Standards

Playground Equipment and Surfacing – Australia

Blog

Safety First: AS 4422 (Int):2022 Playground Surfacing and Its Interim Release
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Playgrounds that Embrace All Abilities: AS 1428.1:2021 and Its Impact on Inclusive Design
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AS 16630 (2021): A Game-Changer in Outdoor Fitness Equipment Standards
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The Latest Standard for Skateparks: AS EN 14974 (2021)
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Ensuring Safety and Fun: Australian Standards for Playground Equipment and Surfacing
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Enhancing Safety and Fun: AS 4685 Part 1-6 (2021) Update for Playground Equipment and Surfacing
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Why Is Compliance with Playground Standards Essential?
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News

BANNING CROCS ON THE PLAYGROUND
Why these New Zealand schools banned Crocs and jibbitz in the playground
Cozy-Cocoon-installed-at-Fayville-Playground-from-DPW-post-768x576
Fayville playground has a new structure to help over stimulated children relax
Corporation rejects modern playground proposal in dump yard despite locals agreeing to fund the project
Corporation rejects modern playground proposal in dump yard despite locals agreeing to fund the project
Parents horrified to find nails and screws protruding from child swing seats in a play park
Parents horrified to find nails and screws protruding from child swing seats in a play park
Locals rage as Aussie council tells kids to ‘consider their noise’ at playground
Locals rage as Aussie council tells kids to ‘consider their noise’ at playground
PLAYGROUND NEAR NUDE BEACH.jpg
Locals pushing back on proposed playground near popular clothing-optional beach
five-year-old struck by falling tree piece near playground is improving, but still badly injured
Five-year-old struck by falling tree piece near playground is improving, but still badly injured
50 Year Old ‘Black and chained monkey’ statues finally removed from park
50 Year Old ‘Black and chained monkey’ statues finally removed from park
playground goes up in flames for the 6th time
Beloved playground goes up in flames for the 6th time within half a year
City council faces decision on protected trees after child injured in a school playground
City council faces decision on chopping down protected trees after child injured in a school playground
Collingwood slammed as residents now say replacement playground ‘looks like a prison yard’ .jpg
Collingwood slammed as residents now say replacement playground ‘looks like a prison yard’
Emergency services help cut girl out of infant swing
Emergency services help cut girl out of infant swing
New Zealand’s next top model (park)?
New Zealand’s next top model (park)?
Residents on edge after swings burned at a Queens playground
Residents on edge after swings burned at a Queens playground
Remote school students enjoy beach-grade sand in new nature playground after delivery mix-up
Remote school students enjoy beach-grade sand in new nature playground after delivery mix-up
NATURE PLAY LEADS TO A+ GRADES
Study shows that nature play leads to A+ grades in students
Dog attacks three kids during recess after crawling under school fence
Dog attacks three kids during recess after crawling under school fence
PERTH PLAYGROUND FIRE
Firefighters contain blaze which engulfed playground in Perth’s east
deem the slide unsafe and deteriorated
Iconic Big Blue slide remove from playground after inspections deem the slide unsafe and deteriorated
PLAYGROUND DESIGN
City reveals public’s preferences for park designs
PLAYGROUND IMAGES
Why some playgrounds are in danger of disappearing within the next 5 years
Vandal’s target and destroy priceless children's playground
Vandal’s target and destroy priceless children's playground
Unintended student in wheelchair falls off playground while at school
Unintended student in wheelchair falls off playground while at school
Swastika found carved into playground equipment at suburban school
Swastika found carved into playground equipment at suburban school
A beloved piece of playground equipment, the jungle gym, turns 100 years old
A beloved piece of playground equipment, the jungle gym, turns 100 years old
Hanoi’s playground design based on traditional culture
Hanoi’s playground design based on traditional culture
Newest playground in Wagga set to feature over 120 artworks from local community groups
Newest playground in Wagga set to feature over 120 artworks from local community groups
Driver crashes into fence of children's playground after losing control in Sheffield car park
Driver crashes into fence of children's playground after losing control in Sheffield car park
KABOOM breaking down barriers by building playgrounds in low-income areas
KABOOM breaking down barriers by building playgrounds in low-income areas
boy stuck between playground poles
‘Nothing a hug can't fix’: firefighters rescue boy stuck between playground poles
Parents worry about slide safety as child falls 15 metres
Parents worry about slide safety as child falls 15 metres
West van dad voices concern over needles found in school playground
Dad voices concern over needles found in school playground
New playground gives more reasons to visit popular lake suburb
Why this new playground gives more reasons to visit popular lake suburb
Child hurt after car crashes through day-care playground
Child hurt after car crashes through day-care playground
Vandal’s target and destroy priceless children's playground
Termite-infested tree falls near families celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival in Woodland Playground
myles-tan-WNAO036c6FM-unsplash (1)
Playground safety given closer look as Wallingford-owned property scrutinized
Residents lament the loss of popular Venice Beach playground.jpg
Residents lament the loss of popular Venice Beach playground
Featuring log playground design that ‘triggers long-lost’ memories
Creative log playground design highly supported by community
NYC's first sustainable playground designed by students opens
NYC's first student-designed sustainable school playground opens
The top list of securely fenced playgrounds across Brisbane
The top list of securely fenced playgrounds across Brisbane

