Policy

All camp excursion documents (class lists, receipts, etc) must be retained for further information and audit purposes. (Refer DET's Our Policies System for Policy Guidelines for Excursions)

Before a camp commences approval to operate the activity must be obtained from:

  • the principal; and
  • the parents of all participating students.

All camp excursion documents (class lists, receipts, etc) must be retained for further information and audit purposes. (Refer DET's Our Policies System for Policy Guidelines for Excursions.)

Insurance arrangements

The government of Western Australian provides insurance for the DET, including schools and camp schools, through a managed fund called RiskCover, which is administered by the Insurance Commission of Western Australia.

The Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 1981, provides statutory benefits to the DET employees if an injury occurs while on a school camp. Benefits include weekly workers' compensation, medical expenses and rehabilitation assistance.

Indemnity is given for physical loss of, or damage to, property owned by employees and used in connection with their employment, so long as it is not otherwise insured. Money and jewellery are excluded.

As long as appropriate approval for camp is obtained, personal accident cover applies to voluntary workers, work experience participants and students attending camp where an overnight stay is involved. Compensation for medical expenses is limited to $10,000 per student. Compensation is also available for death, home tutorial expenses and funeral expenses.

Legal liability for negligence at School Camps

Duty of Care

The duty of teachers to care for the safety of their students is well established in law. School camps, for the purposes of insurance, are seen as an extension of the school site. Today, however, the standard of care has moved from that of a "reasonably careful parent" to that of a "reasonably careful teacher".

Teacher Liability

A teacher is bound by and complies with all administrative instructions that apply to him or her. In the case of an accident at camp, any special written camp rules, procedures and/or instructions from the DET, including those issued from the Camp School, will be taken into consideration in determining whether or not a teacher has been negligent.