Playground Advisory Unit
The Kidsafe SA Playground Advisory Unit (PAU) provides a range of services to help you create and maintain play spaces that support children’s development, learning, health and wellbeing while reducing the risk of serious injury. The playground team are trained Comprehensive Playground Inspectors who are experienced in assessing and reporting according to the Australian Standards related to playgrounds (AS 4685:2021,2017 Playground equipment and surfacing, AS 4422:2022 Playground Surfacing). The expert team holds diverse knowledge on all things play including current research and trends on safe, creative playspaces.
The PAU team inspects over 500 playspaces each year including both nature playspaces and traditional equipment and can also provide surface impact testing of unitary surfacing (wet pour rubber). They travel across South Australia visiting education sites, public parks and various other facilities.

Kidsafe SA’s Playground Advisory Unit is independent and not affiliated with any playground equipment manufacturer, retailer or ancillary business.
The PAU provides a range of services including:
- Advice
- Review of Plans
- Inspections
- Training
- Resources
To contact the PAU call (08) 7089 8554 (option 2) or email play@kidsafesa.com.au
Advice
Need some information on playgrounds equipment, surfacing, design or the Australian Standards?
One of our PAU team members can provide free information on simple matters over the phone just call Kidsafe SA on (08) 7089 8554.
For complex questions consider our services below.

Review of plans
The Review of Plans service assists playground designers, builders or owners to create playgrounds that offer a balance between safety, challenge, natural elements and sculpture. A review of plans will provide the client with a written report that itemises identified areas of potential non-conformance to the Australian Standards and provides practical design recommendations. This is a great method to gain advice regarding compliance prior to the commencement of works.
The benefits:
- Receive best practice recommendations
- Expert advice on custom designed elements, natural playspaces and sculptural elements
- Report can be used to support applications for funding and playground improvement/upgrade
- Fix any issues before construction starts
How to obtain a quote
To receive a quote please email the following details to play@kidsafesa.com.au
- Name and location of the site
- Playspace plans
- Your contact details
Inspections
Playground inspections are an important part of playspace maintenance. Kidsafe SA offers a range of onsite playground inspection services that include written and photographic reports. All inspections are undertaken by a qualified playground inspector.
Benefits of a playground inspection:
- Greater awareness and understanding of playground hazards
- Potential reduction of playground injuries
- Effective resource utilisation (maintenance)
- Efficient planning and budgeting
- Improved public image and community relations
The Australian Standards for playgrounds recommend regular inspections to improve the maintenance and longevity of the playground while reducing the risk of injury.
How to obtain a quote
The cost of a playground inspection varies greatly depending on the size, type and location of the playground.
To receive a quote please email play@kidsafesa.com.au with the following details:
- Name and location of the site
- Photos or a concept map of the playspace(s)
- Your contact details
- Preferred inspection date

