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Orienteering

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​​​​​​​Guideline review date: 24 September 2025

This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner (DOCX, 232KB) must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template (DOCX, 98KB).

Activity scope

This guideline demonstrates the minimum safety standard for student participation in orienteering as an activity to support curriculum delivery.​

The Department of Education is committed to ensuring that curriculum activities are planned for and managed in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of students, staff and others.

Depending on the scope of this activity, other risk assessments may be required when planning. Curriculum activities encompassing more than 1 CARA guideline (e.g. orienteering while cycling: mountain bike, off road​) must comply with the requirements of all CARA guidelines appropriate to the activity.

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record.

For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.

Risk level

Medium risk
Orienteering in modified, semi-natural or managed terrain with clearly defined containment features (e.g. parkland).
High risk
Orienteering in natural, generally unmodified terrain with little, poorly-defined or no containment features (e.g. bushland).

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

Teachers, in collaboration with other adult supervisors of the planned activity, determine additional risks, hazards and control measures relevant to the activity and the specific school/group circumstances in order to lift the safety standard above the minimum identified in the CARA guideline.

Consult review comments from previous CARA records to improve safety standards based on the advice from the previous supervisors of the activity at the school.

Prior consultation and collaboration with local expertise (e.g. Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation—for track closures and Queensland Fire Department) is required for local advice, emergency support mechanisms and additional supervision requirements to ensure participant and public safety.

Permission/permits are required to be obtained from land managers (e.g. Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, local councils or private landholders), if applicable.

Reference to Australian adventure activity standard and bushwalking Australian adventure activity good practice guide (PDF, 485KB) is required when planning this activity.

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Supervision

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults, make final supervision decisions for the activity that considers the local context.

Appropriate adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (i.e. prevent an incident from occurring and manage an incident if one were to occur, including managing emergency situations). The principal must give active consideration to the minimum standards set in the CARA guideline for the activity, the CARA planner and the risk assessment when determining the appropriate level of supervision.

See number of adult supervisors below.

Participants must adhere to all rules and advice communicated by the facility operator/owner and any safety signage at the facility/location.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors:

  • must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record, including the emergency and supervision plans.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

  • must provide active and direct supervision—be constantly vigilant, attentive and rescue ready
  • must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
  • must not rely on students to recover a person in difficulty at any time
  • must roam the site/course, positioned at control points and/or on the extremities of the course, especially when students are beginners or where the area contains uncontrollable risks.

The activity must be suspended if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. poor visibility, extreme temperatures, thunderstorms).

Number of adult supervisors

Principals, in consultation with the qualified adults of the activity, determine the final number of supervisors to fulfil instructional, emergency and supervision roles for the local context that consider the bushwalking Australian adventure activity good practice guide (PDF, 485KB), the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs. In some instances, the final supervision ratio may be 1:1.

If the minimum safety standard cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard (e.g. reduce the number of students participating at any one time).

See frequently asked questions (FAQs) for further support.

Supervisor qualifications

Qualifications support the minimum safety standard for this activity. Principals make final decisions* in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and whether the activity leader meets an appropriate teaching standard.

*See FAQs for further support.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—blue cards procedure.

Qualified adults for the activity

Recovery/emergency—CPR, first aid, rescue

An adult with current emergency qualifications is required to be quickly accessible to the activity area.

Supervisors must have CPR and first aid qualifications relevant to the activity.

Emergency qualifications may include:

An adult with concussion management knowledge or training is recommended. Consult concussion in sport resources.

Medium risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is either:

  • a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in the teaching of orienteering
  • an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with orienteering instructor coaching accreditation from Orienteering Queensland or equivalent.

High risk activities

At least 1 adult supervisor is:

  • a registered teacher, or other adult supervisor working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with Learn and Play coaching accreditation from Orienteering Queensland or equivalent.

See FAQs for further support.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability. Survey the area and update the map where necessary.

