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 3 and above from mid-August to the end of April, refer to the Sun and UV Protection policy.

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
  • 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 must select school bags that minimise the risk of back injury to students. The Australian Physiotherapy Association and Chiropractors’ Association of Australia both provide advice about what type of school bag to select and how to use school bags safely.