Lessons for Victoria from the WA Smart Glasses ban

From 12 October 2026, students, teachers, parents, visitors and contractors have been prohibited from using or storing smart glasses on Western Australian public-school premises. Restrictions extend to any school organised event like sporting events and excursions too. Principals are responsible for implementing the ban. The direction responds to smart glasses becoming increasingly accessible, alongside growing community concern about:

• student and staff privacy;
• child safety and wellbeing;
• unauthorised recording, photography or dissemination of information;
• examination and assessment integrity;
• cybersecurity and information security; and
• disruption to teaching, learning and school operations.

Although the directions apply only to WA public schools, these provide a useful benchmark for all independent schools in responding to the surge in smart glasses use. Early policy development will prevent schools being caught off guard in case of an incident.

What do Victorian schools need to know ahead of Victoria’s Term 1 ban on smart devices?

In Victoria, restrictions will apply to all schools from 28 January 2027 on wearable devices, focused on personal devices like smartwatches and smart glasses. The Victorian Bill does not impose a direct statutory ban on students, instead, it will require schools to develop a policy restricting student use of personal electronic devices. A school without the required policy, or with an insufficiently compliant policy, will no longer be eligible for registration. Schools registered, or with a registration application pending, will have until 1 July 2027 to demonstrate compliance.

Victorian Government’s media release signals the following parameters may be required to be addressed in the policy:

• mobile phones must be switched off and stored away from the first to the final bell;
• wearable devices must have notifications, cellular connections and recording functions switched off; and
• personal audio devices must not be used during school hours.

Independent schools should monitor further announcements from the Victorian Government and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA), in starting to develop a policy.

Practical steps Victorian and other independent schools can take ahead of time

Independent schools should consider whether to adopt a consistent organisation-wide policy or a jurisdiction-specific Smart Devices Policy, and whether to amend existing policies relating to student images. Schools should also determine how any restrictions will apply across their relationships with students, teachers, visitors and contractors. Independent schools should assess whether:

• student enrolment contracts and related policies clearly address the use of smart devices and the recording or sharing of student images;  
• employment contracts and staff policies set clear expectations for employees;
• contractor agreements specify any applicable restrictions;
• expectations are communicated to visitors, including at school events, and
• existing consent, photography and student-image procedures operate consistently with any Smart Devices Policy.

Heads up about managing exceptions

Under the WA directive, Principals may grant exemptions for medical, accessibility or assistive technology purposes, or for educational programs they specifically authorise. Similar exceptions may be made in Victoria.

Three weeks into the WA ban, commentary on its implementation has highlighted how sensitive these exceptions can be. Smart glasses have attracted harsh and crude labels, such as “pervert glasses”, and disability organisations including Blind Citizens Australia have raised concerns about devices being characterised as “covert surveillance” and “disturbing”. This language risks stigmatising students who rely on the technology as an assistive tool, and shows the importance of ensuring exceptions do not become a hurdle for students with disabilities in line with schools’ obligations under their state’s equal opportunity / anti-discrimination legislation, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and child safe standards.

For Victorian independent schools, the early lessons are to manage any exceptions with extreme caution and to ensure students with an exception are appropriately monitored in classrooms, without being singled out. Schools should also consider correspondence early with their school communities in a way that avoids inflammatory language and demonstrates openness to discuss concerns regarding a policy, and to make reasonable adjustments where appropriate. This will assist in schools developing a positive relationship with the school community and decreasing liability for discrimination claims. Schools should be careful adopting blanket policies for all students, as these may increase risk of claims of indirect discrimination, where a blanket rule disproportionately impacts a certain group.

How we can help

Moores’ Privacy and Data Security team can support schools with forming and refining internal policies, reviewing enrolment frameworks to ensure compliance, support outgoing correspondence, and identify and minimise risk and liability. Refer to our Privacy Toolkit for Organisations for further guidance.

Contact us

Please contact us for more detailed and tailored help.

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^{Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. You should seek legal advice regarding the application of the law to you or your organisation.}