Six Tasmanian schools shut over asbestos play sand fears as dozens of ACT schools to remain closed

The Guardian•Monday, November 17, 2025 at 8:45:30 AM

ACT education department closed schools for assessment and cleaning despite assessing the health risk as ‘low’

Twenty-five public schools in the Australian Capital Territory will remain closed on Tuesday and nine Tasmanian Catholic schools will fully or partially shut their doors to students after fears over children’s play sand products that may contain asbestos.

More than 70 schools were shut on Monday in the territory after asbestos was detected in some samples of coloured play sand. An audit found use of the product was “widespread” across the ACT’s public schools.

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