Records you can access
You can ask for the following records simply by verifying your identity. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request is not required.
Student records
You may request your own:
- enrolment records
- class photos
- student file – wellbeing, or academic achievement (may include results or reports)
- school reports
- corporal punishment record (created up to 1984).
The records available to you will depend on when you went to school, as recordkeeping requirements have changed over time. Enrolment records have always been required, and should be available.
Teacher and staff employment records
If you are a teacher looking for your own records please go to employment records for current or former teachers.
Teaching and staff records are usually only available to the person they are about.
Older teacher record books, which were created from 1863 to 1959, are now considered historical. They can be viewed at the Public Record Office Victoria.
Administrative school records
You can request access to administrative school records such as:
- school magazines and yearbooks
- school policies
- school photographs
- school annual reports
- school council records
- mothers club/parents club records
- school inspector report books.
Restricted records
Freedom of Information (FOI) laws give everyone the right to ask for access to information held by the department.
Some records may contain information about you, but also include information about other people. For these kinds of records, you may need to make an FOI request. Examples include:
- incident reports
- complaints
- correspondence
- records of meetings.
If a record includes someone else’s personal information, that part will be covered or removed before it is given to you.
You can submit an FOI request in writing or online. A fee usually applies.
Learn how to make a request at Freedom of Information requests: Department of Education.
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