Student Dress Code

Implementing and enforcing student dress codes

Communicating the dress code

The student dress code, including any changes in dress requirements must be:

• published on the school’s website
• communicated widely throughout the school community
• provided to all prospective students and parents/carers prior to enrolment at the school
• translated into community languages, if required
• communicated via a translator, if required, for example at an information night.

A full list of uniform items must be published on the school’s website. A link to the uniform supplier’s website can be included but is not a substitute for a list of items on the school’s website.

The uniform item list must clearly state which items are compulsory, which items are optional, and which items may be purchased from more than one supplier.

Important: Schools must ensure that students and parents/carers are aware that they can apply to the principal for an exemption to the dress code.

Support for families

Schools must investigate options for supporting families who may have difficulty meeting the cost of uniform items. For example, the provision of second-hand uniforms and class sets of uniforms. Refer to the Uniform branding and cost considerations chapter for further advice.

Schools must include information about financial support options or strategies for supporting parents/carers in these circumstances on their website, parent payments policy or in their dress code and ensure this information is communicated to the school community.

State Schools’ Relief also helps with school clothing and footwear. Principals assess requests and apply to State Schools’ Relief when they believe there is a need to support a student whose family is facing difficulty in providing the appropriate uniform items for schools. State Schools' Relief provides articles of clothing for students either directly to the family or through an authorisation to the school clothing shop or local supplier.

Enforcement

Schools may choose to include appropriate measures to enforce their dress code in their student engagement policy (staff login required). The department’s Student Engagement policy and guidance supports schools to create a positive school culture, clearly articulating school-wide expectations and consistent processes to address areas of concern. Best practice includes responses that are proportionate and predictable and not arbitrary. Where possible, enforcement measures must not reduce a student’s access to learning. Furthermore, enforcement measures must not include checks that might unduly embarrass or humiliate students.

Schools are advised to treat non-compliance with student dress codes like any other inappropriate behaviour using the school’s standard policies and processes to determine how inappropriate behaviours will be addressed and how students will be supported to demonstrate appropriate behaviour in the future. Overly punitive responses, or responses that negatively impact a student’s wellbeing, may limit attendance and contribute to poor outcomes for students already at risk. For example, excluding students from class or sending them home for infringements of the student dress code would be a disproportionate response in most circumstances as dress code infringements are not usually linked to interference with the rights of other students or the capacity of a teacher to teach a class. Exceptions to this might include issues of safety or where students are representing the school at external events. Refer to the Behaviour – Students policy.