# How do Australian schools and services choose edtech and apps?

> Who decides, the privacy and security checks involved (including Safer Technologies 4 Schools), and how to make a case for a tool.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/edtech-procurement-australia
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-27

**Short answer:** In Australia, app decisions are usually made by schools within the rules of their state, Catholic or independent system. Many systems use Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S), a national privacy and security assessment run by Education Services Australia, to evaluate edtech. Government agencies may also buy through panels like BuyICT or buy.NSW. Privacy must meet the Australian Privacy Principles and state laws.

**Key takeaways**
- Decisions usually sit with **schools**, within **system rules**.
- **ST4S** is a national **privacy and security assessment** for edtech.
- Privacy must meet the **Australian Privacy Principles** and state laws.
- Government bodies may buy through **panels** like BuyICT or buy.NSW.

## Who decides which apps schools use?

Usually the school, following policies set by its state education department, Catholic education office or independent school. Larger purchases may go through the system or a procurement panel.

## What is Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S)?

ST4S is a national initiative, administered by Education Services Australia and developed with state, territory, Catholic and independent school sectors, to help schools decide whether to adopt a technology. It assesses products against a nationally consistent privacy and security framework.[1]

## What privacy questions should schools ask?

**Try:**
- What student information does the app collect, and where is it stored?
- Can it be used without student accounts?
- Does it work offline?
- Has it completed ST4S or another assessment?

**Skip:**
- Uploading student photos to unknown services
- Apps with ads on student-facing screens

## How do government agencies buy digital tools?

Commonwealth agencies often use **BuyICT**, and NSW agencies use **buy.NSW**, among other state arrangements.[2][3]

**Where The Autism Kit stands.** Children's routines and photos stay on the device, and there are no ads. We haven't completed ST4S yet. If your school
  or system needs it, we'll work through your process with you.

**Making the case.** A short proposal helps: the need (e.g. predictable routines for autistic students), the tool, privacy details, cost,
  and a small trial with clear measures.

## What can I do next?

- [ ] Check your school or system's app approval policy
- [ ] Ask vendors the privacy questions above
- [ ] Propose a small, time-limited trial

Talk to us about your school: [For schools](https://theautismkit.com/schools)

## Common questions

### What is ST4S?

Safer Technologies 4 Schools is a national initiative, administered by Education Services Australia with school sectors across Australia, that assesses digital products against a consistent privacy and security framework.

### Has The Autism Kit completed ST4S?

Not yet. If your school or system needs it, contact us and we'll work through your process with you. Children's routines and photos stay on the device in the current app.

### Can a teacher just download an app?

It depends on your school and system's policy. Many require approval before using apps with students, especially if student information is involved.

## Sources

1. Safer Technologies 4 Schools (Education Services Australia). https://st4s.edu.au/
2. BuyICT (Australian Government Digital Transformation Agency). https://www.buyict.gov.au/
3. buy.NSW (NSW Government procurement). https://www.buy.nsw.gov.au/

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.