Home > Welcome to the Educational Facilities Standards & Guidelines

Disclaimer:  

This website contains information relating to technical standards and design criteria for projects in delivery prior to 30 March 2023 and for projects that were signed to comply with EFSG 1.0.   

The information is available for department staff to use and is for reference only.   

We make no representations, warranties, or assurances as to the accuracy, currency or completeness of the content contained on this website or any sites linked to this site.   

Access to the EFSG 2.0 website available on the NSW Education site | Education Facilities Standards and Guidelines | Technical Standards 

 

Important Notice: Website Changes 

From November 2024, the technology used for the EFSG 1.0 website is scheduled for end-of-life. As a result, the word search bar in the top right-hand corner and the Contact Us form will no longer be available. The content and layout of the website will remain the same. 

 

What is changing for you?  

  • Faster load times. 
  • Removed word search feature. 
  • Removed Contact Us form.

 

Archive Disclaimer :

Please note that access to this site is temporary. It will be available for a limited time only.

This legacy EFSG website has been superseded by two new EFSG websites:  

Education Facilities and Standards Guidelines (EFSG): education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/efsg 

Technical Standards: education.nsw.gov.au/technical-standards

The new Education Facilities and Standards Guidelines and Technical Standards websites now feature a fresh look and feel, showcasing information on how and why schools are designed best to deliver teaching and learning.   

The websites provide new content communicating School Infrastructure NSW’s standardised design approach, supporting our industry partners to implement standard hub layouts in new and upgraded schools.  The websites are now mobile-responsive, making it easier for our delivery partners to access key technical information while attending site visits.   

Design guide and specification guide content has been simplified and merged according to Australian Standards numbering, helping our industry partners and other website users to locate targeted information to answer their questions about designing, building and maintaining schools.    

Industry partners will have access to the full range of technical and performance requirements, to support them when providing professional services on School Infrastructure NSW school projects.   

Welcome to the Educational Facilities Standards & Guidelines

WHAT IS THE EFSG?

EFSG is a suite of information to aid in the planning, design and use of NSW Department of Education school facilities. The information includes:

  • NSW Department of Education school types with content on educational principles, accommodation recommendations, design intent on rooms and spaces, relationships between accommodation components and associated technical data.
  • Technical Design Guide
  • Technical Specification Guide
  • Links to relevant industry design and specification information

 

WHAT IS THE EFSG 'NOT'?

The NSW Department of Education currently has in excess of 2200 schools across the state, many of which were in existence prior to the creation of the EFSG. The EFSG is not developed to be a minimum standard or an indication of entitlement. It should therefore not be used as a benchmark by which current schools are assessed.

WHO IS THE EFSG FOR?

The EFSG provides information to assist those responsible for or with an interest in, the management, planning, design, construction and maintenance of school facilities. Particular areas of the site are written with the most likely user in mind ie. the Design Guide and Specification Guide refer to and are written in a NATSPEC format, being the Industry Standard for specification in construction. The Design Intent for Rooms and Spaces, however are very much focused on Educators and School Management. The documents are designed to assist:

  • NSW Department of Education staff and in particular those involved in school planning and design.
  • School staff and in particular those interested in the rationale of school design, the design intent and pedagogical implications of the various spaces.
  • The school design team including project managers, architects, engineers and other specialist consultants involved in school planning and design.
  • Construction and maintenance contractors
  • The wider community with an interest in school planning and design.

While the EFSG documents provide matters for consideration and minimum standards for the elements of a building project, the materials and building practices detailed are not exhaustive. These documents are not intended to limit facilities planners and designers, in consultation with project stakeholders, from exercising creativity in providing alternative solutions within the available project budget.

To ensure that the EFSG remains current into the future the Department has implemented a continuous improvement process to regularly update the documents so as to reflect change and promote the latest best practice.  Users are encouraged to regularly check this website for updates.

 

The Educational Facilities Standards and Guidelines (EFSG) are intended to assist those responsible for the management, planning, design, construction and maintenance of new and refurbished school facilities.The following design guidelines should be referred to when designing schools, alongside the technical standards and guidelines which are available throughout this website.​​​​​​