Playground Safety

The Playground Advisory Unit

The Playground Advisory Unit (PAU) is a principal agency which provides impartial technical, design and safety information services to all groups across NSW.

The Unit

The project officers from the PAU hold combined qualifications and experience in Occupational Therapy, Children's Services, Landscape Architecture and Horticulture. Project officers have experience in conducting playground inspections and are UTS Level 3 Comprehensive Inspectors. The PAU is a representative on the Australian Standards committees for Playground Equipment and Contained Play Facilities. The PAU project officers hold a Certificate IV Training and Assessment qualification.

Aims

The PAU aims to increase the number of safe, creative play environments that are aligned with Australian Standards for playgrounds. The PAU achieves this aim with the following activities:

• Promote participation in recreational and physical activities;
• Promote good quality, best practise playground design;
• Encourage the development of challenging and creative play environments;
• Encourage best practise playground maintenance and inspection regimes;
• Encourage the inclusion of natural features in playspaces; and
• Demonstrate a holistic approach to playground design and management.