Victoria is set to become the first state in Australia to legislate restrictions on wearable technology in schools, as the state government moves to extend its long-standing mobile phone ban to all education sectors.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll announced new legislation that will apply to non-government schools, ensuring consistent rules across government, Catholic and independent settings from 28 January 2027.
The reforms build on Victoria’s 2020 ban on mobile phones in public school classrooms and will expand restrictions to include wearable devices such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds. The state will be the first in the nation to enshrine limits on wearable technology in legislation.
Under the proposed laws, mobile phones must be switched off and stored away from the first to the final bell. Wearable devices will be required to have notifications, cellular connectivity and recording functions disabled, while personal audio devices must not be used during school hours.
The government said the changes are designed to reduce classroom distraction and improve student wellbeing and safety. Wearable devices capable of capturing photos, video or audio have also raised concerns about privacy risks for students and staff.
An independent evaluation of the existing mobile phone ban in public schools found students were more focused in class and more socially engaged during breaks. Schools also reported fewer critical incidents involving phones.
By extending the policy statewide, the government aims to provide greater consistency for families and school communities, regardless of sector. It has committed to working with schools to ensure the restrictions are practical to implement.
Exemptions will apply for students who require devices to monitor health conditions.
“All students deserve the opportunity to learn without distraction,” Ms Allan said. “Less screen time. More learning time. For every Victorian student.”
Mr Carroll said the expansion of the policy reflected strong evidence from public schools. “The evidence shows it worked and now we’re going further, so every Victorian student, in every Victorian school, can put their phone away and focus on learning,” he said.
The move has been welcomed by the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, with CEO Professor Elizabeth Labone backing measures that enhance student engagement and learning.
Independent Schools Victoria chief executive Rachel Holthouse said the announcement recognised the need to strike a balance between technology access and student wellbeing.
“We welcome today’s announcement and acknowledge the government’s efforts to balance access to electronic devices with the need to support positive learning environments and student wellbeing,” she said.
“The announcement reinforces the work many Independent schools are already doing, with Independent school leaders regularly reviewing the role of technology in their classrooms and broader school environments.”
