How to Issue a School Community Safety Order Against an Aggressive Parent

In recent years, Australian schools have faced a concerning rise in aggressive behaviour from parents, impacting teachers, principals, and students alike. Surveys indicate that more than half of school leaders—54.5 per cent—have been threatened with violence, often by parents and caregivers.59 In South Australia, incidents of verbal abuse or violence from parents in public schools surged 15 per cent from 2024 to 2025.60 This trend underscores the need for robust legal tools to safeguard school communities, with School Community Safety Orders emerging as a key mechanism, particularly in Victoria.

The Escalating Issue of Parental Aggression in K-12 Schools

Aggressive parent behaviour manifests in various forms, from verbal abuse and threats during parent-teacher meetings to disorderly conduct near school gates or online harassment via school social media pages. A national study in 2026 revealed that over half of public school principals experienced physical violence, verbal abuse, or gendered violence.61 In Victoria, teacher surveys show 24.5 per cent felt unsafe due to such interactions. These incidents not only disrupt learning but also contribute to staff burnout and shortages in the education sector, highlighting why principals must know their legal options.

For early childhood centres, TAFE institutions, and K-12 schools, the focus remains on creating safe environments. While not every confrontation warrants an order, repeated or severe aggression demands intervention to protect the school community.

What Are School Community Safety Orders?

School Community Safety Orders (SCSOs), part of Victoria's School Community Safety Order Scheme introduced in 2022, empower authorised persons in government, Catholic, and independent schools to restrict adults engaging in harmful, threatening, or abusive behaviour. These civil orders target parents, carers, or other adults (aged 18+ and not school staff or students) posing risks to school safety.97 They fill gaps left by trespass notices or personal safety intervention orders by covering off-site proximity (within 25 metres) and communications.

There are two types: Immediate SCSOs (up to 14 days, for imminent risks) and Ongoing SCSOs (up to 12 months). Orders ensure children's education continues uninterrupted, with protocols for parental involvement.98

Who Is Authorised to Issue a School Community Safety Order?

In Victorian schools, principals are automatically authorised under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. The Department Secretary or Deputy can authorise others, such as deputy principals. Non-government schools appoint equivalents. Training via eLearn modules is mandatory before issuing ongoing orders, ensuring decisions align with ministerial guidelines.96

Grounds for Issuing an Order Against an Aggressive Parent

Authorised persons must reasonably believe the adult poses an unacceptable risk of:

• Harm (physical, verbal abuse, threats) to school community members within 25 metres of grounds or activities.
• Significant disruption to school operations, like refusing to leave a classroom.
• Interference with student wellbeing, safety, or education, such as causing anxiety through unwanted contact.
• Disorderly, offensive, intimidating, or threatening conduct near schools.
• Vexatious or unreasonable communications about staff.

Cultural context matters in diverse Australian schools; orders consider vulnerability, least restrictive alternatives, and human rights.

Step-by-Step Guide to Issuing an Immediate SCSO

Immediate orders address urgent threats, like an aggressive parent yelling threats at drop-off. Here's the process:

1. Assess imminent risk: Confirm unacceptable immediate harm, disruption, or interference at school premises.
2. Issue verbally or in writing: Use provided scripts; prohibit entry/remaining for up to 14 days.
3. Serve the order: Deliver personally or via post/email; include reasons and review rights.
4. Document: Record in eduSafe Plus or manual form.
5. Prepare protocol: If parent of enrolled child, outline communication/access for education involvement.

Issuing an Ongoing SCSO: A Thorough Process

Ongoing orders suit persistent aggression, like repeated abusive emails. Steps include:

1. Gather evidence: Incidents, witnesses, patterns.
2. Issue notice of proposal: Notify the person, invite submissions within 14 days.
3. Consider responses: Weigh alternatives, child impacts.
4. Confirm and serve: Up to 12 months; restrict entry, proximity, contact, platforms.
5. Monitor and enforce: Breaches go to Magistrates' Court (fines up to 60 penalty units).

Real-World Examples of SCSOs in Action

Consider a parent posting harmful comments on the school Facebook page: an ongoing order could bar platform use. Or a neighbour swearing at students weekly near gates: prohibit approaching within 25 metres. Another: a carer refusing to leave a classroom, disrupting lessons—immediate order to exit premises. In the scheme's first two years (to 2024), 24 orders were issued, mostly for harm and disruption, proving effective as deterrents even when not formally used.99

Safety Orders Across Other Australian States

Victoria leads, but others follow. In NSW, the Education Amendment (School Community Safety) Bill 2026, introduced March 2026, allows principals to issue orders banning entry/25m proximity and school-channel contacts for abusive behaviour, including online. Breaches trigger Local Court Protection Orders with $5,500 fines.109

Queensland's Education (General Provisions) Act enables directions: oral (24 hours), written entry bans (up to 1 year), or QCAT orders for multi-school risks.110 South Australia extended barring orders to 6 months for threats/violence, with over half in 2025 for threats.100

Challenges and Lessons from the Statutory Review

The 2025 review found the scheme valuable but underused (24 orders) due to procedural complexity, workload, and weak enforcement.99 Recommendations include simplifying immediate orders and strengthening breaches. Schools report deterrence from warnings alone.

Best Practices for Protecting Teachers and Staff

Start with warnings using templates. Train staff via eLearn. Document everything. Collaborate with police for criminal acts. Support wellbeing through policies like Respectful Behaviours. For TAFE/early childhood, adapt similar procedures.

• Prioritise de-escalation.
• Use communication protocols.
• Seek regional/legal advice.

Future Outlook for School Safety Nationwide

With NSW's bill progressing and SA/QLD enhancements, expect harmonisation. Rising incidents demand confident use of tools like SCSOs to retain educators. Schools fostering respect benefit all.111

Photo by Eddie Wingertsahn on Unsplash