Can a school monitor a student’s wifi usage?

Yes, schools can do this in the same way employers can monitor staff use of workplace-provided internet and wifi. But schools need to be open with their students that they are doing this and why it is necessary (for instance, as a check against students visiting or downloading illegal or unsuitable content).

Some schools might decide to monitor internet use as part of their legitimate educative and pastoral functions. But they need to make it very clear exactly what students and staff are allowed to use the school wifi for and the extent to that this is being monitored(external link) and how any information derived from the monitoring will be used.

This allows students and school visitors to choose whether or not to undertake their online activity on the school wifi or to wait and access the internet elsewhere.

Schools should keep in mind that when collecting information(external link), a range of other obligations under the Privacy Act will also apply. These are set out in the Act’s information privacy principles which govern the management of personal information and a school’s responsibilities around security, accuracy, retention, use and disclosure of personal information, and access to it.

Updated November 2025