PLANNING OFF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

Equipment and clothing lists must be provided and used to check each student is adequately
equipped.
Clothing for winter bushwalking should be of an exceptionally high standard. Appropriate woollen or
synthetic thermal clothing must be carried if bushwalking is taking place in cold conditions or in the
mountains. A warm hat and waterproof jacket with hood must be carried all participants (leaders,
teachers, volunteers and students).
Ratios and group sizes
Day walks (not remote or high altitude)
Maximum recommended group size is 24 including a minimum of 3 teachers/leaders., i.e. a ratio
of up to seven students to one teacher/leader.
Larger groups should be split into smaller groups, with a maximum number per group of 13
people, including at least two teachers/leaders per group, but there is no restriction on the
number of groups for low altitude day walks.
Day walks (alpine or longer duration)
Maximum recommended group size is 13 including a minimum of 2 teachers/leaders
Only one such group is appropriate
Overnight and multi-day walks
In non-remote or low altitude settings, maximum recommended group size is 24 including a
minimum of 3 teachers/leaders, i.e. a ratio of seven students to one teacher/leader.
In remote or alpine settings, maximum group size is 13 with the ratio a maximum of five
students to one teacher/leader.
On national parks and other reserved land the maximum group size is 13 with the ratio a
maximum of five students to one teacher/leader.
The maximum group size for overnight and multi-day bushwalking on major tracks (e.g.
Overland track, Walls of Jerusalem, South Coast, Frenchman’s Cap. Freycinet Circuit) is 13,
including a minimum of two teachers/leaders.
In more remote and challenging or sensitive terrain, group sizes of eight or less (four in the
most sensitive cases) is encouraged. On National Parks and reserved land this is likely to be
a requirement.
For walks in winter at least two highly experienced teachers/leaders must be present.
The DoE requirements regarding gender must be met, i.e. overnight activities with mixed
gender groups must have at least one male and one female teacher/leader.
Winter bushwalking
At least two highly experienced leaders must be present.
The student numbers above may need to be reduced in light of the venue, weather, experience and
age group, and the program being undertaken.
Please refer to the online copy of this document (TASED-4-1765), located on the Tasmanian Department
of Education’s website to ensure this version is the most recent. P a g e | 44