Safer Technologies for Schools (ST4S) is an initiative that helps you take the guesswork out of choosing the right technology.

About ST4S

ST4S is led by us, the Ministry of Education, and our Australian peer jurisdictions. It gives you clear guidance on whether software products for schools meet strict privacy and security standards. The products that do meet the standard can display the trusted ST4S badge.

It makes your decision-making process simpler with detailed reports on how each product manages and protects data. These reports help you make informed choices, save you time and give you peace of mind.

Why use ST4S?

We understand how difficult it can be to review every piece of software your school uses. ST4S does this work for you by providing insights into the privacy and security controls of educational software.

We recommend schools use ST4S to inform decisions on software by understanding privacy and security risks. This is especially important when it comes to protecting student data.

Easy to use

Schools can quickly see which products are badged on the ST4S website, without needing to log in.

Identify and reduce risks

See where your school’s data could be vulnerable and take steps to protect it.

Save time

Instead of spending hours researching, rely on ST4S to deliver the information you need.

Make informed decisions

Confidently choose software that meets the security standards needed to keep students safe.

What ST4S reports include

ST4S reports are easy to understand and cover:

• the types of personal information the software collects
• how well the software performs against privacy and security standards
• specific recommendations on how to reduce risks.

Each report gives you practical advice so you can ensure your school’s data is protected. You can access reports for both ST4S-badged products and those that haven’t yet earned the badge.

What products are covered?

You can find a list of ST4S-badged products on the ST4S website. More are added as they complete the certification process.

ST4S focuses on software products used in the education sector but doesn’t cover hardware providers.

How to access the ST4S reports

For state and state-integrated schools, staff can access the ST4S reports on the Taku Education website with their Education Sector Logon (ESL). If you don’t have access yet, ask your school’s delegated authoriser to set it up for you under the ‘IT & cyber’ role.

For private schools, contact us directly to access the reports by emailing [email protected].

Making decisions on software

Using ST4S reports, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about the software you choose, with clear guidance on:

• the types of data the product collects
• the potential risks associated with the product
• how to reduce or mitigate those risks.

While ST4S doesn’t endorse specific products, the reports help you choose software that prioritises your school’s security and privacy needs.

How reports are created and ratings assessed

Software suppliers undergo a self-assessment, answering questions about how their products manage and protect data. Based on an expert review of their responses, ST4S provides a rating and creates a detailed report.

Products with a low-risk or medium-risk rating can apply for an ST4S badge, showing they meet the highest security and privacy standards. This badge gives suppliers a competitive edge, as schools look for trusted products.

Help us identify new products for assessment

If your school is considering or already using software that doesn’t have the ST4S badge, let us know! We work closely with suppliers to help them complete the ST4S assessment, but we need your help in identifying and prioritizing products.

Email us at [email protected] to register your interest in specific software products.