Consider the geography when planning the route to avoid walking along cliff edges (slipping hazard) and below cliff faces (falling rocks). Avoid setting controls at the top of cliffs or on steep slopes or that cross dangerous/deep water. Be aware of hazards when setting courses (e.g. potential hazards from rising water) and monitor throughout the activity. Plan alternative routes in case of emergency situations (e.g. bushfire, thunderstorm, extreme temperature, king tide).

Ensure a copy of all courses to be used, including any updates made during the initial survey, are available for the duration of the orienteering activity.

Participants must wear personal protective equipment as relevant (e.g. long-sleeved shirt and pants for all weather extremes, wind and rain jacket and suitable enclosed footwear).

Personal equipment for all participants required including, but not limited to:

  • drinking water in individual drinking containers (e.g. available at start/finish areas)
  • insect repellent, sunscreen and personal hygiene items as necessary
  • toileting equipment (if applicable)
  • a plastic (or reusable) bag for rubbish
  • waterproof containers for all equipment that can be damaged by water.

Equipment for each student/group of students and the activity leader, including:

  • an accurate orienteering map (i.e. larger scale appropriate for the age group)
  • a whistle or airhorn for an emergency signal
  • an orienteering compass (for bush orienteering)
  • timekeeping device (e.g. watch, mobile phone, stop watch).

All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Establish and employ a process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity.

A retirement schedule must be developed to replace equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.

Common hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards Control measures
Animal bites/diseases
Stings, poisoning, infection

Observe wildlife from a safe distance.

Instruct students not to feed wildlife and how to respond to approaching wildlife.

Adhere to established practices regarding the use of insect repellent, outlined in insect viruses and allergies

Environmental conditions
Weather, surfaces, surrounds

Assess weather conditions prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers.

Follow the school's sun safety policy, including appropriate clothing, sun protection (e.g. sunscreen) and shade facilities when outside.

Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions.

Brief all participants on the potential hazards (e.g. thorned flora, steep slopes).

Constantly monitor surroundings for weather, terrain and wildlife hazards during the bushwalk.

Monitor participants for cold related illness (e.g. hypothermia) in cold weather conditions

Facilities and equipment Control measures
Vehicles

When courses expose students to traffic and/or roads, ensure they have been instructed to be aware of vehicles and adhere to pedestrian road rules

Student considerations Control measures
Injury Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment
Physical exertion
Exhaustion and fatigue

Establish rest stops, considering the age and fitness level of students.

Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks.

Instruct students to proceed 'at their own pace' to avoid over exertion.

Continually monitor participants for signs of fatigue and exhaustion.

Adopt system of signals to clearly communicate the need for assistance if in difficulty

Student issues
Separation from the group, high risk behaviours

Conduct appropriate lead-up activities (e.g. map and compass work; basic physical fitness; and navigation skills including the use of handrails, attack points, aiming off, collecting features and catching features).

Brief students on:

  • basic first aid procedures for biological hazards they may encounter (e.g. ticks, leeches)
  • appropriate behaviours to help keep themselves safe during the activity, including procedures if they become lost or injured
  • appropriate toileting procedures for the duration of the event
  • relocation techniques
  • predetermined safety bearings (e.g. easily identifiable geographic feature) and how to use them
  • use of the emergency whistle
  • the set finishing time and the requirement to return at that time, whether or not they have completed the course
  • areas that are out of bounds.

Maintain contact between all group members through regular checks on group numbers.

Implement procedures (e.g. buddy system, roll marking mechanisms) to account for all participants when participating off-site before, during and after the activity.

Appoint designated group roles (e.g. leader, group member, tail end)

Visibility

Have students wear easily identifiable clothing (e.g. high visibility rash vest).

Ensure staff can easily recognise those students with health support needs and are familiar with their needs

Additional links

Disclaimer

This information is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools only.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this information are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this information to a user's particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information.

Links to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

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Last updated 24 September 2025