Pre-emptive closures for schools on a Catastrophic Fire Danger Day
All schools, kindergartens and licensed child care centres that have been identified as being at high fire risk and on the Department’s Victoria-wide Bushfire At-Risk Register will close on days declared Catastrophic.
Schools and services not on the Bushfire At-Risk Register will remain open, unless directly threatened by fire or another emergency.
Where possible, three (3) days notice of a planned closure will be provided. However, experience indicates that a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating may be forecast at short notice. Parents and guardians should expect that in some instances less than three days notice may be provided.
Once the final decision to close is confirmed at 12 noon the day prior, this decision will not change – regardless of any changes in the weather forecast. This will help limit confusion and help families plan for how their children will be cared for when their school is closed.
When a school is closed in response to bushfire risk, no one, including staff, contractors and other users, will be permitted on site.
List of Actual and Potential School Closures
Where possible, information on code red weather-related closures will be provided up to 3-days in advance. Advice on closure will also be directly provided to you by your school.
View the latest total fire ban & fire danger ratings.
See the Department of Education and Training's list of school and early childhood service closures.