{"id":1442,"date":"2026-01-20T16:23:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:23:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/?p=1442"},"modified":"2026-01-20T16:23:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:23:54","slug":"australia-bans-mobile-phones-in-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/australia-bans-mobile-phones-in-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia Bans Mobile Phones in Class"},"content":{"rendered":"<section\n  class=\"section section-flexible-content-block reveal active\"\n  data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n        <div class=\"content\">\n          <div class=\"content__centered\">\n            <div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">Australia Bans Mobile Phones in Class<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>In a move to improve learning outcomes and reduce distractions, during 2023 Australia announced a ban on the use of the use of mobile phones in classrooms, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Meanwhile, non-state schools were permitted the discretion to decide and implement their own policies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">Summary<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>All Australian states have implemented a ban on mobile phones in schools, except for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).<\/li>\n<li>The ban aims to improve learning outcomes and reduce distractions caused by mobile phone use in schools.<\/li>\n<li>The ban requires students to keep their phones away for the entire school day but allows them to bring them in for contacting parents or carers before or after school hours.<\/li>\n<li>Private schools in Australia have also implemented bans on mobile phone use to reduce distractions, tackle cyberbullying, and improve learning outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">How Australia\u2019s mobile phone ban happened<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>In 2020, Victoria was the first State to implement a school mobile phone ban. This was followed by Queensland in 2021, then in 2023 South Australia and New South Wales followed suit.<\/p>\n<p>The main purpose of this policy is to improve learning outcomes and reduce distractions caused by mobile phone use.<\/p>\n<p>The ban caused a range of reactions from parents, students, and schools. Parents have expressed their concerns about how it will affect their children\u2019s safety and ability to communicate with them in an emergency.<\/p>\n<p>However, a year on,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsw.gov.au\/media-releases\/mobile-phone-ban-improves-learning-concentration-and-socialisation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the results have been very positive<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>81% say students\u2019 learning has improved since mobile phones were banned<\/li>\n<li>87% of principals say students are less distracted in the classroom since mobile phones were banned<\/li>\n<li>86% of principals say socialising has improved since the mobile phone ban<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section id=\"no-id-set\" class=\"section section-image reveal active\" data-aos=\"fade-up\"\n  data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"section-image__parallax-content\">\n      <div class=\"row\">\n        <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n          <div class=\"section-image__text\">\n            <h2 class=\"text--white\"><\/h2>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"section-image__parallax-image lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-boilerplate\/assets\/img\/default-brand-image.png&#039;)\">\n      <div class=\"section-image__mask\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section\n  class=\"section section-flexible-content-block reveal active\"\n  data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n        <div class=\"content\">\n          <div class=\"content__centered\">\n            <div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">What are the rules, by State and Territory?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Western Australia:<\/strong>\u00a0Years K\u20136 in public schools may not have a phone in their possession, while Years 7\u201312 may, but it must be turned off and put away. Smart watches must be kept in flight mode at school.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Northern Territory:<\/strong>\u00a0Students from preschool to Year 6 in government schools may not have a phone in their possession. Years 7\u201312 may have a phone at school, but it must be turned off and stored securely. Smartwatches must be in flight mode.<\/p>\n<p><strong>South Australia:<\/strong>\u00a0Public school students must keep their mobile phones and other personal devices, such as smart watches, switched off and put away while they\u2019re at school. Each school has its own policy on how this works in practice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Queensland:<\/strong>\u00a0Public school students must keep mobile phones switched off and \u201caway for the day\u201d during school hours. Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, must have notifications switched off. Each school has its own policy on how this works.<\/p>\n<p><strong>New South Wales:<\/strong>\u00a0Student mobile phone use is banned in public primary and high schools. There are a variety of ways that schools can implement the ban locally.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Australian Capital Territory:<\/strong>\u00a0Students in Years P\u201310 may not use or access mobile phones or other personal communications devices during the school day or during school-authorised events. Students in Years 11 and 12 can have their phones but must put their devices away during class time.Tasmania: Students from Years K\u201312 must have their mobile phones switched off and stored during school hours. Each school has its own policy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Victoria:<\/strong>\u00a0Students must have phones switched off and securely stored during school hours. Each school has its own policy on how this works in practice. Wearable devices, tablets and other personal devices must have notifications turned off..<\/p>\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">How have Australian schools implemented the ban?