With the release of the VSBA Building Quality Standards Handbook May 2025, Victorian schools have an updated framework for inclusive and compliant classroom audio systems. The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) continues to prioritise accessibility, ensuring that every student—regardless of hearing ability—can actively participate in classroom learning.
For schools and educational designers seeking to meet these updated requirements, VSBA compliant hearing augmentation systems are essential. Hear and Learn’s UConnect range of hearing augmentation solutions has been purpose-built to meet and exceed the latest VSBA standards.
Understanding the 2025 VSBA Building Quality Standards Handbook
The VSBA Building Quality Standards Handbook May 2025 builds on the principles of the 2024 edition, maintaining a strong emphasis on inclusion and accessibility. These updates ensure that all new schools in Victoria adopt advanced, fixed hearing augmentation systems designed for both safety and performance.
The 2025 edition outlines three key requirements:
- Permanent cabling and dedicated interfaces: New schools must install hearing augmentation systems with permanent cabling between audio sources and devoted on-wall interfaces for transmitters to connect to safely and conveniently.
- Agility and cross-brand compatibility: The standards recognise that different hearing aid brands use various transmission methods. As assistive hearing technologies evolve, schools must implement flexible systems that can adapt to future platforms.
- Comprehensive sound coverage: The standards stipulate that each building must have at least one portable sound field system to ensure verbal instruction is audible for all. And, soundfield systems must be permanent in libraries, gymnasiums and multipurpose areas.
Meeting VSBA compliance with Hear and Learn UConnect solutions
The Hear and Learn UConnect family of hearing augmentation systems has been designed specifically to meet these VSBA requirements. These on-wall interfaces are not basic wall plates—they are robust, engineered housings that securely mount and protect transmitters while allowing easy connectivity.
Unlike generic plug-in wall interfaces, UConnect systems are purpose-built to prevent tampering and reduce ligature risk, making them ideal for education environments. Their durable design supports long-term reliability and safety while providing consistent, high-quality sound transmission across classrooms and shared learning spaces.
By incorporating permanent cabling and safe transmitter mounting points, UConnect ensures full compliance with the VSBA Building Quality Standards Handbook May 2025. These systems deliver flexibility, allowing integration with a variety of personal hearing devices and assistive listening technologies.
Agility and cross-brand compatibility
The 2025 VSBA guidelines acknowledge that hearing technology is constantly evolving. Hearing aids and receivers from different manufacturers—such as Phonak, Signia, or newer Bluetooth and Auracast enabled devices—operate on varied transmission platforms.
To ensure ongoing accessibility, schools must install systems capable of adapting to these changes. Hear and Learn’s UConnect systems are built with this in mind. Their open, cross-brand compatibility ensures they can work seamlessly with current and future technologies, giving schools long-term value and peace of mind that their investment remains compliant and effective.
Capturing and distributing voices for all learners
Beyond hearing augmentation, the VSBA highlights the importance of soundfield technology for classroom inclusivity. Teacher microphones and bespoke amplifier and speaker solutions—known as Soundfield—are to be included in new school constructions to project and protect teachers’ voices, helping every student—especially those with auditory processing disorders, English as a second language, or mild hearing loss—access verbal instruction clearly.
The 2025 Handbook also specifies that hearing augmentation and soundfield systems must be fixed rather than portable in areas such as gymnasiums, libraries, and multipurpose rooms. Hear and Learn’s integrated UConnect solutions ensure schools meet this requirement, providing durable, permanently installed systems that improve speech clarity in all teaching spaces.
Supporting Victorian schools in achieving VSBA compliance
Hear and Learn has developed specialised system bundles that directly align with the VSBA Building Quality Standards Handbook May 2025. These turnkey solutions simplify compliance for schools and contractors by providing preconfigured, certifiable packages that satisfy all relevant criteria.
By choosing UConnect, Victorian schools can be confident that their installations will meet both the spirit and the letter of the VSBA’s inclusion and accessibility goals.
Explore Hear and Learn’s full range of VSBA compliant hearing augmentation bundles or contact our team for expert guidance via the contact page.