School exclusion for health reasons

Here are some useful terms:

Infectious disease — an illness caused by a germ that can be spread from one person to another.

Incubation period — the time between coming into contact with the germ and when the first signs of illness show.

Infectious period — the time period when someone with an infectious disease can spread it to another person.

Chain of infection — the steps that happen when germs spread. They are:

• The germ comes from somewhere (the 'source').
• The germ spreads from that place or person.
• The germ infects another person (the 'new host').

Removing the person who is infected (the 'host') while they are infectious can help break the chain of infection and reduce the number of cases in the community.

Exclusion period — the amount of time that your child will need to stay away from school. This is usually related to the 'infectious period'.

Notifiable diseases — illnesses that your child's school or doctor must report to the government health authorities. This helps them look for outbreaks and take steps to stop the spread of infectious disease in the community.

Sometimes children need to stay away from daycare, preschool and school for health reasons. This is called 'school exclusion'.

Some illnesses are caused by germs that can spread from one person to another. A person who is sick with these germs may be able to spread them to others. This is known as being 'infectious'. Keeping your child away from others while they are infectious can help reduce the spread of illness to other children or people in the community.

In some cases, your child may need to be excluded because they have been in contact with another person (such as a teacher or classmate) who has an infectious disease.

Each state and territory has its own guidelines for daycare, preschool and school exclusion.

These rules help stop the spread of germs at daycare centres, preschools and schools.

You can find specific information about school exclusions in your state and territory in the list below:

• Australian Capital Territory: Outbreak Procedures and Exclusion Periods Policy (Opens in new tab)
• New South Wales: Stopping the spread of childhood infections factsheet (Opens in new tab)
• Victoria: School exclusion table (Opens in new tab)
• Queensland: Disease prevention in education and care services (Opens in new tab)
• Tasmania: What to do if your child is unwell and unable to go to school (Opens in new tab)
• Northern Territory: Infectious diseases (Opens in new tab)
• Western Australia: Communicable disease guidelines (Opens in new tab)

How long your child needs to stay away from daycare or school may depend on:

• the type of infection they have
• how easily the infection can spread
• your child's symptoms

Many schools and centres have a written policy on staying away when you're sick. Their policy should be based on government guidelines for recommended minimum exclusion periods (Opens in new tab)

It can be difficult as a parent or carer to keep your child home. You may be busy with work and other commitments. But following your child's daycare or school policies is important to reduce the spread of infectious disease in your school and wider community.

A list of common childhood illnesses and their recommended exclusion periods.

Research shows that staying home from school for a long time can affect your child's wellbeing. This is true for children of all ages, and especially for children living in rural and remote communities.

This is why each state and territory only asks children to stay home when it's needed to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Sometimes your child's medical certificate may not match their school's exclusion policy.

When this happens, your child's school has the right to make the final decision if they can return to school.

It is your doctor's job to say what's making your child sick.

It is the school's job to follow their exclusion guidelines to protect other children, staff and the broader community.

If you have questions or concerns, phone your local public health unit or speak with your child's doctor or school.

• Visit NSW Health to learn more about stopping the spread of infections that need school exclusion.
• Learn about some of the different infections that need school exclusion (Opens in new tab) on the Queensland Health website.
• You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service has information on hand hygiene (Opens in new tab) in community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Visit Perth Children's Hospital website to learn about Keeping our Mob Healthy (Opens in new tab); a set of factsheets for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.