The safety of all students and staff in bushfire-prone areas is a critical concern for all schools across Victoria. To enhance Bushfire preparedness, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) has released the updated ‘Guidelines on Bushfire Preparedness—Registered Schools and School Boarding Premises’ for 2025 (the 2025 guidelines), including revised key requirements for schools listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). One of the most significant changes relates to on-site Shelter-In-Place buildings.
Key Changes to Bushfire Preparedness Guidelines
As part of the revised 2025 guidelines, all schools on the BARR, must maintain an on-site Shelter-In-Place and must now comply with strengthened assessment and compliance requirements. Specifically, Guideline 2.9 has been updated to state:
“Schools and school boarding premises listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register with an on-site ‘shelter-in-place’ must meet the applicable standards, as outlined in the relevant guidelines published by the Victorian Building Authority, commensurate to the school or school boarding premises’ categorisation of the Bushfire-At-Risk Register.”
To maintain compliance, schools must now provide:
Provide documentation that demonstrates that they have a completed assessment (and any subsequent schedule of remediation works) of any on-site shelter-in-place, against the Victorian Building Authority guidelines, ‘A guide to retrofitting certain existing Class 9 buildings for better protection from bushfire ember attack,’ within the last 5 years.
This marks a shift from previous requirements, which only made an arbitrary statement for Shelter-in-Place buildings stating that schools needed to ‘maintain documentation of compliance with applicable standards. The update ensures that Shelter-In-Place structures meet tangible and enforceable safety benchmarks outlined within the guide to retrofitting certain existing Class 9 buildings for better protection from bushfire ember attack.
Does my school required comply?
The Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR) lists all schools, including premises that have been identified as being at significant risk of bushfire. All schools listed on the BARR are required to demonstrate compliance with the new 2025 VBA Guide.
The list of schools on the BARR can be found here: https://www.vic.gov.au/bushfire-risk-register-barr?Redirect=1
It should be noted that the BARR is a separate list from the identified Bushfire Prone Areas overlay map. Some schools may not be impacted by the Bushfire Prone Areas overlay map but are listed on the BARR.
Shelter-In-Place Assessment and Compliance
For schools that are registered on the BARR, this means completing and documenting a thorough assessment against the VBA’s retrofitting guide. This assessment includes:
A site visit and detailed desktop review of the structure.
Evaluating the Shelter-In-Place building’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL).
Reviewing ember attack prevention measures, ensuring that structural elements align with the recommendations outlined in the VBA guide.
The VBA guide provides a range of retrofit solutions to mitigate ember attack risks, including sealing gaps greater than 2 mm, enclosing sub-floor spaces, and using non-combustible materials for external walls, vents, and roofing elements. Generally, the recommendations provided in the VBA guide work in conjunction with AS3959 but implement aspects that are more strict.
What This Means for Schools Moving Forward
The 2025 guidelines reinforce the importance of proactive bushfire preparedness in Victorian schools. By strengthening compliance with the VBA’s retrofit guide, schools are now better equipped to provide a safer refuge for students and staff in the event of a bushfire. The mandated five-year assessment cycle ensures that safety measures remain up to date and that any necessary upgrades are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
Schools and school boarding premises must act now to review their compliance status and prepare for upcoming assessments to meet these new standards. By doing so, they will not only fulfil regulatory obligations but also enhance the safety and resilience of their communities against bushfire threats.
Want to read more?
Explore additional resources and insights on bushfire preparedness and compliance requirements here:
Additional information regarding the 2025 VBA guide: https://www2.vrqa.vic.gov.au/your-school-bushfire-ready
Additional details about Shelter-in-Place buildings:https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/shelter-place-buildings/policy
BARR Policy:https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/bushfire-and-grassfire-preparedness/policy
Need help completing an assessment?
Agilus has extensive experience conducting these assessments and assisting schools with meeting regulatory requirements. Our team can provide comprehensive site evaluations, documentation, and guidance on necessary retrofitting measures to align with the Victorian Building Authority guidelines. By partnering with Agilus, schools can efficiently navigate the compliance process while enhancing their overall safety and resilience against bushfire threats.
