Principal Class Career Structure
The Principal Class structure reflects the Department's commitment to excellence in educational leadership and management as a key factor in school improvement. Principal Class members have a significant responsibility in the delivery of a high quality school education to the community of Victoria, and to strategically manage people, financial and physical resources within a strong accountability framework. Members of the principal class have a crucial role in improving the quality of education in each school and ensuring that all students have access to high-quality comprehensive education appropriate to individual needs. As the senior member of the Department in the school community, the principal is responsible for the implementation of the Department's policies in a manner appropriate to the school, and the provision of advice to the Department on the views of the school community.
The principal class comprises the following classifications:
- principal
- assistant principal
- liaison principal
Appointment to principal class is tenured for up to five years (the period will be clearly specified at the time of the offer). To be employed in the Principal Class a person is required to enter a contract of employment that specifies core provisions such as classification and remuneration range. See the Contract of Employment topic available under 'Related Topics' below.
Classification and Work Value
Principal positions are classified within three classification levels with six remuneration ranges.
To be classified as a principal position the following three criteria must be met:
- responsibility for the delivery of a comprehensive curriculum
- responsibility to a community through governance of a school council
- responsibility for the management of financial and human resources.
The classification and remuneration range for each principal position is determined by the Department but shall not be less than the classification and remuneration range determined by the school's Student Resource Package excluding:
- Employer superannuation contributions
- WorkCover premium
- Commonwealth funds that cannot be anticipated to continue for more than two years
- Locally raised funds.
Where a school is host to another school such as a hub/annexe arrangement, or a facility such as an English language centre or deaf facility, the Student Resource Package for the host school includes funding for the other school or facility.
The classification levels are adjusted annually to take account of budget increases which do not add to the work value of a principal position (such as increases in the funded salary rate, utility and cleaning costs and general wage increases). For the four years 2008 to 2011 the adjustment will be 5 per cent as follows:
|
Classification |
Range |
Minimum School Budget |
|||
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
||
|
1 |
1 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
2 |
$703,473 |
$738,646 |
$775,579 |
$814,358 |
|
|
2 |
3 |
$1,219,352 |
$1,280,320 |
$1,344,336 |
$1,411,553 |
|
4 |
$2,845,159 |
$2,987,417 |
$3,136,788 |
$3,293,627 |
|
|
3 |
5 |
$7,081,627 |
$7,435,709 |
$7,807,494 |
$8,197,869 |
|
6 |
$12,762,816 |
$13,400,957 |
$14,071,005 |
$14,774,555 |
|
Assistant Principal
Assistant principal positions are classified within two classification levels with four remuneration ranges.
To be classified as assistant principal, a position should have primary responsibility for the management of significant areas or functions within the school. In exercising the responsibility, an assistant principal position should have the authority to make significant decisions relating to the program, budget and staff relating to their area of designated responsibility within the framework of the school's strategic plan, policies and budget. Assistant principal positions should contribute to the overall management of the school through involvement in policy formulation and decision making.
The principal, having regard to the nature of the duties to be performed and the funding available in the school determines the classification and remuneration range and number of assistant principal positions, if any.
Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities that can be expected of a principal class officer, are available by selecting the Roles and Responsibilities link under 'Related Topics' below.
Education Support Class | Teachers | Principal Class | Public Service
Other Resources
Related Topics