School Zone Program

All States operate a School Zone Program however, the conditions and speed limits vary from State to State.

It is important to be aware that school holidays vary from State to State so crossing borders can suddenly mean you are in a school zone.

NSW

As from Monday 16 July to Friday 21 September, most school zones are back in force.

The majority of school zones operate between:
8:00 am – 9:30 am and 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm on gazetted school days.

In NSW Motorists are required to drive at no more than 40 km/h through school zones.

Roads with direct school access points (including multi-lane and high speed roads) must have a 40 km/h school zone.

There are a small number of non-standard school zone times in New South Wales.

These zones are identified by red/orange school zone signs which indicate non-standard times. Signs at these schools display the times which apply.

40 km/h school speed zones operate across New South Wales at all school sites on gazetted school days.

The NSW gazetted school days are:

(Updated July 2012)

Minimum fines and loss of demerit points for exceeding the 40km/h speed limit in an operating school zone.

(Updated January 2012)

see also School zone offences

Public Holidays are not considered school days.

Source RTA Fact Sheet (Note: Fines have not been updated on RTA website)

QLD

As from Monday 9 July - Friday 21 September, most school zones are back in force.

UPDATE:

The new school zone operating times for all schools in Queensland will be standardised to 7–9 am and 2–4 pm, unless specifically signed.
This will come into effect gradually in 2012 as signs are upgraded.

By 16 April 2012, all school zones across south-east Queensland will be upgraded to 7–9 am and 2–4 pm.

For areas outside south-east Queensland, the department is speaking with schools and local councils to determine the appropriate times for each local government jurisdiction.
By 9 July 2012 all schools outside south-east Queensland will have standardised school zones for their council area.

Please note: until a school zone has the new times signed, existing times and signage will be in force.

School zones at split campus schools

Split-campus schools often require children to cross a road to travel to classes during the school day.
Because students are required to cross the road throughout the day, not just before and after school,
'all day' school zones will be progressively installed at all split-campus schools in Queensland during 2012.

'All day' school zones will operate 7 am–4 pm on school days.
Flashing light school zone signs, that will flash all day, will be installed at each split-campus school.
The flashing light school zone signs will alert motorists of the operation of the all day school zone.

Speed limits which generally apply include:

• 40 kilometres per hour (km/h) in all areas where the existing limit is 50/60/70 km/h
• 60 km/h in all areas where the existing limit is 80 km/h
• 60 km/h or 80 km/h in areas where the speed limit is 90/100 km/h, depending on the amount of school related activity on or near the road
• 80 km/h on roadss where the existing limit is 110 km/h.

More information on school zone speed limits is available in the school environment safety guidelines (PDF**, 908KB).

Times of operation for school zones is generally between 7:30am – 9:30am and 2:00pm – 4:00pm on school days, but can vary.
These hours may vary in accordance with local requirements, taking account of peak times when students are entering and leaving school grounds.

Some, Extended, "all day" times of operation for school zones, generally within the hours of 7:30am – 4:00pm.

(Updated July 2012)

School Calendar (Qld department of education)