Australian injury guide
School and Childcare Injuries
Children can be injured without anyone being legally at fault. A careful review considers the activity, age, supervision, instructions, foreseeable risk, medical response and whether the institution is public or private.
Preserve the institutional record
Request the incident report and keep consent forms, excursion notices, activity instructions, risk information and communications with staff.
Record supervision and the activity
Note who was present, the student group, equipment, location, instructions and what happened immediately before and after the event.
Separate education, sport and premises questions
The relevant duty and respondent may differ for a classroom activity, outsourced sport, transport, playground equipment or a facility controlled by another organisation.
Consider public-body processes
A public school may engage government-claim rules that do not apply in the same way to a private provider. Obtain state-specific advice promptly.
Sources and scope
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority ↗
Sources checked 25 September 2026. General information only. Check current state or territory legislation, scheme guidance and individual advice before acting on a time limit.