CCTV Usage Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out how ___ [School/Organisation Name] ___ (“the School”) operates its Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system to enhance the safety and security of students, staff, visitors, and property, while respecting individuals’ privacy and complying with all relevant laws.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All CCTV equipment and systems owned and operated by the School.
All students, staff, visitors, contractors, and any other persons who enter the School grounds or facilities.
All areas of the School where CCTV cameras are installed.

3. Objectives

The objectives of using CCTV at the School are to:

Promote a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and visitors.
Deter and detect acts of vandalism, theft, violence, or other criminal or improper behaviour.
Support the School’s duty of care and supervision obligations.
Provide evidence to support internal investigations or law enforcement when required.

4. Camera Locations

CCTV cameras are installed in public and common areas where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, including but not limited to:

Main entrances and exits.
Reception areas.
Corridors, stairwells, and foyers.
Playgrounds and sports fields.
Car parks and drop-off zones.
Other outdoor or perimeter areas.

Cameras are not installed in private areas such as toilets, change rooms, staffrooms, or offices, in line with privacy laws and respect for personal dignity.

5. Notification

Signage notifying individuals of CCTV surveillance is prominently displayed at entrances and other key locations.
The School informs the school community about the use of CCTV through ___ [e.g., enrolment packs, newsletters, staff inductions, handbooks] ___.

6. Operation of the System

The CCTV system is operated and managed by ___ [Responsible Role/Department] ___.
Only authorised personnel, such as the ___ [e.g., Principal, Deputy Principal, Facilities Manager] ___, are permitted to access live feeds or recorded footage.
The system operates ___ [e.g., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week] ___.
Cameras are monitored ___ [e.g., live during school hours, or only reviewed retrospectively if an incident occurs] ___.

7. Access to Footage

Footage is accessible only to authorised staff for legitimate purposes related to safety, security, or investigations.
Requests for access by parents, guardians, or other third parties must be made in writing to ___ [Position] ___ and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to privacy and legal obligations.
Footage may be provided to law enforcement or regulatory bodies if required by law or requested for official investigations.
A record of all access and disclosures is maintained by the School.

8. Storage and Retention

CCTV footage is stored securely on ___ [e.g., School-owned servers/NVR/hard drives/cloud] ___.
Recordings are retained for a period of ___ [e.g., 30, 60, 90 days] ___ unless required for an ongoing investigation or legal proceeding.
After the retention period, footage is securely deleted or overwritten.

9. Privacy and Legal Compliance

The School operates its CCTV system in accordance with:

Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
Applicable State/Territory privacy or workplace surveillance legislation
Any other relevant laws or regulations.

This policy is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. The School seeks its own legal advice on compliance matters where necessary.