Digital Technologies – Responsible Use

Managing external access in online environments

To create a safer online environment, schools must limit student access to communication with individuals outside their school (external access), based on their ability to make safe choices online.

Schools must remove external access for primary school aged students and limit secondary students to only the essential needs of learning programs. The eSafety Commissioner separates its child-friendly guidance into kids (aged 5 to 12) and young people (12 to 18), reflecting their ability to make informed choices as they get older. Students at primary school are less able to discern malicious and unsafe behaviour online. Secondary school students are more likely to have a need to connect to individuals outside their school or department online environment in support of their studies and career planning.

Schools with department-managed online environments

External access for primary schools and primary students in Prep to Year 9 and Prep to Year 12 schools has been switched off for schools with department-managed online environments (both Microsoft 365 and Google Workplace for Education). Several commonly used sites that support teaching and learning in primary schools have been exempted from this block and students will continue to receive emails from them. For a list of these sites, refer to the external access email whitelist (PDF) (staff login required).

Schools who manage their own online environments

Schools who manage their own online environments through Microsoft 365 and Google Workplace for Education are required to switch off external access for primary students, including those in Prep to Year 9 and Prep to Year 12 schools.

The department has worked closely with both Google and Microsoft, and has provided instructions to specialist technicians on how to disable access and how to attest their compliance.

For support managing online access, please raise a service request via the Services Portal (staff login required).

School staff external access is not impacted by restrictions on student access.

Schools should be aware that in any online environment:

• staff uses of copyright-protected content must be within the limits of the educational copyright licences and exceptions and usually not visible to the public
• students’ everyday uses of copyright-protected content (under the fair dealing exception for private research and study) must not be visible to the public.