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Craft sand products in schools

Advice for ACT public school families

Authorities have issued safety warnings about 2 brands of craft sand found to include traces of asbestos:

These products have been used in many ACT public schools.

While personal health risks are very low, under ACT work health and safety laws, any products containing asbestos must be removed by a licensed asbestos assessor.

This has required us to close some schools, or close off spaces in some schools, where the products are present.

All ACT public schools are now open to all student cohorts.

Call centre numbers

The Education Directorate feedback and complaints line is available 9:00am to 5:00pm weekdays – call 02 6205 5429. For all enquiries outside these hours please contact Access Canberra 13 22 81.

Our asbestos safety measures

Why did schools need to close?

  • Under ACT work health and safety laws, any products containing asbestos must be removed by a licensed asbestos assessor.
  • The use of craft sand is widespread in educational settings and was found at most of our schools.
  • Spaces and rooms where the craft sand was located needed to be closed off from access until the product could be safely removed and cleared for use by a licensed asbestos assessor.
  • In some schools this meant the closure of multiple rooms and learning spaces. This loss of available space for learning lead to the closure of some schools.
  • Sand products have now been safely removed and these schools have been cleared by a licensed assessor so all students can return.

What is the process for clearing schools?

  • When a contaminated sand product is found the area is isolated from use and the product contained. In some cases this may mean safely leaving the product in a cupboard, or could mean the closure of an entire room or learning space.
  • Licensed asbestos removalists and assessors are then engaged to attend the school.
  • Air monitoring tests are conducted to confirm there is no airborne asbestos. So far, all air monitoring tests done in our schools have returned negative results.
  • Contaminated products are safely removed and and spaces are cleaned.
  • The licensed asbestos assessor will then provide a clearance certificate confirming the spaces are safe to re-open.

Is contaminated sand still at some schools?

  • In many of our schools the sand products have been found in spaces that can be securely closed off (like cupboards and store rooms). These schools have been able to remain open.
  • These spaces will also need to be cleaned and cleared by a licensed asbestos assessor. This work is occurring outside school hours and on weekends to minimise disruption to learning.
  • It is possible schools will continue to find sand products they have in storage. When this happens, school staff will follow work health safety processes to isolate the product until it can be removed and cleared by a licensed assessor.

Out of hours access to schools

  • While the majority of our schools have returned to normal operations during the school day, after hours access to school facilities may be limited.
  • Many schools have isolated rooms and spaces where the recalled sand products are present. These spaces will be cleared by a licensed asbestos assessor before they can be used again. Much of this work will occur outside school hours and on weekends, which may impact community availability.
  • If you hire or use public school facilities outside school hours, please confirm your booking with the school.

Advice for Early Childhood Education and Care and non-government schools

  • The Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA), and Regulator for non-government schools, has provided advice to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and non-government schools about the management of both products.
  • Families are asked to seek advice from their ECEC or non-government school about arrangements in place for their specific location.

Child Care Subsidy Fee Waivers for OSHC providers

  • The Australian Department of Education has declared a Child Care Subsidy (CCS) period of emergency nationally, following the recall of contaminated sand products.
  • The CCS period of emergency applies from 12 to 21 November 2025.
  • During this period out of school hours care services may be able to claim CCS whilst closed (for enrolled hours during the period) and families may be able to access gap fee waivers and extra absences.
  • Information is available on the Department of Education website for impacted services, including CCS contact details. Providers at ACT public schools will need to include a copy of the correspondence you received from your school about the requirement for full/partial closure.
  • Recalled play sand due to asbestos risks: CCS period of emergency declared - Department of Education, Australian Government

Safe disposal at home

  • ACCC’s Product Safety advice will help you understand how to safely dispose of any recalled craft sand products. It also provides health information about these products.
  • Worksafe ACT’s safety advice provides step-by-step guidance on removing the product from your home or workplace.
  • If you have any craft sand products at home, do not bring them to school.

Health advice

  • On Friday 21 November 2025, enHealth issued updated health advice regarding the recall of imported coloured and decorative sand products.
  • Testing to date indicates that there is very low risk to human health from these products.
  • Regulatory authorities maintain a precautionary approach and are advising people to stop using the products and dispose of them appropriately.
  • Workplace settings, including schools, are advised to follow the advice from their state or territory work, health and safety agency.