Version control: Original 1999/ Updated 2003/ Updated 2016/ Updated May 2025/ Updated Oct 2026
Introduction
Teachers must follow these Specific sport and physical activity guidelines together with the Sport and physical activity procedures and Supporting tools and resources to meet duty of care and manage risks effectively at the local level.
All teachers delivering sport and physical activity should be familiar with the Concussion information and protocols included in the Supporting tools and resources and have completed the School Sport Unit - Recognising and responding to concussion MyPL online course.
The guidelines support safe, inclusive and compliant sport delivery through:
- weekly school sport
- one-off events or gala days
- the Representative School Sport Pathway.
They outline compliance measures to address inherent risks, offer advice on modifying traditional rules and equipment to reduce risk, and provide guidance on adapting activities to support the inclusion of all students.
Key
The following key indicates the level of teacher qualification required to deliver a specific activity as part of a school sport program:
Note: This key does not determine the WHS risk level for an activity. It may inform local risk assessment as one component of the broader WHS risk management process, as outlined in the WHS Risk Management procedure.
Banned activitiesBanned activity (Black)
The following martial arts activities are not permitted in NSW public schools.
- Boxing and other one-on-one combat sports
- Sparring, bouts, fights, contests, competitive wrestling or submission-based activities where students attempt to defeat, strike, pin, submit or overcome another student
- Any activity that permits intentional strikes or kicks to the head, neck or face
- Breaking techniques, such as striking boards, bricks or similar objects
Note: Fitness programs involving boxing and combat sports, such as boxercise, are permitted. Martial arts activities in schools must be delivered as skill development, movement education or fitness activities, not as one-on-one combat sports.
Martial artsHigh risk (Red)
Martial arts activities have the following characteristics:
- focus on stance, balance, movement, coordination, discipline, self-control and controlled technique
- may include instruction in blocking, footwork, evasion, grappling, throws, take-downs, sweeps and striking skills, depending on the discipline and level of the activity
- may include limited, controlled partner contact, where required, to safely teach or practise an approved technique
- are delivered as non-contact or strictly limited-contact skill development, not as a combat sport, fight, bout, contest, competitive wrestling or submission activity
- exclude intentional contact to the head, neck, face, groin, throat, kneecap or joints, and exclude breaking techniques
- require students to be grouped and paired according to age, maturity, size, physical development and ability, with approved matting used where activities involve grappling, throws, take-downs or sweeps
- are delivered as a non-competitive program that prioritises skill development, self-control, fitness, confidence and full participation.
Teacher/instructor qualifications and experience
Teacher and instructor
The adult leading the martial arts activity must have appropriate expertise and experience for the program or activity being conducted and hold a recognised qualification relevant to the specific martial arts discipline and activity scope:
- Current coaching accreditation in the relevant martial arts discipline through a recognised sport organisation, including under the Australian Sports Commission’s National Coaching Accreditation Scheme, where available.
Permission
All students must have parent/carer permission to participate in martial arts.
See Permission page for more information.
Supervision
Supervision ratios must not exceed average class size. Where a non-teacher provides instruction, a teacher must be present for each class-sized group to take overall supervision responsibility and to hold duty of care.
Accompanying teachers must have completed the department’s mandatory Emergency Care training. At least one accompanying teacher must hold current department-approved CPR training.
Equipment
A first aid kit that meets the checklist in the First Aid Plan, as outlined in the department’s First aid procedure, is required.
Martial arts equipment
- Only martial arts approved matting should be used to surround the activity area.
- Mats must be regularly cleaned and maintained in a safe condition.
- Where activities involve grappling, throws, take-downs or sweeps, a shock-absorbing surface at least 50 mm thick must be used.
- Mats must be secured together and must not separate during the activity.
- Strike bags, pads or shields should be used where striking activities are included.
Personal safety
- Students must wear the specific clothing recommended for the martial arts discipline being undertaken.
- Protective equipment, such as mitts, forearm, foot and shin protectors, should be worn when practising striking and blocking techniques where accidental limb contact may occur.
- Correctly fitted mouthguards must be worn where contact may occur.
- Students must not wear clothing fitted with zips, buttons or similar hard objects.
Venues
An indoor venue is preferred, with sufficient space and matting for the number of students participating.
Activities must be conducted away from walls, seating, beams and other fixed objects or obstacles.
The activity surface must be smooth and even, as many skills are practised in bare feet.
All event areas and their immediate surrounds must be free of obstructions, loose objects and obstacles, including equipment, seating and school bags. The playing surface must be of a suitable and safe standard.
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Pre-activity venue checklists, available in Supporting tools and resources, may assist staff to inspect the venue before the activity.
Safety
Students must be made aware of the rules, safety procedures and potential danger areas relevant to the activity.
Students must not use prohibited moves.
Non-supervised practice must not occur.
Students must only use techniques that have been demonstrated, explained and approved by the teacher or instructor.
The number of students participating must be appropriate to the space available to reduce the risk of collisions during group practice.
The activity surface must be free from dust, dirt and other objects that could be carried on the feet.
For activities involving grappling, throws, take-downs or sweeps, activity must cease if participants move close to the edge of the mat and resume in the centre.
Maximum force must only be used with approved bags, pads, shields or strike targets.
Students must tape long fingernails and secure long hair where it is likely to impair vision or impede performance.
Students must remove jewellery and other ornaments likely to cause injury.
Students must not participate or continue to participate if injured. If a teacher or instructor suspects an injury, the student must be removed and must not return until fully healed or medically cleared.
If an injury involves bleeding, follow the department's Infection Control Procedures.
- Appendix B: Procedures for spills of blood and other body substances
- Appendix C: Procedures for contact with blood or body fluids
Where possible, ice should be available for the treatment of injuries.
Resources
Risk assessment support
*Disclaimer: In line with the NSW Government’s full disclaimer regarding links to external sites, links are provided with the intention of increasing the information available to you and do not imply that the department endorses those websites or the people or companies who own them. The NSW Department of Education has no control over linked websites, and is not responsible for the views, opinions, standards or information expressed on them.