- Published:
- Wednesday 21 October 2026
Student safety is at the core of what we do.
As such, the Carroll Labor Government is extending Victoria’s mobile phone ban to include smart glasses and wearable devices in all Victorian schools – government, Catholic and independent.
From the start of the 2027 school year, students at all schools will be required to have personal electronic devices, including smart glasses, switched off and stored during school hours and during school activities.
For government schools, the ban will extend to adults such as teachers, parents and volunteers, who will be banned from wearing smart glasses and other covert filming devices on school grounds and during off site school organised activities, including on camps and excursions at all times - not just during school hours. This will also apply to government school students.
Victoria was the first jurisdiction to ban mobile phone use by students in government schools in 2020.
An independent evaluation found the ban helped students focus on class and be more social during breaks.
Schools also reported fewer incidents involving mobile phones.
Earlier this year, we announced that restrictions on mobile phones and other personal electronic devices will extend to students in all Victorian schools from term 1, 2027.
Exemptions to the ban for smart glasses are only available as a reasonable adjustment for people with disability when no other suitable adjustment can be provided.
We will work closely with schools to provide consistency and certainty for families, students and school communities in the rollout of these policies.
A re-elected Carroll Labor Government will extend the adult ban on smart glasses to non-government schools, which will be done through legislation. This will completely ban smart glasses for everyone in all schools.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Gabrielle Williams
“We’re setting clear rules across every Victorian school – making sure students can focus on learning, and families can feel confident their children are in a respectful and safe school environment.”
“Smart glasses have no place in our classrooms or on school grounds.”