NOTE: We are currently in the process of updating and confirming compliance levels for each of the specification and design guidelines. For more details, click here
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Site structure
How can I find Related Resources?
Throughout the EFSG there are two types of related resources. Where related resources are relevant for a specific clause, these can be found at the bottom of the collapsible subsection. Resources related to the topic present on the page can be found under ‘My Favourites’ towards the top right of the page.
Related searches may also be useful for finding associated search terms and pages.
What does the Design Guide contain?
The Design Guide is a compilation of standards and guidelines that are required for the design of a school. It contains guidelines which exceed normal statutory requirements mentioned in the Building code of Australia (BCA) and Australian Standards (AS), which are deemed appropriate for School Design by the Department of Education and Communities.
The purpose of the Design Guide:
• To provide facilities planners with the hindsight and experience developed from completing similar educational projects to required standards and budget.
• To outline the general performance requirements of the various design elements that make up a school facility.
• To provide the minimum standards required of the technical components that make an element of school design. Sometimes the minimum standards will exceed the requirements of the regulatory standards.
What does the Specification Guide contain?
The purpose of the Specification Guide:
• To assist those responsible for the production of documentation required for the construction and maintenance of new and refurbished school facilities with the technical information on specific construction elements. The technical information is “deemed to satisfy” the Design Guide requirements.
• DoE policy is that the Specification Guide will complement the technical documentation in NATSPEC (the National Building Specification), by providing supplementary clauses specific for school projects
• The sections consist of DoE school specific and Department of Finance and Services policy requirements in the form of amended NATSPEC clauses, additional clauses or scheduling information complete with guide notes for use in school building specifications
What does the code mean on each page?
The EFSG consists of three main areas: the Design Guide (DG), Specification Guide (SG) and each unique School Type(PS, HS, SSP). Each section within each of these areas has its corresponding code proceeding the unique coding for that page.
Design Guide
Each section within the Design Guide has a two digit numeric coding. Ie. DG90 Site. Each section has a page of its own and subsections can be found within each of these pages. These subsections will resemble the corresponding Design Guide section coding followed by a two decimal point numeric coding to identify its unique subsection. I.e. DG90.01 Further subheadings may exist within these subsections where appropriate. I.e. 90.01.01
Specification Guide
The coding of the Specification Guide has been derived from the most current NATSPEC. Each section within the Design Guide has a two digit numeric coding. I.e.SG272. Each section has a page of its own with subheadings 1 General, 2 Products, 3 Execution and 4 Selection. Subsections can be found within subheadings beginning with the corresponding number of the subheading. I.e. 2.2 Asphaltic Concrete sits within 2 Products of SG272.
School Types
There are three different School Types in the current EFSG: Primary Schools (PS), Secondary Schools (HS) and Schools for Specific Purposes (SSP). However, there are three schools that are considered SSP schools. These are schools designed for students with intellectual and physical disabilities (IO/IS/P), schools designed for students with behavioural, conduct and emotional disorders (BD/CD/ED) and tutorial learning centres (TLC).
Key Learning & Support Areas
Each school type contains numerous Key Learning & Support Areas in which all Rooms & Spaces can be found. Each Learning & Support Unit has a three digit numeric coding which indicates the overarching purpose of the Unit. Ie. PS401Home Base Unit
All Learning & Support Unit within the:
400’s- are Learning Units
500’s- are Learning Resource Units
600’s- are Support Key Areas
Rooms & Spaces
Each Rooms & Spaces sits within its corresponding Unit and therefore, its coding will resemble that of its Unit followed by a two decimal point numeric coding to identify the unique Room & Space.ie. PS401.01. There may be multiple drawings on any one Rooms & Spaces detail page, each with a unique coding.
What information does a school type contain?
Each School Type contains:
General Education Principles – These principles describe foundational concepts to the aims and roles of educational environments. Forming the basis for the design intent described at a smaller room scale, these principles outline the ideal performance of educational facilities.
Site Relationships- Numerous bubble diagrams are able to demonstrate recommended adjacencies and important relationships between various areas within a school.
Educational facility developments should consider the relationships formed between key learning and support areas. These include a description of entries, important adjacencies and relationships between key areas.
Learning & Support Units- Each Learning & Support Unit is a collective unit in which all corresponding Rooms & Spaces can be found. Each Unit Detail Page has:
- A spatial and functional description of the Unit
- A possible bubble diagram describing important relationships and adjacencies with other Learning & Support Units
- A possible showcase gallery to illustrate existing examples of these Units or spaces within these areas
- A possible suggested colour scheme
Rooms & Spaces- Rooms & Spaces Detail Pages provide a more detailed description of each space with closer attention to the recommended educational and technical functionalities. Each Rooms & Space Detail page has:
- A spatial and functional description of the Room & Space
- A possible bubble diagram describing important relationships and adjacencies with other Rooms & Spaces within the Learning & Support Unit.
- A summary of the educational design intent and opportunities of the room & space
- A list of ratings against educational modes and group sizes
- A grid of technical data that is required to suit its functionality
- A list of suggested fixtures and furniture
- Sample Plans & Details
- Post Construction Reviews and Post Occupancy Evaluations
Technical Data Summary- The Technical Data Summary is a summary of all the technical data applicable to this school type, this section provides room data sorted by topic (e.g. a list of Lighting requirements for all spaces in this school).
What is the difference between a Learning & Support Unit and Rooms & Spaces?
A Learning / Support Unit describes a collection of individual spaces. These individual spaces are found in the Rooms & Spaces section.
What is the difference between the Schools for Specific Purposes?
Three types of Schools for Specific Purposes (SSP) are included in the EFSG. IO/IS/P is suited for students with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. BD/CD/ED is designed for students with behavioural/conduct disorders or emotional disturbances. Tutorial Learning Centres are designed for students requiring short-term intensive learning programs. They are typically additional spaces to existing schools or designed for remote locations.