Information for places of learning

An exemption is available for places of learning, including early childhood centres, schools and further education organisations, to ensure students and staff with disability or healthcare needs can access single-use plastic items that they need.

Students and staff who require a banned item should access them from the administration office or area identified by the place of learning.

The following activities and organisations are not exempt from the ban and cannot supply banned items:

• Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) hosted on school premises or operated by a school
• Parents and Citizens’ (P&C) Associations
• Parents and Friends’ (P&F) Associations
• catering operations such as those operated at a boarding school or university
• external venues where related events are held, or related events are managed by a third-party.

Suppliers, distributors and wholesalers of banned items may continue to supply them to places of learning to support students and staff with disability or healthcare needs.

The Australian Retail Council (ARC) was engaged to work with businesses to ensure they understood the ban, how to comply, and options to manage excess stock.