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Each school has its own policy on how the ban is implemented, including where phones, smart watches and tablets are stored, as well as the consequences for non-compliance.<br \/>\nStudents can bring their phones to school for safety when traveling to and from school, and to be contacted before or after school.<\/p>\n<p>The ban in some schools is informal, whereas others have precise ways of ensuring the ban is implemented. Here at Phone Locker, we\u2019ve helped many schools across Australia \u2013 and the globe \u2013 with our innovative lockable phone pouch, which can only be accessed again using a magnetic unlocking station at school exits (<a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.com\/how-it-works\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">check out how it works<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>The lockable phone pouches:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Allows the student to keep hold of their property<\/li>\n<li>Avoids confrontations with \u201cconfiscation\u201d of phones<\/li>\n<li>Prevents cheating, and other unauthorised use<\/li>\n<li>Can have complete signal blocking ability<\/li>\n<li>Can be branded, and fit all phones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For any implementation of the Phone Locker pouches, we assist in the roll-out \u2013 and have everything from templates to write to parents, to FAQ guidelines for students.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get in touch to discuss your school for a no-obligation chat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">A year on, what have been the results on the ban?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>NSW have\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsw.gov.au\/media-releases\/mobile-phone-ban-improves-learning-concentration-and-socialisation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">announced findings<\/a>\u00a0from a year of implementation, saying the mobile phone ban has improved student learning, concentration, and encouraged young people to socialise more.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, experts are calling for a consistent nation-wide ban. Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg called for a national policy on the issue that includes private schools. He said;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would plead with Jason Clare to talk to principals who have done this (and consider) a consistent national ban. If you have a mobile phone ban in a school, you are going to get more social interaction, less distraction and better grades\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas said \u201cthe evidence is in\u201d \u2013 children are playing with each other and not on their phones and there has been \u201ca reduction in inappropriate behaviour\u201d.<br \/>\nSchool reporting data from the state indicates a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.premier.sa.gov.au\/media-releases\/news-archive\/mobile-phone-ban-shows-positive-change-in-schools2#:~:text=Department%20for%20Education%20incident%20reporting,the%20ban%20was%20in%20place.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">63% decline in \u201ccritical incidents involving social media\u201d<\/a>\u00a0in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2023 before the ban.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section id=\"no-id-set\" class=\"section section-image reveal active\" data-aos=\"fade-up\"\n  data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"section-image__parallax-content\">\n      <div class=\"row\">\n        <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n          <div class=\"section-image__text\">\n            <h2 class=\"text--white\"><\/h2>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"section-image__parallax-image lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/wp-content\/themes\/wp-boilerplate\/assets\/img\/default-brand-image.png&#039;)\">\n      <div class=\"section-image__mask\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section\n  class=\"section section-flexible-content-block reveal active\"\n  data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n        <div class=\"content\">\n          <div class=\"content__centered\">\n            <div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">Implementation in Queensland<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Implementation of the mobile phone ban in Queensland took effect in term one of 2021. The new ban enforced a blanket ban on mobile phone use in all Queensland state schools, while non-state schools will have the discretion to decide and implement their own policies. 95% of state schools in Queensland already had policies in place that prohibit the use of mobile phones during class times.<\/p>\n<p>A review conducted by former Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Cheryl Vardon recommended the ban on phones and certain wearable devices during school hours. This will require students to keep their phones away for the entire school day, but they can still bring them to contact parents or carers before or after school hours. Private schools have the discretion to decide and implement their own policies regarding mobile phone use.<\/p>\n<p>Like schools in other countries, many schools have taken the option to implement the lockable\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.com\/product-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phone Locker magnetic phone pouch<\/a>, where students can keep hold of their phones, but can only access it when allowed. This deals with the issues of storing mobile phones, and prevents it feeling like a punitive measure for students.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">Other States\u2019 Bans<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Building on the implementation of the mobile phone ban in Queensland, other Australian states have also implemented their own bans on phone use in public schools. Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and South Australia all adopted similar policies in 2020 and 2021 respectively. In 2023, South Australia and New South Wales also implemented bans.<\/p>\n<p>Parental concerns and opinions of the ban vary, but many acknowledge the potential impact on student behaviour of limiting phone use during school hours. Other countries, such as France, have implemented similar bans with varying effectiveness. Alternatives to banning phones, such as education on responsible use, were considered but ultimately deemed insufficient.