education.vic.gov.au

School operations

Student Dress Code

Health and safety considerations

Sun protection

Schools:

  • with a uniform must ensure a sun protective hat is included, at least as an option, as part of the uniform
  • without a uniform must permit sun protective hats in their dress code.

Note: Schools should encourage students to wear a sun protective hat outside whenever UV levels reach 3 or higher. In Victoria UV levels are typically three and above from mid-August to the end of April.

Jewellery, cords, chinstraps and drawstrings

Jewellery, hat cords, chinstraps and drawstrings present risks of injury or strangulation, particularly:

  • when worn in the head and neck area
  • for primary students engaged in active outdoor play.

When developing a dress code, schools should consider:

  • the jewellery students are permitted to wear
  • selecting hats or other garments without:
    • cords
    • chinstraps, or
    • drawstrings
  • using safety cords designed to detach if caught.

School bags

Carrying school bags may pose risks of back pain or damage due to:

  • poor design or poorly fitting school bags
  • students carrying bags incorrectly
  • students carrying loads that are too heavy.

Schools should select school bags that:

Guidance chapter on health and safety considerations in a student dress code including sun protection, school bags, jewellery, cords, chinstraps and drawstrings

Reviewed 15 July 2024

Was this page helpful?