Design Guide for Schools

Helping school communities and project teams achieve good design outcomes for schools and school environments

Children playing at Bellevue Hill Public School, Gadigal Country, designed by Group GSA. Credit: NSW Department of Education / Tyrone Branigan

Schools are more than just buildings. They are the heart of our communities, fostering learning, creativity, growth, and connection.

High-quality, well-designed schools foster a sense of pride and belonging in local communities, and support students’ health and wellbeing.

Updated Design Guide for Schools

We have updated the Design Guide for Schools (PDF, 7 MB) to incorporate the latest best practices for designing positive learning environments.

The guide:

offers practical advice on applying the design quality principles outlined in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021
provides design direction so that all schools are well-designed and champion excellent design outcomes
ensures schools are safe, inclusive, and adaptable to future needs
includes an increased focus on biodiversity, landscape, and Country.

Design verification statement

Architects of school developments must demonstrate how the Transport and Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP) design quality principles have been applied to the school's design. It is required for all school projects, including when submitting complying development certificates.

There's a template in the Design Guide for Schools (PDF, 7 MB) to help architects when preparing a design verification statement for a complying development certificate.

Students reading in the Hilltops Young High School Library, Wiradjuri Country/Young, NSW. Credit: Martin Mischkulnig

Design Guide for Schools

Helping project teams to plan and design school developments.

Read the guide (PDF, 7 MB)

Environmental Design in Schools

Engaging school communities to make sustainable interventions.

View the guide (PDF, 3.7 MB)