the opinion that the teacher's ability to practise as a teacher is seriously detrimentally affected or likely to be seriously detrimentally affected because of an impairment;

              (i)     suspend the registration of the teacher for the period and subject to the conditions, limitations and restrictions, if any, specified in the determination;

S. 2.6.46(2)(j) amended by No. 27/2010 s. 46(3)(c).

        (j)     cancel the registration of the teacher;

S. 2.6.46(2)(k) inserted by No. 27/2010 s. 46(3)(d), amended by No. 19/2014 s. 74(1).

        (k)     disqualify the teacher from applying for registration under Divisions 3, 3A and 4 within a specified period if the teacher's registration is cancelled by the panel.

S. 2.6.46(2AA) inserted by No. 31/2018 s. 28(2).

    (2AA)     If the panel makes a finding under subsection (2)(f), the panel must make a determination under subsection (2)(j) to cancel the registration of the teacher.

S. 2.6.46(2AB) inserted by No. 31/2018 s. 28(2).

    (2AB)     For the purposes of subsection (2)(f)(ii), the panel may decide that a teacher is fit to teach despite being convicted or found guilty of a category B offence in Victoria or an equivalent offence in another jurisdiction, if the panel is satisfied that a reasonable person would allow their child to have direct contact with the teacher.

S. 2.6.46(2A) inserted by No. 19/2014 s. 74(2).

    (2A)     If the teacher holds registration under more than one Division of this Part, the panel may make a determination under subsection (2)(h), (i) or (j) in relation to one or to both registrations.

S. 2.6.46(3) inserted by No. 14/2013 s. 16(2).

    (3)     In making a determination under subsection (2), the panel may take into consideration any finding of a medical panel to which the matter was referred under section 2.6.45A.

S. 2.6.46(4) inserted by No. 19/2014 s. 25.

    (4)     In addition to a determination made under subsection (2) the panel may determine—

        (a)     subject to subsection (5)—

              (i)     that it is not appropriate or in the public interest for any particulars relating to the hearing, including any determination made under subsection (2), to be recorded in the Register of Disciplinary Action in accordance with Division 13A; and

              (ii)     the extent to which, the manner in which and the period for which those particulars are recorded in the Register of Disciplinary Action; or

        (b)     that any information, which might enable the teacher who is the subject of a determination made under subsection (2) to be identified, must not be published or broadcast if the panel considers it necessary to do so to avoid prejudicing the administration of justice or for any other reason in the interests of justice.

S. 2.6.46(5) inserted by No. 19/2014 s. 25.

    (5)     In making a determination under subsection (4)(a), the panel must consider the circumstances of the determination made under subsection (2).

Pt 2.6 Div. 13 (Heading) substituted by No. 10/2021 s. 30.

Division 13—General provisions relating to investigations, hearings and determinations

S. 2.6.47 (Heading) amended by No. 10/2021 s. 31(1).

S. 2.6.47 amended by No. 10/2021 s. 31(2).