Balancing Privacy & Security with CCTV in Schools

How to Protect Students While Respecting Their Rights

Installing CCTV in a school is one of the most effective ways to improve safety — but it also raises important questions about privacy.
Parents, staff and students all want reassurance that surveillance is being used responsibly and ethically.

At Security Wholesalers Australia, we help schools strike the right balance between safety and privacy.
Here’s what you need to know.

Why Privacy Matters in Schools

Schools are not just workplaces — they’re also environments where young people learn, grow and develop.
Privacy concerns include:

Students feeling watched or uncomfortable
Misuse of footage
Recording in sensitive areas (e.g., bathrooms or changing rooms)
Lack of transparency about who can access footage

Good privacy practices protect your students’ dignity — and your school’s reputation.

Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) & Schools

✅ Under the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), schools that collect personal information (including images & video) must:

Clearly inform people they are being recorded (via signage).
Only collect footage that is necessary for security purposes.
Keep footage secure and only allow access to authorised personnel.
Not use or disclose footage for unrelated purposes without consent.
Retain footage only as long as needed, then delete or securely destroy it.

We can help you design a system — and a policy — that complies with the law.

Where NOT to Place Cameras

Cameras should never be installed in areas where students and staff have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as:
Toilets and changing rooms
Staff break rooms or private offices (unless security risk warrants)
Inside classrooms (unless justified and agreed)

Best Practices for Privacy-Friendly CCTV

✅ Inform & Educate: Use clear signage and send notices to staff and parents explaining the purpose of CCTV.
✅ Be Transparent: Have a written policy about where cameras are placed, how footage is used, and who can access it.
✅ Limit Access: Footage should only be accessed by authorised personnel, and only when required.
✅ Review Regularly: Periodically assess your system to ensure it still meets both security and privacy needs.
✅ Choose the Right Equipment: Modern cameras with AI can focus on detecting motion or intrusions without intrusive constant recording.

‍ Why Schools Trust Security Wholesalers

✅ We advise on placement and policy to protect privacy.
✅ We supply discreet, high-quality cameras that are effective yet unobtrusive.
✅ We know how to balance coverage with compliance.