NSW Government · 2026-11-08

Turning the page on screens in class as the Minns Labor Government ends ‘Bring Your Own Device’ requirements for public primary schools

The NSW Government announced on 8 November 2026 that NSW public primary schools will not be allowed to require students to bring their own laptop or tablet under a BYOD program from 2027. Public secondary-school BYOD programs will remain voluntary, and schools must provide alternatives for students who do not bring a device. The government also announced recommended screen-time limits from Term 1, 2027, with mandatory limits planned from 2028, and said most homework should be completed offline, with no screen-based homework before Year 5 unless an exception applies. Parents should wait for advice from their child’s public school before buying a device specifically for a school BYOD requirement and should ask the school what technology will be supplied or what alternatives are available.