Smartwatches in early childhood services

Authorised officers continue to observe educators wearing smartwatches while providing education and care to children. Approved providers and services are reminded that this is not permitted under the National Law unless an authorised exception is recorded.

Changes to the National Law in February 2026 restricted the use of digital devices in early childhood settings, prohibiting the use of personal devices and limiting devices that can be used to capture, store or transmit images of children. 

A personal device is a device that is owned by a person (not owned or supplied by an approved provider for education and care purposes) and is capable of capturing, storing or transmitting an image, for example, phones, smartwatches, cameras, tablet computers and hard drives. 

Smartwatches capable of capturing, storing or transmitting images must not be worn while working directly with children in a centre-based service.   

There is an existing requirement for services to have policies and procedures on the safe use of digital technologies and online environments. Services are encouraged to review and update these policies and procedures to ensure they reflect new requirements under the National Law. 

For further information, refer to ACECQA’s Information Sheet – Using digital devices in centre-based education and care services.