Students from primary school to year 12 will be required to have their phones off and away all day starting from Term 2 2020.

Year 11 and 12 will retain an 'opt out' option and exceptions will be made in special circumstances.

A review of the policy will take place after twelve months.

Brooks High School principal Louise Rose said the decision to ban phones in school time is the best decision the Department of Education could make to support schools and teachers.

"The distraction to learning of kids when they have their phones in classes is too great for them to manage without strict parameters," Ms Rose said.

Ms Rose said Brooks High School's decision to ban phones in class time two years ago was the best thing the school has done.

"All schools need to be really proactive in this space," she said.

"Schools are about teaching and learning and we have to do everything we can to engage students in their lessons and phones were a barrier to that.

"I'm delighted that the government has decided to ban them also during break times."

Reece High School principal Grant Armitstead, whose school banned mobile phones in classrooms four years ago, said he could see great outcomes for all public schools as the result of the phone ban.

"As a principal I couldn't be more supportive of it," Mr Armitstead said.

Mr Armitstead said he had seen the difference from when phones were allowed in classrooms.

"Mobile phones are a real distraction from our commitment to high levels of learning for our kids," he said.

"If you talk to students and parents they are really understanding of the policy. Parents know what an inhibitor mobile phones can be at home."

Tasmanian Principals Association president Sally Milbourne commended the timeline for the roll-out of the policy.

"Given the time of year we are at, when schools are incredibly busy places, it will give schools a chance to develop the policy in their own context," Ms Milbourne said.

"Resource implications will be tested when the policy is introduced, as will any other concerns."

Commissioner for Children and Young People Leanne McLean said, while she welcomed restrictions on mobile phones in classrooms, it was her strong view students should be consulted further before the new policy is implemented.

"Research around the risks and benefits of students' use of mobile phones and other digital devices in schools is mixed," Ms McLean said.

"What is clear is that we must effectively balance the right of children and young people to a safe, engaging and effective learning environment with other rights, including their right to learn about technology and participate in our digital age."

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the decision follows significant consultation with educators, students and their families, and brings Tasmania in line with other states which have moved to impose restrictions on mobile phones.

"A number of schools have already implemented a ban with principals reporting an increase in student wellbeing and more face-to-face interaction with students," Mr Rockliff said.

"I want this for all Tasmanian schools."

Labor education spokesman Josh Willie said Labor supported the ban but called for the change to be undertaken in close consultation with principals, teachers and the community.

"In my experience as a teacher, I have seen the positive and negative uses of mobile phones in schools. There is no doubt a ban will improve student wellbeing," Mr Willie said.

"Labor has been supportive of banning mobile phones in schools since Victoria announced their policy earlier this year."

The Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations was contacted for comment.