Australian Standards for Playground Equipment and Surfacing

The Australian Standards for Playground Equipment and Surfacing are an advisory set of guidelines that are not regulatory on their own, Standards are voluntary;

  • They are a national recommendation on minimum requirements for best practice
  • They are not mandatory for public and private play areas
  • Playgrounds provided by schools and childcare centres usually have to comply with policies under the State or Territory relevant Department of Education or equivalent
  • Although they are not mandatory. they may (highly likely) be referred to in court action against providers of play equipment
  • They cover specific guidelines on the design, installation, inspection and maintenance 
  • A playground owner has a duty of care to all users and visitors and a reasonable Standard of Care should be applied to the playground to prevent injury or loss.

There is no requirement for the public to comply with the Standards. However, State and Commonwealth Governments often refer to Australian Standards (AS) or joint Australian/New-Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) in their legislation.

When this happens, these Standards can become mandatory. In addition, AS are sometimes incorporated into legal documents, and considered as a ‘benchmark of acceptability’. 

 PSIA conducts its operations in accordance with the Australian Standard, ‘best practice; and Occupational Health and Safety Act. 

Current Standards

The below Standards can be purchased directly from Sai Global.

Standard Year Description
AS 4685.0 2017 Playground Equipment and Surfacing. Part 0: Development, installation, inspection, maintenance and operation.
AS 4685.1 2021 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods
AS 4685.2 2021 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 2: Additional safety requirements and test methos for swings
AS 4685.3 2021 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 3: Additional safety requirements and test method for slides
AS 4685.4 2021 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 4: Additional safety requirements and test method for cableways
AS 4685.5 2021 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 5: Additional safety requirements and test method for carousels
AS 4685.6 2021 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 6: Additional safety requirements and test method for rocking equipment
AS 4685.11 2014 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 11: Additional safety requirements and test method for spatial network
AS 4422 2022 (Int) Playground surfacing - Specifications, requirements and test method
AS 16630 2021 Permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment - Safety requirements and test methods
AS EN 14974 2021 Skateparks - Safety requirements and test methods
AS EN 16899 2020 Sports and recreational equipment - Parkour equipment - Safety requirements and test methods

Keeping Standards Up to Date

To maintain their currency, Standards are periodically reviewed and new editions are published. Between editions, amendments may be issued. Standards may also be withdrawn. It is important you ensure you are referring to the current Standards, which should include any amendments which may have been published since the Standard was purchased.

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Training Courses

Level 1-3 Comprehensive

Gain advanced skills in inspection and hazard identification to ensure the utmost safety for children at play.

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Level 1-2 Operational

Become proficient in the day-to-day operational aspects of playground safety. Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure playgrounds run smoothly and securely for children’s enjoyment.

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Level 1 Routine Visual

Become a certified inspector for conducting regular visual assessments of playgrounds. Learn essential skills to maintain safe and enjoyable play environments for children.

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