“Corporal punishment” is defined as any deliberate action taken with the intention of causing physical pain or discomfort. In Victoria, the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) bans corporal punishment in both government and non-government schools.
Even where corporal punishment is allowed, teachers may administer it only if parents are aware that it is part of the schools’ discipline policy and they do not object to its use. Due to statutory regulations, corporal punishment is banned in all schools in the ACT, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. In jurisdictions where corporal punishment is allowed, it should be noted that any punishment administered by a teacher must not be unreasonable, excessive or for a bad motive.