New South Wales ends BYOD requirements for public primary schools

The New South Wales government has announced that bring your own device (BYOD) requirements will end for public primary schools starting in 2027. This policy change aims to relieve parents of the financial burden of purchasing expensive laptops or tablets for their children.

Premier Chris Minns stated that the decision follows research indicating that excessive screen time can distract students from learning. The government cited a Macquarie University report finding that 57 per cent of primary students and 84 per cent of high school students were distracted by screens during class.

In addition to ending BYOD in primary schools, the government will implement mandatory screen time guidelines in 2028. These guidelines recommend limiting screen use to an average of 15 minutes a day for Kindergarten to Year 2, and 45 minutes for Years 5 and 6. For secondary students, screen use will be limited to a quarter of weekly lesson time for Years 7 to 10, and half for Years 11 and 12, with exemptions for disability or essential subjects.

Public secondary schools will be reminded that BYOD programs are voluntary, and schools must provide off-screen learning options. While digital literacy remains part of the curriculum, students will use school-supplied technology only when it provides clear educational value.