The Victorian Government has announced a ban on smart glasses and wearable devices in all Victorian schools – government, Catholic and independent.
From the start of the 2027 school year, students at all schools will be required to have personal electronic devices, including smart glasses, switched off and stored during school hours and during school activities.
For government schools, the ban will extend to adults such as teachers, parents and volunteers, who will be banned from wearing smart glasses and other covert filming devices on school grounds and during off site school organised activities, including on camps and excursions at all times – not just during school hours.
“We’re setting clear rules across every Victorian school – making sure students can focus on learning, and families can feel confident their children are in a respectful and safe school environment,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Gabrielle Williams.
“Smart glasses have no place in our classrooms or on school grounds.”
Victoria was the first jurisdiction to ban mobile phone use by students in government schools in 2020, with an independent evaluation finding the ban helped students focus on class and be more social during breaks.
Earlier this year, the Government announced that restrictions on mobile phones and other personal electronic devices will extend to students in all Victorian schools from term 1, 2027.
Exemptions to the ban for smart glasses are only available as a reasonable adjustment for people with disability when no other suitable adjustment can be provided.
