NSW immunisation requirements: what ECEC services need to know for enrolment

Approved providers and early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are reminded of their responsibilities when enrolling children under New South Wales immunisation requirements.

Under the Public Health Act 2010, specific documentation must be provided before a child can be enrolled in an ECEC service, including long day care, family day care, occasional care and preschool.

The requirements are designed to support public health outcomes, maintain high immunisation rates and assist services to manage the risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses within early learning environments.

Before a child starts at an ECEC service in NSW, families must provide approved documentation confirming the child’s immunisation status.

A child can generally be enrolled when documentation confirms they:

• are fully immunised for their age
• are following a recognised catch-up immunisation schedule
• have an approved medical reason for not receiving certain vaccinations.

The required evidence is an Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement or relevant AIR documentation.

Other records, such as the child’s Blue Book, overseas immunisation records or letters from health professionals, are not accepted as substitutes unless they have been appropriately recorded through the AIR system.

For children who have received all required vaccinations for their age, families must provide an AIR Immunisation History Statement showing their immunisation status is up to date.

Families can access statements through:

• Medicare online via myGov
• the Medicare Express Plus app
• the Australian Immunisation Register.

Services should ensure enrolment processes clearly outline documentation requirements so families understand what is needed before their child commences care.

Some children may be in the process of receiving vaccinations through an approved catch-up schedule.

In these circumstances, families must provide appropriate AIR documentation confirming that a catch-up schedule is in place.

Maintaining accurate and current records is important, as children’s immunisation status can change as additional vaccinations are completed.

Families should provide updated AIR Immunisation History Statements following future immunisations to ensure service records remain current.

Medical exemptions and natural immunity

Some children may be unable to receive certain vaccines due to medical reasons.

Where this applies, families must provide approved AIR documentation showing a recognised medical contraindication or natural immunity.

Medical exemptions must be recorded through the appropriate Australian Immunisation Register processes.

Children who received vaccinations overseas require their records to be reviewed by an Australian immunisation provider, such as a GP or authorised health professional.

Once overseas vaccination information has been assessed and entered into AIR, families can obtain an updated Immunisation History Statement for enrolment purposes.

Why accurate immunisation records matter for ECEC services

For approved providers, immunisation requirements form part of broader enrolment, governance and health and safety practices.

Under the National Quality Framework, services are required to support children’s health, safety and wellbeing, including through effective policies, procedures and risk management practices.

Quality Area 2 of the National Quality Standard focuses on children’s health and safety, with services expected to implement practices that promote children’s wellbeing and reduce risks.

Keeping immunisation records accurate and accessible assists services when responding to illness outbreaks and communicating with public health authorities.

NSW Health advises that children who are not fully immunised for their age may need to remain away from an ECEC service during an outbreak of some vaccine-preventable diseases.

Approved providers and service leaders are encouraged to regularly review enrolment processes to ensure teams understand current immunisation requirements.

This may include:

• checking enrolment forms and procedures reference current requirements
• ensuring administration teams understand accepted AIR documentation
• reminding families to provide updated records after immunisations
• directing families to appropriate health professionals for individual medical advice.

Clear processes help services meet their obligations while supporting safe and healthy environments for children, educators and families.

Access information and resources here.