Mobile phone ban in schools Australia: what you need to know

Queensland is banning mobile phones in schools, bringing it into line with all other Australian jurisdictions except the ACT.

The new ban, which takes effect next year, will apply to all public schools, including smartwatches and device use during recess and lunch.

Queensland is the latest state to introduce such a policy, while the ACT is the only other Australian legislation not to impose a mobile ban on schools.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace announced the policy after meeting with education ministers from across the country.

Currently, 95 per cent of state schools across Queensland have ‘clear policies’ prohibiting the use of phones in class, but the new changes will lead to a blanket ban on their use.

For non-public schools, it remains for school leaders to decide on and enforce policies regarding the use of phones and other devices.

Earlier this year, Ms Grace appointed former Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Cheryl Vardon to conduct an inquiry into phone use policies in schools, and a report will be released next month.

“I met Ms Vardon and she made clear recommendations to ban phones and certain portable devices during school hours and for an education campaign for families,” said Ms Grace.

“From the first trimester, 2024, mobile phones should be ‘a day gone’ in all state schools in Queensland, building on the excellent work of our principals and school leaders to date.”

However, pupils are still allowed to bring phones to school to contact parents or carers before or after regular school hours.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace announced the policy after meeting education ministers from across the country

All Australian states and territories have imposed strict limits on mobile device use in schools, except the ACT (stock image pictured)

In 2020, the Victorian government became the first in the country to ban mobile phones for pupils in all public primary and secondary schools ‘to reduce distractions, tackle cyberbullying and improve learning outcomes’.

Western Australia and Tasmania also introduced legislation later that year banning the use of telephones in public schools.

From school year 1 2023, students in the Northern Territory will no longer be allowed to use mobile devices at school.

High school students are required to turn off and put away the devices during school hours, while their use is banned altogether in primary schools.

South Australian students lost their right to use their phones during school hours in March in a bid to “mitigate the negative impact of inappropriate use and reduce unnecessary distractions in classrooms to help both teachers and students focus on learning.” ‘.

In April, the newly elected NSW state government announced that it would ban mobile phones during school hours in all public high schools from the fourth semester.

The policy was a longstanding election pledge by Prime Minister Chris Minns.

Some private schools across the country have also followed suit, including the prestigious SCEGGS Darlinghurst girls’ school in Sydney in May 2022.

The ACT remains the only Australian jurisdiction that has not imposed strict rules on mobile phone use in schools.

In 2022, ACT education minister Yvette Berry said there were no plans to introduce a blanket ban on mobile devices.

“Helping students understand appropriate behavior, both online and offline, is part of every student’s learning journey,” she said.