Australia's Attorney-General Issues Ban on Smart Glasses in Public Schools
Western Australia has taken a stringent stance against smart glasses (find out more), introducing a comprehensive ban on their use in all public schools from October 12th, 2026. This decision follows similar moves by councils in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne to prohibit the devices in public pools.
Smart Glasses: Cool But Not Welcome in Schools
As stated by Sabine Winton, Western Australia's education minister, smart glasses have no place in schools or classrooms. The ban is not just a policy statement but an official instruction from the department's director general, Jay Peckitt, to all public school principals in the state.
What the Instruction Covers:
- Wearing: Students and staff are prohibited from wearing smart glasses on school premises.
- Charging and Storing: The ban extends to using, charging, or storing the devices within the school or at any related events/activities.
- Access by Others: Parents, carers, visitors, and contractors are also forbidden from bringing smart glasses onto school grounds.
The instruction holds legal weight, issued under section 233 of the School Education Act 1999 and regulations 69 and 70, allowing principals to enforce the ban. Schools must publicly display the order.
Risks Identified:
The instruction outlines six primary risks associated with smart glasses:
- Privacy
- Child Safety and Wellbeing
- Unauthorised Recording
- Cyber Security
- Disruption to Teaching
- Examination and Assessment Integrity
Scope of the Ban:
While the ban addresses typical camera-related concerns, it also covers a wide range of smart glass functionalities, including audio recording, video, photography, AI, live streaming, internet connectivity, facial recognition, information retrieval, and communication.
Enforcement and Exceptions:
Principals can permit medical, accessibility, or assistive technology use cases for smart glasses and authorise educational programs independently. Violations by students are subject to the student behavior policy, while staff infractions fall under staff conduct and discipline. Visitors and contractors who refuse to remove the devices may be asked to leave.
Community Concerns:
Winton emphasized that the ban is a preventive measure, driven by growing community worries about careless, criminal, and malicious use of smart glasses, despite no reported incidents in WA schools. The Western Australia Principals Federation's Kya Graves confirmed that schools had been crafting their own policies due to a lack of departmental guidance.