What is a Comprehensive Playground Inspection?
A comprehensive playground inspection is an inspection to establish the overall safety of the equipment, foundations and surfaces. The purpose of the Comprehensive Playground Safety Inspection is to identify and report on non-conformance to the Australian Standards such as: potential hazards on and in the playground, equipment, within the design and installation, maintenance, and environmental conditions that could present possible risk to children/users. Post inspection, a written report is provided which includes recommendations for rectifying non-conformances and making repairs. Each identified non-conformance is risk assessed according to ISO 31000.
Once the inspection is booked with the PAU, a qualified inspector will visit the site (for 1-2 hours per playspace) to measure and test all the equipment, surfacing and ancillary items. During this visit, the inspector works independently and will make contact with the client if any high risk finding are identified. After the inspection, the PAU will provide the client with a written report (which includes photos) that contains all findings and recommendations to rectify these issues.
Time frames
- Quotes will be provided within 1-2 business days of details being provided to the PAU
- Generally, an inspection can take place within 1-2 weeks of a quote being accepted (in writing).
- Inspections can also be booked in advance to fit with construction timelines and/or school holidays.
When should I get a Comprehensive Playground Inspection?
Comprehensive Playground Inspections should be completed:
1. Post-Installation.
Once a playspace is complete, but before it has opened to the public, a post-installation comprehensive playground safety inspection is provided to verify that the playspace is ready for use and that the equipment supplied and installed conforms with the current playground Standards.
2. Annually.
An annual comprehensive playground inspection is provided to ensure the ongoing safety and stability of the playspace including the overall stability of the equipment, footings, surfacing, structural integrity, corrosion/rotting and any changes made due to repairs/replaced components.
Surface Impact Testing
Kidsafe SA provides surface impact testing services for unitary (wet pour rubber) playground surfaces undertaken by qualified Playground Inspectors.
Impact testing of unitary surfacing is required at post installation for new playground equipment and then every 3 years to confirm minimum acceptable performance as per AS 4685.0. Surface impact testing is used to establish the post installation and on-going performance of the impact attenuating surfacing installed on site with respect to compliance with the following Australian Standards: · AS 4685 Playground Equipment and Surfacing; · AS 4422 Playground Surfacing – Specifications, requirements and test methods.
NB: Testing is not conducted under laboratory conditions and does not replicate or replace laboratory testing of impact attenuating surfacing prior to installation. Kidsafe SA does not provide certificates of compliance for unitary surfacing. Certificates of compliance should be sort from the playground surfacing supplier/installer. Impact test data and procedural measurements are documented in a report style format, and a satisfactory or non-satisfactory result determined. Where possible, recommendations are provided to assist in managing or rectifying any hazards identified from the data collected.
Have you just installed a new playground and are wondering what comes next to check the safety of the playspace? Or has your client asked you to provide a third party assessment to check the safety of the playspace? A post-installation comprehensive playground inspection is for you! It’s important for the playground to be checked before children go out to play.
When should you get a post-installation comprehensive playground inspection?
- If you’re a builder, designer or contractor we recommend an inspection prior to opening the playspace and prior to handing the playspace to the owner. This enables you to rectify any non-conformances (to the playground standards) before completing the job, potentially reducing the need to return to the site multiple times. A quote and inspection booking can be provided ahead of time to ensure smooth handover with the playground owner.
- If you’re the playground owner who has engaged a builder, designer or contractor to design/install a playspace, we recommend completing an inspection before opening the playspace to the public. This enables you to go back to the contractors to rectify any identified issues before final sign off and payment.
For more information or to book an inspection visit our comprehensive playground inspection tab.
Are you a owner with an existing public playspace? Do you know the last time your playground was inspected? Would you like a greater understanding of the safety of your playground? A comprehensive playground inspection is for you.
The Australian Standards for playgrounds recommend a comprehensive playground inspection be completed annually by an experienced inspector. Our comprehensive playground inspections provide you with a “health check” of your playground to give you a clearer understanding of the safety of your playground, including:
- Maintenance requirements of the playground
- Playground hazards and advice to rectify these issues
- Remaining lifespan of the equipment, to aid planning and budgeting of new equipment
For more information or to book an inspection visit our comprehensive playground inspection tab.
Nature play is the incorporation of natural, non-manufactured play elements, this includes items such as rocks and boulders, logs, wooden elements, creek beds, water play, sand pits, digging patches, plants and other landscape elements. Nature playspaces provide children with quiet, natural, creative, active and exploratory playspaces to stimulate children’s imaginations and learning. For more information on nature playspaces see our Natural Playspaces fact sheet.
Is an inspection required for nature play?
Yes, if you have a new or existing nature playspace, the playground standards can still be used to assess the safety of the area and elements and any hazards to be aware of or modified.
Our comprehensive playground inspections provide you with a “health check” of your nature play to give you a clearer understanding of the safety of all elements, including:
- Maintenance requirements of the playspace
- Playspace hazards and advice to rectify these issues
- Remaining lifespan of the elements, to aid planning and budgeting for maintenance or replacement
For more information or to book an inspection visit our comprehensive playground inspection tab.
Q. When should I get a playground inspection?
A. Playgrounds should be inspected prior to opening the playspace to the public/children and annually there after. For more information or to book an inspection visit our comprehensive playground inspection tab.
Q. What is the estimated lifespan of my playground?
A. The lifespan of playgrounds vary significantly depending on the location, age of users, type of equipment (dynamic/static), materials used and maintenance. As a guide, nature playspaces have an average lifespan of 5 -10 years and traditional equipment 15 – 20 years.
Q. I’d like to get my playground inspected but it has never been inspected, can the PAU still visit?
A. Yes, even if your playground has never been inspected, our experienced PAU team can still inspect your playground.
Q. Do I need to be onsite during the inspection?
A. No. The experienced inspector will work independently, if any high risk finding are identified the inspector will contact the client on the day to discuss.
Q. I have completed visual or operational playground training with Kidsafe SA, am I able to complete a comprehensive playground inspection?
A. No, a comprehensive play inspection should be conducted by a competent person who has been trained in comprehensive playground inspections.
For more information on visual and operational inspections visit our Playground Safety Management System fact sheet or see our training tab below. For more information or to book an inspection visit our comprehensive playground inspection tab.
Q. I have a backyard swing set do I need Kidsafe SA to inspect it?
A. Backyard play equipment does need to be inspected by Kidsafe SA. Backyard play equipment should meet AS/NZS 8124.6.2016 Safety of Toys Part 6: Swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use at point of sale. For more information on backyard safety visit our Safe Play in Backyards factsheet.
Training
Appropriate training, skills and knowledge is helpful to create and maintain safe and enjoyable playspaces for children. Kidsafe recommends accredited playground training (please see below).
However we also offer workshops, so if you are looking for something different, want a specific topic covered or want training held at your site a personalised workshops is something worth exploring. For more information on our playground workshops please email play@kidsafesa.com.au or phone (08) 7089 8554.