<\/p>\n<p>Potential challenges in enforcing the ban, like student compliance and teacher monitoring, will need to be addressed. The ban in private schools, however, is left to the discretion of individual schools. Though the approach may differ from state to state, the goal is the same: to improve learning outcomes and student safety.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">What about private schools?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>While state schools in Australia have implemented blanket bans on mobile phone use, private schools have the discretion to decide and implement their own policies regarding mobile phone use.<\/p>\n<p>Some private schools, like SCEGGS Darlinghurst in Sydney, have implemented bans on mobile phone use with the intention of reducing distractions, tackling cyberbullying, and improving learning outcomes.<\/p>\n<p>Private schools may also consider the use of mobile phones for educational benefits under certain conditions. The enforcement of the policy may vary from school to school, as parental communication is encouraged to ensure successful implementation.<\/p>\n<p>Students may be able to use their phones for safety while travelling to and from school, or for emergency communication with parents. In addition, schools can approve exemptions in exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>Through this, private schools aim to improve student engagement and create a conducive learning environment, while still allowing for necessary student communication.<\/p>\n<p>The ban has had a significant impact on classroom dynamics. With phones off-limits, students must now focus on the task at hand, which can improve concentration and learning outcomes.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, teachers have the opportunity to create a more collaborative learning environment. Alternatives for communication are also available, such as school email systems or internal messaging apps.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">ACT Exemption<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Few Australian jurisdictions have implemented a ban on mobile phones as strictly as the other states. The ACT is the only one to not impose a blanket ban. Education Minister Yvette Berry has stated that there are no plans to introduce a ban in the territory. Instead, the ACT focuses on helping students understand appropriate behaviour both online and offline.<\/p>\n<p>The ACT may have alternative strategies to address distractions and inappropriate use of mobile phones in schools. Exemptions to the ban can be granted for health conditions, learning difficulties, language translation, or personal circumstances. Private schools also have the discretion to decide and implement their own policies regarding mobile phone use. This may include permitting personal device use in certain learning circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>The ACT\u2019s approach to mobile phone use in schools may differ from other states and territories. However, the overall goal remains the same: to reduce distractions and improve student learning outcomes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"container section-title-container\">\n<h3 class=\"section-title section-title-normal\"><span class=\"section-title-main\">Are there individual exemptions?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Individuals may be granted exemptions from the mobile phone ban in Australian schools in exceptional circumstances. Exemptions can be approved for health conditions, learning difficulties, language translation, or personal circumstances. Schools have the discretion to decide their own exemption process and may consider the use of mobile phones for educational purposes under certain conditions. However, smart watches, tablets, and other personal devices are also included in the ban.<\/p>\n<p>The detailed information on how and when exemptions may be granted is available from the school directly. In some cases, the school may also permit personal device use in certain learning circumstances. However, this is subject to individual school policies and must be approved by the school prior to use.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div id=\"test\"\n  class=\"section section-contact-us-block reveal active section--alt-color\"\n  data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n        <h2 class=\"text--center\">Volete un aiuto per creare spazi liberi dal telefono?<\/h2>\n        <p class=\"text--center\"><\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-12 d-flex justify-content-center\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/contact-us\/\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn--lg\">\n          Contattateci        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"section section-posts-panel-block reveal active section--alt-grey section-posts-panel-block__no-posts-found\"\n  data-section=\"related-articles\"\n   data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n\n            <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n        <h2 class=\"text--center\">Articoli correlati<\/h2>\n        <p class=\"text--center\">Date un'occhiata ai nostri articoli correlati qui sotto.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      \n      <!-- Section panels -->\n            <div class=\"container-slider-carousel\">\n        <ul class=\"slider-carousel slider-carousel-posts\">\n          \n                    <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n            <div class=\"posts-panel-block__no-posts-found-icon\"><\/div>\n            <p class=\"text--center\">No posts found.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n          \n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"slider-carousel__arrows slider-carousel-posts__arrows\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"slider-carousel__dots slider-carousel-posts__dots\"><\/div>\n  <\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1442"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1894,"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1442\/revisions\/1894"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testphonelocker.promcollection.ca\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}