The EFSG is evolving to become a user-focused, searchable platform designed to simplify school design, align projects, and support better decisions—now and into the future.
Clearer standards, simpler searches, continual improvement
Image: Melonba High School
The Future of the EFSG
We are pleased to let you know there is a significant infrastructure standards reform program underway.
It seeks to improve the EFSG to provide clarity and consistency for our project requirements and support our goal of delivering quality, cost effective and equitable school infrastructure across NSW.
The “EFSG 2025” is the first part of this reform and delivers a more user-friendly website with a new layout and some updated content. In response to user feedback and our project needs, EFSG 2025 has been built to better support your work. We have made the information clearer, simplified the language, and grouped similar information together.
While a number of these changes have focussed on improving the user experience and removing ambiguity, we are also rolling out progressive content updates — with some available in EFSG 2025 and more to come in future releases.
Our team is hard at work re-writing and fine tuning the Technical Standards, transforming the EFSG into a living document that is more responsive, reflects best practice and captures lesson learnt. We will keep you updated on our progress and any further changes made to the content.
What's changing?
- A searchable, user-friendly platform so you can find what you need—fast.
- Combined documents into clear, downloadable PDFs.
- Integrated Pattern Book into the EFSG.
- A new four-part structure aligned to project phases.
- Simplified, consistent language with clearer compliance cues
- Ongoing updates to reflect best practice and lessons learned.
- Easy access to retired EFSG versions.
Consultation
SI have refined existing content and developed some new content for EFSG 2025, working closely with stakeholders for initial input. We are pleased to include some of that content in this current EFSG version and the draft designs are now at a point where they require review and testing.
We have also included additional new content “Design Topics in Development” (see below) which is also open for review and input.
SI has established two Working Groups, one focussed primarily on educational review and input and one on the development of SI’s technical standards.
Technical Standards Working Group
This working group is tasked with reviewing and endorsing proposals for any SI’s technical standards that are required for school facilities that exceed the National Construction Code. This working group is currently in place and will be on-going into perpetuity.
Educational Review Working Group
This working group is comprised of DELs and members of the PSSA and SPC, to participate in a number of SI Design facilitated consultations to commence in Term 3, 2025 and be on-going into perpetuity. The information to be reviewed will include general arrangement plans for all school types, room data sheets, furniture and all Pattern Book elements including balustrade heights, toilet configurations, hall designs etc.
This group will determine and provide feedback on:
1. What’s missing from the typology designs and Pattern Book elements
2. What is essential in the school design
3. What is flexibility in general arrangements
4. Pattern Book room data sheets; and
5. Pattern Book building components.
How are we making it happen?
Education and its school infrastructure are used, designed, delivered and maintained in a multi-stakeholder environment. Our reform program is comprehensive and includes:
- understanding our project needs.
- listening to user and industry feedback.
- auditing of the effectiveness of current and previous EFSG requirements.
- live testing on real projects.
- establishing formal feedback loops with DELs PPA, SPC, Asset, Planning and Delivery teams.
- Collaboration with subject matter experts.
How you can be a part of it
You will be invited to:
- Join a demo session tailored to your role or project phase.
- Explore the new website from 1 July.
- Send us your feedback as the content continues to grow.
This is a living resource—and your input keeps it relevant, clear, and practical.
Reach us any time at efsg-support@det.nsw.edu.au and register for a demo session.
Design Topics in Development
This section shares emerging content currently under review for future versions of the Educational Facilities Standards and Guidelines (EFSG). These topics respond to the real experiences of project teams, school leaders, consultants, and asset managers across NSW.
Each topic reflects feedback, project lessons, and evolving priorities—such as improving space planning, accessibility, sustainability, or clarity of technical requirements. All new content is reviewed through the Department’s Standards Governance process to ensure it meets the needs of schools and aligns with broader policy goals.
By making this work visible, we invite you to stay engaged. Whether you're working on a new build, planning a renewal, or navigating the EFSG day-to-day, your insights help shape practical, relevant standards that support teaching and learning.
As this content progresses, we’ll share updates and opportunities to get involved through consultation sessions, surveys, and school-led reviews.
The EFSG is a living standard—and your voice is part of how it grows.
To contribute or learn more, contact us at efsg-support@det.nsw.edu.au.
| Standard Under Review | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-school design brief | Provides requirements for the design of Department of Education pre-schools. The document must be read in conjunction with the EFSG as whole. |
| ICT Performance Standards | Provides Information and Communications Technology performance standards and requirements for schools. |
| Electronic Security Requirements | Defines the requirements for school electronic security. In future this document will be incorporated within the EFSG. |
| Site Selection | Criteria and requirements for the selection of school sites from EFSG v2.0. This document remains in place and in future will be harmonized with the current EFSG. |
| Master planning and Landscape | Draft for consultation. It consolidates past requirements from EFSG v2.0 and provides new content for consultation. |
| Urban Schools | Schools on urban sites have significantly different design considerations resulting from their different context and as they usually are designed on highly constrained site areas, they require a different approach to configuration, building footprints and open spaces. |
| Safety in Design | In EFSG v2.0 this was a stand-alone framework. The majority of the content is now located in Parts A-D and will be embedded within the current EFSG. For completeness, the V2.0 document is also included here. |
| Transport Planning | Draft Design Framework developed by the transport team. |
| Sustainability | In EFSG v2.0 this was a stand-alone framework. The majority of the content is now located in Parts A-D and will be embedded within the current EFSG. For completeness, the V2.0 document is also included here. |
| New playground equipment in schools | In EFSG v2.0 this was a stand-alone framework. The majority of the content is now located in Parts A-D and will be embedded within the current EFSG. For completeness, the V2.0 document is also included here. |
Coming Soon: EFSG 2026
make it a living document
As mentioned above EFSG 2025 is just the first part of our reform program. Our team is working to improve the quality and breadth of the standards and generate even more clarity and content. We are also actively seeking further input and feedback as content is progressed. Stay tuned for:
- Even more content in the Pattern Book
- Adding more Data Sheets including for specialist hubs and other spaces
- Establishing a formal annual update process
- Streamlining and updating content in Part D: Design and Technical Requirements