Uniforms at school
Direction and guidance on determining and meeting school uniform requirements.
Audience
NSW public schools, parents and carers, and school communities.
| Version | Date | Description of changes | Approved by |
|---|---|---|---|
| V01.0.0 | 21/06/2024 | Under the 2023 policy and procedure review program, new policy document with consolidated instructions previously provided in School Uniform policy and School Uniform Policy Guidelines Checklist. Provides clarification in the language that a uniform must allow for the right of choice and gender expression and include the option of pants and shorts. There are no changes to overall intent of the policy. |
Executive Director, Inclusion and Wellbeing |
About the policy
Schools, in consultation with their communities including their local NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group , determine their uniform requirements.
Any decision about school uniforms must comply with the Work health and safety Act 2011 (NSW), Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) legislation.
These procedures relate to the Student health and wellbeing policy.
Principals:
- consult with students, school staff, parents and carers, and the school community when developing or reviewing the school’s uniform requirements
- approve, widely communicate, and fairly and equitably implement school uniform requirements after the consultation process has been completed
- oversee contract negotiations with school uniform suppliers.
Parents and carers:
- have the option to engage in the consultation process
- provide their child/children with a school uniform that meets the school’s requirements
- work with the school to develop fair and equitable processes to manage non-compliance with the uniform requirements, including logical and appropriate consequences.
Students:
- attend school and school-related activities in school uniform, unless directed otherwise.
What needs to be done
The department supports the wearing of school uniforms, which promote a sense of belonging for students and contribute to a positive identity for the school community. School uniforms also contribute to the personal safety of students by allowing for easier recognition of students, both at school and in the wider community.
To satisfy the department’s school uniform criteria, a uniform must:
- comply with Work health and safety Act 2011 (NSW) and Anti-discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) by identifying items necessary for particular activities to protect students from injury (for example, items for sun protection or safe footwear)
- be inclusive of students from diverse backgrounds and accommodate cultural and religious requirements
- be inclusive of students with disability (including students with specific sensory, physical or other needs)
- give students the choice to wear any of the agreed uniform options
- allow for the right of choice and gender expression, and include the option of pants and shorts
- ensure affordable, comfortable uniform options for students when engaged in a wide range of physical activities and suitable for various weather conditions
- be practical and provide all students with equal access to the full range of school activities.
1. Set school uniform requirements
Principals:
- plan, document, communicate and implement a consultation process when determining the school uniform
- ensure the uniform satisfies the school uniform criteria
- ensure the agreed school uniform is communicated clearly, and through multiple channels, to students and parents and carers
- document the school uniform, ensuring uniform clothing lists are categorised in non-gender specific terms.
2. Organise uniform shops and suppliers
Schools:
- have written agreements in place setting out the terms and conditions of any uniform shop or supplier arrangement
- comply with procurement requirements when the on-site uniform shop is operated by any party other than a parents and citizens association. Refer to the Sharing of school facilities policy for further information on uniform shops.
3. Provide support to meet uniform requirements
School staff should positively encourage students to wear the school uniform.
Principals:
- advise parents on how they can access financial support if they are unable to purchase uniform items. To assist families, schools should organise facilities such as clothing pools or offer student assistance
- refer to Manage student assistance (staff only) for further information on understanding student assistance in schools
- develop processes to grant short- or long-term modifications to, or reasonable adjustments or exemptions from, the school uniform on a case-by-case basis
- develop fair and equitable processes to manage non-compliance with the uniform requirements, including logical and appropriate consequences, noting that students cannot be suspended or expelled for not wearing school uniform
- refer to the department’s Student behaviour policy for guidance.
4. Review uniform requirements
Principals must review the school's uniform requirements at least every 5 years or as necessary.
When implementing a school uniform change, principals must:
- give parents and carers sufficient time to purchase items, providing up to 3 years’ notice to change more costly items
- give suppliers and retailers sufficient notice of the school uniform change.
Record-keeping requirements
Principals are responsible for maintaining documentation of the school's uniform requirements and consultation practices.
Functional Retention and Disposal Authority: FA387 (PDF 107 KB) – keep records on department and local policies at individual schools. Disposal action: Retain for a minimum of 5 years after superseded, then destroy.
Mandatory tools and templates
Supporting tools, resources and information
- Uniform shops may be operated by the school, a private operator or the school’s P&C Association. Uniform shops
- Sharing of school facilities policy
Policy contact
The Executive Director, Inclusion and Wellbeing monitors the implementation of this procedure, regularly reviews its contents to ensure relevance and accuracy, and updates it as needed.