Is your school bushfire ready?

The bushfire season has commenced. All schools and school boarding premises must ensure they are bushfire ready. This includes plans for off-site activities like camps and excursions. The risk of bushfire in the activity location must be considered. Weather conditions and bushfire ratings should be checked leading up to the activity and on the day of the activity.

There are important things you need to do comply with the bushfire preparedness guidelines. There are additional responsibilities if your school campuses or school boarding premises are on the Bushfire At-Risk Register.

New bushfire preparedness guidelines come into effect on 1 January 2025.

In response to school and stakeholder feedback, they make a single change to guideline 2.9 to clarify the requirements for schools and school boarding premises with an on-site shelter in place.

Download the current and new Guidelines on bushfire preparedness registered school and school boarding premises for more information.

Any new schools and school boarding premises opening in 2025 must comply with the new guidelines. Existing schools will have until 1 July 2025 to comply.