From 1 January 2018, directors of centres cannot enrol a child unless the parent/guardian has provided an approved immunisation form that shows that the child:

• is fully immunised for their age, or
• has a medical reason not to be vaccinated, or
• is on a recognised catch-up schedule if the child has fallen behind with their immunisations. 

These changes have been made to strengthen vaccination enrolment requirements in child care. In particular, they will:

• send a strong public health message about the importance of vaccination
• reinforce for the broader community the overwhelming scientific evidence that vaccination is safe and highly effective in preventing disease
• help reduce the transmission of disease in certain geographical areas.

The changes will also align with national changes under the Australian Government’s No Jab No Pay initiative that removed the conscientious objection exemption in determining eligibility for child care and family assistance payments.

Vaccination is not compulsory and parents will continue to have the choice whether or not to vaccinate their child. However, conscientious objectors will no longer be able to enrol their children in child care and will need to make alternative arrangements.

These changes to the Public Health Act 2010 will remind parents about the importance of timely vaccination and help to reduce the risk of children contracting potentially deadly diseases such as whooping cough and meningococcal disease.

Children who are enrolled prior to 1 January 2018 will not be affected by the changed requirements, that is, if enrolling a child in 2017 to commence child care in 2018 parents may continue to submit any one of the four existing forms

• AIR Immunisation History Statement (sample)
• AIR Immunisation Medical Exemption Form
• AIR Immunisation History Form
• Interim Vaccination Objection Form

New offences have been created to ensure that principals only enrol children for whom the appropriate forms have been provided, and that these forms have not been forged or falsified, with fines up to $5,500.

This is in addition to the current regulatory activities undertaken by the Department of Education under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations.

To support compliance:

• an Immunisation Enrolment Toolkit for Early Childhood Education and Care Services has been finalised and is available on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/immunisation-enrolment-toolkit.aspx. Copies will be distributed to all ECECS in NSW in the coming weeks
• the Childcare and Pre-school Entry and Immunisation brochure for parents has been updated and is available at www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/parent-childcare-brochure.aspx. 10 copies of the brochure will be included with each Toolkit sent to ECECS and the brochure is being translated into 26 community languages
• an updated Immunisation Register Template (along with detailed Questions and Answers) is available at www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/vaccination_enrolment.aspx

For more Questions and answers about vaccination requirements for child care click here.