Form VL197 at a glance
What it is: Form VL197 is the Application for Special Leave (inc. Leave Without Pay), for all types of Special leave with and without pay including leave without pay for a full year.
Who signs: Add your Signature and the Date. By signing, you authorise all salary adjustments that may result from this leave application. You understand that you must obtain written approval from the CE or delegate by applying on the VL198 form before undertaking any employment whilst on this leave and that failure to do so may result in formal disciplinary action.
This form (VL197) is used by all staff including teachers, public servants and ancillary staff in the School sector, Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) for the applications of all types of paid and unpaid special leave as determined by individual special leave entitlements. This includes leave without pay for a whole year.
What to bring and attach to Form VL197
Securely attach any necessary details and documentation in relation to the type of leave sought, as required by departmental policy. If the required details / documents are not delivered attached to applications for special leave, requested leave will not be granted or processed.
A filled-in Form VL197 example: a teacher applies for leave without pay
How to fill out Form VL197, box by box
Section 1: Employee Details
In Section 1: Employee Details, enter the Pay Group, Person ID, Given Name(s), Family Name, Location, Location Number, Job Title, Classification, Fraction of time/ hours per week, Telephone and E-mail.
Section 2: Leave Details
In Section 2: Leave Details, enter the Type of Leave (see next page for details) and mark With pay or Without pay.
Enter the Period of Leave, the Total working days absent (eg. 1.0) and the Total working hours absent (hh:mm).
Under Relevant Details, provide full details for reasons of absence (If space is insuficient then please attach further detail). A speciic reason must be provided, 'Special Leave' will not be accepted.
Additional Details: Bereavement Leave and Leave to Move Residence
Additional Details are required for Bereavement Leave and Leave to Move Residence. For Bereavement Leave, enter the Relationship with Bereaved (the nature of the relationship with the bereaved). For Leave to Move Residence, enter the New address and Phone.
Sections 3 and 4: Supervising Officer and Delegate Approval
In Section 3: Recommendation - Supervising Officer, the supervising officer enters Please print name, Position, Signature and Date, to recommend approval of this application for leave and verify the applicant's work pattern details as correct and current.
In Section 4: Delegate Approval: Subject to Entitlement, the delegate enters Please print name, Position, Signature and Date.
If your situation is different
School sector teachers only
NOTE (for school sector teachers only): While you can indicate on this form the actual number of hours needed to be taken, on the DECD pay system and on your payslip it will be recorded as a full or half day. Where a teacher exhausts the 15 days Special Leave With Pay within a school year and can provide evidence that the recording of leave in full or half day blocks has disadvantaged them relative to the recording of leave in hours, a claim for additional leave can be made to the Superintendent of Site Human Resources.
Working while on approved leave
Under no circumstances can you work within DECD while you are on approved leave. If you wish to work outside DECD while on leave then you must apply for approval and receive written conirmation prior to commencing work. To apply please complete the form - Request to Work Outside DECD (VL198).
Common questions about Form VL197
Where do I file it?
Return the form to Payroll - Team 05 Shared Services SA, Courier R11/15 or DX 703, GPO Box 11026 Adelaide SA 5001, Ph: (08) 8462 1305 (Press 1), Fax: (08) 8124 9605.
Sources
[1] Form VL197 (Updated 01/15), Application for Special Leave (inc. Leave Without Pay), Department for Education and Child Development (the Official source link on this page).