Childcare and pre-school entry and immunisation

​​​​​​​​​​​​Under the Public Health Act 2010​​​, the only people who can be enrolled in childcare are those who have an approved form that shows that they are:

  • fully immunised for their age, or
  • are on a catch-up schedule, or
  • have a medical reason not to be immunised.

All parents need to provide childcare staff with appropriate immunisation documentation to enrol their child. This includes long day care, family day care, occasional care and pre-school.​

​​Children who are up to date

Where children are up to date with their vaccinations, parents must provide an Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement withthe words ‘up to date’ included.

Parents can request a copy of their child’s AIR Immunisation History Statement at any time (up to their child being 14 years of age):

Children on a catch-up schedule

Where children are not up to date but are on a recognised catch-up schedule, the parent must provide the following to enrol them in childcare:

  • AIR Immunisation History Statement that includes the words ‘catch up schedule until (date)’, OR
  • a copy of an AIR Immunisation History Form that has been completed and signed by a medical practitioner.​

​Children with a medical reason not be vaccinated

Where children are not up to date but have a medical reason not be vaccinated, the parent must provide the following to enrol them in childcare:

  • ​AIR Immunisation History Statement that includes the words ‘medical contradindication’ or ‘natural immunity’, or
  • a copy of an AIR Immunisation Medical Exemption Form completed and signed by a medical practitioner.

​Updated AIR Immunisation History Statement

After each immunisation, parents should provide their child’s updated AIR Immunisation History Statement to their childcare centre.

Inaccurate AIR Immunisation History Statement

If some of the immunisations which have been given to your child are missing from their AIR Immunisation History Statement, you should contact the GP/nurse who administered the vaccine to check that the records were sent to the AIR. ​

Once the record has been corrected, request an updated AIR Immunisation History Statement.

Please be aware that children who have not had all the recommended immunisations for their age may need to stay at home during a disease outbreak. This is to protect the child and stop the spread of disease.

Children vaccinated overseas

Overseas immunisation schedules may be different from the Australian schedule. If your child was immunised overseas, their immunisation record will need to be checked by a GP/nurse who will transfer the information to the AIR. Parents should then request an updated AIR Immunisation History Statement to give to the childcare centre.


Important facts

  • ​​​​To enrol your child, provide the childcare centre with an approved Australian Government form that shows that your child:
    • is up to date with thei vaccinations, or 
    • is on a recognised catch-up schedule, or
    • has a medical exemption or natural immunity.
  • Immunisations are most affective if given on their due date. Read about immunisation dates on the NSW Immunisation Schedule or in your baby's Blue Book.
  • Not immunising your child on time puts them at risk of catching a disease and becoming very sick.
  • Children with a minor illness such as a runny nose or slight cold can still be safey immunised.
  • Immunising many people in a community also protects those who are unvaccinated and helps control serious preventable diseases.
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More information

Printable brochure and translations in different languages

The information on this page is available in a printable brochure​. 

It is also available in a printable PDF in the following languages: 

  • ​Arabic | العربية
  • Simplified Chinese | 简体中文
  • Traditional Chinese | 繁體中文​
  • Korean | 한국어
  • Vietnamese | Tiếng Việt Nam​.

Current as at: Tuesday 10 December 2024
Contact page owner: Immunisation