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

KIDS WORLD 30 YEAR OLD WOODEN PLAYGROUND MAINTENENCE
How a 30-year-old all-wood playground holds its maintenance to ensure it holds up year after year.
EXPOSED BOLT CAUSES DEEP GASH AND SCARRING INJURY
Family pushing ahead lawsuit against farm playground as child ends up with sizeable L shaped scar.
myles-tan-WNAO036c6FM-unsplash (1)
Guide to Playground safety: preventing common injuries and ensuring children's wellbeing.
Winning hackathon teams
Sydney and Perth schools tackle playground waste and cleanup with first prize in ANSTO’s hackathon
CHILDS TOE RIPPED OFF FROM MERRY GO ROUND
5-year-old Geraldton boy loses toe after freak accident on merry go round.
PLAYGROUND FIRE DESTRUCTION
Playground destroyed by fire in spring as officials investigate the possible arson.
DUMPING GROUND TRANSFORMED INTO PLAYGROUND
Dumping ground made into playground in less than a month
PLAYGROUND IN LESS WEALTHY AREAS
Families rejoice at school’s new playground amid fears for children's safety in violence plagued areas.
SIMPLISTIC DESIGNED PLAYGROUND
Remember when: A celebrated artist created one of the most creative playgrounds.
FIRE ARSON DESTROYS PLAYGROUND
Police suspect arson after suspicious fire destroys local playground.
EXPENSIVE PLAYGROUND BUT NO PARKING
Love the $10.8 million playground, but where are the parking spaces?
SPRAY PAINT VANDALISM
Spray paint vandalism trail left on playground and bike path.
THREE LEVEL SOCCER BALL STRUCTURE 2
The city of port Adelaide have announced the grant opening of new playground in Reserve.
GLOW IN THE DARK SPHERE USA
27 foot tall, all inclusive glowing sphere set to open in early November.
COP GOES DOWN SLIDE INJURY
Police officer injured after chaotically hurtling down children's slide.
RATS TAKE OVER PLAYGROUND SANITARY
Playground to be sanitised after large numbers of rats spotted in the area.
SPIKES
Toddler hurt by hidden spikes left deliberately on playground.
700K PLAYGROUND
Queensland’s second largest school builds $700k playground despite nearly all students learning from home
GLOW IN THE DARK PLAYGROUND
Country's first glow-in-the-dark playground under construction in Texas
Neglected playground
Playground Lies Neglected as Residents’ Complaints Fall On ‘Deaf Ears'
WHITE POWDER ON PLAYGROUND
Police test white powder found in playground
CHUTES AND LADDERS PLAYGROUND
Hundreds welcome ‘Chutes and Ladders’ playground to Harrisburg
playground in rough shape
Medina village officials say deserted playground is in rough shape
inclusive playground 2
Accessible playground at Port Macquarie school designed for all abilities
PRICEY PLAYGROUNDS
3.8-million-dollar playground finally approved by council vote 4-3
LOCKED PLAYGROUND
New fence around public playground causes huge debate in neighbourhood.
recycled playground sent to africa
Retired playground headed overseas to Africa and Europe
ACID ON PLAYGROUND SLIDE.png
2 children burned by stolen pool acid that was poured on slides.
graffiti on playground 3
‘I-Heart-Drugs’ and ‘Grave’ Graffiti signage left on playground.
VANDALISM ON PLAYGROUND 1
Cameras installed at construction site after vandals attack construction site and playground
POPULAR
Popular playground closed due to structural issues
BURNS FROM SLIDES SIGN
USA Fire department reminds parents of playground burns in the summertime
PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS
Playground replacement at F.H. Leslie Park to be expedited after ‘major’ safety concerns leads to closure of play structure
zahorianivka
Two children hospitalized due to explosion at playground in Kherson Oblast
Branching shade for playgrounds
How we can start Branching out the shade in local playgrounds
PLAYGROUND TO BE RELOCATED
School District asks to relocate playground rather than demolish it
ARSON PLAYGROUND
Playground reopens after arson
BLACK HISTORY PLAYGROUND
Douglass CC Playground Puts Focus on Black History, Contributions
WOODEN PLAYGROUND.JPG
City reviews safety and condition of 20 year old Playground

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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StandardsWatch is another easy way to keep Standards up-to-date, a subscription offered by Sai Global.

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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