Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

Issues such as buildings and grounds, and essential services maintenance.

Playground equipment

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links

Do you need to comply?

Yes - if your school has playground equipment

Conditions of compliance

All playground equipment design and installation should conform to the following standards:

• AS/NZS 4486.1:1997
• AS 4685:2004 (including Parts 1 - 6)
• AS 2555:1982
• AS 1428 parts 1 - 4:1992
• AS/NZS 4422

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) provides the following advice to Government schools:

Only playground equipment items, which are in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards, may be erected in school grounds.

A full list of approved equipment items would be impractical, but for general guidance, the following have been approved:

• sandpits
• slides
• horizontal and vertical ladders
• horizontal bars
• gymnastic combinations
• jungle gymnasiums
• climbing nets and frames
• climbing ropes (fixed)
• track glides

The following items of playground equipment are not approved for use in schools:

• seesaws
• swings (including log swings)
• maypoles (including climbing poles)
• merry-go-rounds
• roundabouts
• flying foxes

All apparatus must be fixed unless specifically designed to be portable (eg A frames).

DEECD also provides advice for Government schools regarding footings, heights and soft-fall conditions.

Suppliers should provide written confirmation that the playground equipment and its installation meet the requirements of the Australian Standards.

All playground equipment should be inspected weekly and repairs and maintenance acted upon in accordance with the school's maintenance provision. Particular attention needs to be given to the undersurfacing beneath and around the playground equipment.

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

There is the possibility of legal action against the school in the event of an injury.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Peter Roberts
Director, School Services
Ph. 03 9825 7211
peter.roberts@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Independent Schools Victoria documents:

Click here to download (pdf) the Playground Equipment "vital signs" checklist from Willis Risk Management

Other links:

DEECD: Guidelines for School Playgounds (PDF)

DEECD: Victorian Government Schools Reference Guide Section 4.4.6.7 Student safety and risk management

Standards Australia

Playgrounds and Recreation Association of Victoria
tel. 8846 4111
fax. 8846 4110
email. info@prav.asn.au
www.prav.asn.au

Submitted 5/29/2006, edited 8/30/2007.