Victoria’s 2027 school phone ban: what Catholic and independent schools need to do
From 28 January 2027, every Victorian school must restrict student use of phones, smartwatches and earbuds during school hours. Here’s what the new law says, the key dates, and practical ways to roll it out.
What’s changing
Victorian government schools have restricted student phones since Term 1, 2020. The Education and Training Reform Amendment Bill 2026 extends this to Catholic and independent schools, and widens it from phones to other personal electronic devices, including smartwatches and earbuds.
The law doesn’t set one rule for every school. Instead, every school must have a policy that restricts student use of personal electronic devices during school hours, and schools without one won’t meet registration requirements. More detail is expected in a Ministerial Order, and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) may set minimum standards.
The government has indicated that, in practice, this is likely to mean phones are switched off and stored away from the first bell to the final bell, wearables have notifications, mobile connectivity and recording turned off, and personal audio devices aren’t used during school hours, with exceptions for students who need a device to monitor a health condition.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 18 June 2026 | Bill passed the Legislative Assembly |
| 28 July 2026 | Bill passed the Legislative Council |
| 28 January 2027 | The new requirement starts, in line with the 2027 school year |
| 1 July 2027 | Deadline for schools already registered (or with a pending application) to show they have a compliant policy |
Most schools will want their approach working from day one of Term 1, 2027, rather than mid year, so families hear one consistent message from the start.
Which devices are covered
| Device | Likely expectation |
|---|---|
| Mobile phones | Switched off and stored away from first to final bell |
| Smartwatches and other wearables | Notifications, mobile connectivity and recording turned off |
| Earbuds and personal headphones | Not used during school hours |
| Health monitoring devices | Exceptions expected for students who need them |
Check the final Ministerial Order and VRQA guidance once released. School supplied classroom equipment, such as headphones used for lessons and NAPLAN, is managed by the school and isn’t a personal device.
Ways to manage phones at school
“Switched off and away” only works if it’s easy to enforce consistently. Schools usually choose one of three approaches:
| Approach | How it works | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Off and in bags | Students keep phones switched off in their bag | Cheapest, but relies on every student and every teacher, every lesson |
| Lockers or front office collection | Phones are handed in and stored | Needs storage, staff time and queues at the start and end of the day; the school is responsible for stored phones |
| Lockable pouches | Students lock their phone in a pouch they keep with them; it opens only at an unlocking station or with a staff tool | Students keep their phone, no daily collection, one visible routine for every class |
PhoneLock is iArmour’s lockable pouch system: PhoneLock Secure pouches for students, PhoneLock Access pouches for approved health or accessibility arrangements, wall mounted unlocking stations at exits and release tools for nominated staff. There’s no app, charging or subscription, and pouches are one set price whatever the quantity.
Hotspotting, smartwatches and signal blocking
A phone that’s locked away can still share its internet connection or stay paired to a smartwatch. If that’s a problem at your school, choose the Signal Blocking version of PhoneLock, which has a Faraday lining that blocks calls, texts, mobile data, WiFi and Bluetooth while the phone is sealed inside. If you only need phones out of reach, the Non Signal Blocking version is the same pouch without the lining.
Many schools use both: Signal Blocking for older year levels and Non Signal Blocking where hotspotting isn’t an issue.
A rollout plan, working back from Term 1
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Term 4, 2026 | Decide your approach. Trial the PhoneLock Sample Pack with leadership and staff. Draft your policy, including exceptions for health and approved access. |
| Late Term 4 | Share the plan with families and students. Confirm numbers and order, allowing for new enrolments and spares. |
| January 2027 | Brief staff, install unlocking stations, nominate staff for release tools and prepare pouches for each class. |
| First week of Term 1 | Launch with a simple daily routine. Review after a few weeks and adjust where pouches are unlocked. |
| By 1 July 2027 | Make sure your written policy is finalised and meets registration requirements. |
- Plan one pouch per student, plus spares.
- Use PhoneLock Access pouches for students with approved arrangements.
- Place unlocking stations where students leave at the end of the day.
- Give release tools to a small number of nominated staff.
- Tell families early and explain how to contact students in an emergency through the office.
See PhoneLock pouches Request the sample pack
Questions
Does the Victorian phone ban apply to Catholic and independent schools?
Yes. From 28 January 2027, all Victorian schools must have a policy that restricts student use of personal electronic devices during school hours. Government schools have had a phone ban since 2020.
When do independent schools need to comply?
The requirement starts on 28 January 2027. Schools already registered, or with a pending registration application, have until 1 July 2027 to show they have a compliant policy.
Are smartwatches and earbuds included?
Yes. The new law covers personal electronic devices, including wearables such as smartwatches and personal audio devices such as earbuds.
Does the law say schools must use lockers or pouches?
No. Schools must have a policy restricting device use, but they choose how to manage it, for example lockers, front office collection or lockable pouches.
How much do PhoneLock pouches cost?
Pouches, unlocking stations and release tools are each one set price, whatever the quantity, and there’s no subscription. Current prices are shown on the PhoneLock page.
Sources
This guide summarises public information as at October 2026. It isn’t legal advice; check the latest guidance from the Victorian Government and VRQA for your school.
Try it before you roll it out
Request free samples of our cases and headphones, or the PhoneLock Sample Pack, or call us to talk through your rollout.