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How much screen time for a 5 year old in Australia?
Up to 2 hours a day
Once a child turns 5, Australia's guidelines allow up to 2 hours of recreational screen time a day. Until their 5th birthday the guideline is 1 hour, so many families stay closer to an hour through the first year of school.
Make a plan that fits your family
The guideline is a ceiling, not a target. Our free planner starts with your family's values, then works out a daily allowance for each child, with agreements you can print.
Make our family screen plan →Built by a registered psychologist with 20 years in child and family services. General information, not clinical advice.
What helps at this age
- Starting school is tiring, so a calm wind-down after school often works better than screens.
- Keep devices in shared rooms, not bedrooms.
- Set screen time at a predictable part of the day, so it isn't renegotiated daily.
- Use parental controls on tablets and streaming apps.
Common questions
Does school screen time count?
No. The guideline is about recreational screen time. Learning at school and set homework sit outside the 2 hours.
Should I allow more on weekends?
The guideline is per day, every day. Some families allow a little extra on weekends and balance it with outdoor time, but keep sleep and activity protected.
Is YouTube OK for a 5 year old?
A 5 year old shouldn't have their own YouTube account. Under the under-16 rules, platforms must stop under-16s having accounts. Watching with a parent, or using a children's version with controls, is safer.
Source: Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, Australian Government. Last checked 22 October 2026.