Victorian Labor has pledged to expand its proposed ban on smart glasses and covert filming devices beyond schools, kindergartens and childcare centres to a wider range of public and community facilities if re-elected at the November 28 state election.
The proposed next stage would cover swimming pools, change rooms, community sporting venues, hospitals, aged care facilities and services supporting victim-survivors of family violence.
Premier Ben Carroll said the move was aimed at protecting people’s privacy in places where they should be able to feel safe from being secretly recorded.
“We’re banning smart glasses in places you’d never want to be recorded,” Mr Carroll said.
“Smart glasses make it impossible to tell when somebody is filming you. The law needs to catch up. So we will ban them from places you’d never want to be recorded like playgrounds, swimming pools, and change rooms.”
He added: “Tech has changed, so must our laws.”
“Creeps shouldn’t be able to secretly film kids at Saturday sport.”
The announcement builds on the Victorian Government’s earlier decision to restrict smart glasses and covert filming devices in schools from the start of the 2027 school year.
Under the policy, taking effect from 27 January 2027, smart glasses and covert filming devices will be prohibited on Victorian government school premises and at school-organised activities, including off-site events.
The restrictions will cover students, staff, parents, carers, contractors, volunteers and other visitors at government schools. Student restrictions on personal electronic devices, including smart glasses, will also apply across government, Catholic and independent schools.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gabrielle Williams said the government was setting clear rules for every Victorian school.
“We’re setting clear rules across every Victorian school – making sure students can focus on learning, and families can feel confident their children are in a respectful and safe school environment,” Ms Williams said.
“Smart glasses have no place in our classrooms or on our school grounds.”
Labor has also pledged to extend the adult restrictions to non-government schools through legislation if it wins the election.
The latest commitment comes as councils across Victoria introduce or consider restrictions on smart glasses in public facilities.
The City of Yarra and the City of Melbourne are among councils that have taken steps to restrict the devices in recreation facilities, including pools and other community spaces.
The growing debate reflects concerns that camera-equipped glasses can resemble ordinary eyewear, making it difficult for people to know when they are being recorded.
However, the proposed restrictions also raise questions about accessibility, with smart glasses providing useful assistance to some people with vision or hearing impairments. Existing school rules allow limited exemptions where the technology is required as a reasonable disability adjustment.
Labor’s proposed expansion would make the regulation of smart glasses a broader privacy and public-safety issue beyond the school environment.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
