About Us
Merit Protection Boards
Contact Merit Protection Boards:
Merit Protection Boards
Level 9, 35 Spring Street
Melbourne Vic 3000
Telephone: (03) 9651 0290
Fax: (03) 9651 0299
Email: meritboards@edumail.vic.gov.au
About Merit Protection Boards:
The Merit Protection Boards is an independent statutory body established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 to:
- advise the Minister and Secretary to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development about principles of merit and equity to be applied in the teaching service;
- hear reviews and appeals in relation to decisions made under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (except Part 2.4, Division 9A - Unsatisfactory performance and Division 10 - Misconduct), or any other Act;
- advise the Minister or the Secretary about any matter referred to them by the Minister or the Secretary relating to merit and equity in the teaching service; and
- hear reviews and appeals in relation to any decision prescribed by the regulations to be a decision in respect of which there is a right of review or appeal to a Merit Protection Board.
There are seven teaching service boards, each of which comprises a chairperson, a nominee of the Secretary and a teacher nominated by the Minister, most of whom are part-time members. The Senior Chairperson, Mr Peter Hibbins, and the Secretary's nominee, Mr Gavan Schwartz, are full-time members of the Board. Mr Rohan Jaremenko is the Acting Registrar and Mr Shaun Corbidge is the Assistant Registrar.
The Merit Protection Boards provide an independent mechanism to hear appeals and grievances for employees of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and associated education statutory authorities. Appeals and grievances include transfer and promotion, sexual harassment and discrimination, incapacity, grievances of a general personal nature and grievances in relation to police record checks. Appeals and grievances are heard in the metropolitan area and regional centres, as appropriate.
The Merit Protection Boards, through the hearing process, must ensure that all applicants receive fair and equitable treatment and that the principles of natural justice apply.
Access to the processes of the Merit Protection Boards is available to all employees in the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development including teachers, school-based non-teaching staff and public servants.
In addition the Merit Protection Boards run an extensive program of training in the principles of merit and equity for principals, teachers, education support class employees, allied health staff, nurses and public servants. These programs are offered in metropolitan and country locations.
The 2007-2008 Annual Report is contained in Appendix 5 of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2007-2008 Annual Report.
The 2008-2009 Annual Report is contained in Appendix 7 of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 2008-2009 Annual Report.
