Primary and secondary schools must have enough devices like laptops or tablets available by the end of 2026 to support their students’ learning. This is to meet the department’s mandatory device-to-student ratios under the Digital Strategy 2023 to 2026. Learn about the ratios and how the department supports schools to meet them.

How many devices schools need to have – device-to-student ratios

Devices include student laptops and tablets used for learning purposes. The department sets requirements for how many devices must be available to students depending on the year level. All schools must meet these device-to-student ratios by the end of 2026. The ratios are:

• For primary year levels: 1 device for every 3 students (1:3 device-to-student ratio) – this is an average across all primary year levels of the school.
• For secondary year levels: 1 device per student (1:1 device-to-student ratio).

Primary year levels: 1 device for every 3 students (on average)

Schools must have 1 device per 3 students in primary year levels by the end of 2026. The 1:3 ratio is an average across all primary year levels of the school. Some schools may already meet this ratio.

It’s up to each school to choose how they distribute devices across year levels. They may for example make more devices available to students in years 5 and 6 and fewer devices per student in reception to year 2. The average must be 1 device for every 3 students across reception to year 6.

Secondary year levels: 1 device per student

Schools must achieve a device ratio of 1 device per student in secondary year levels by the end of 2026. Some schools may already meet this ratio.

Schools will communicate with families what type of device children will need to support their learning and how devices will be made available.

Secondary students will generally take their device to school and home each day to support their learning.

School Device Program: access to devices and support for schools

Schools can access the department’s School Device Program portal for support with meeting device-to-student ratios.

Through the portal, schools can:

• purchase devices for staff and students
• invoice families for devices where applicable, except families on School Card who are eligible for access to a free device.
• provide families access to an online portal to purchase devices directly where applicable.

Information for families

Your school will communicate with you about what type of device your child will need to support their learning and how devices will be made available.

Contact your school if you have any questions about devices.

Access to free devices for eligible School Card families

By the end of 2026 all schools must provide eligible School Card students with a device at no cost to their family.

• Primary schools: This applies to School Card students in year levels where the school has decided every student should have their own device.
• Secondary schools: This applies to all School Card students.

Families cannot be required to pay for these devices however, schools may ask School Card families for a small voluntary contribution.