childcare exclusion periods australia — when can my child go back?
milly is an early childhood health writer and mum of two who has reviewed the NHMRC guidelines to help parents navigate childcare illness policies.
when your child gets sick, one of the first questions is: how long do they need to stay home from childcare? Australian health guidelines set minimum exclusion periods for infectious conditions to protect other children and staff.
these exclusion periods are based on the NHMRC's Staying Healthy guidelines (5th edition) — the national standard used by childcare centres across Australia. tap any illness below for the full breakdown including symptoms, incubation period, and when your child can return.
quick reference — exclusion periods at a glance
| illness | exclusion period |
|---|---|
| gastroenteritis (gastro) | until 24 hours after last vomiting or diarrhoea |
| hand, foot and mouth disease | until all blisters have dried |
| chickenpox (varicella) | until all blisters have crusted over — usually at least 5 days after the rash first appears |
| conjunctivitis | until discharge from the eyes has stopped, unless a doctor has diagnosed non-infectious conjunctivitis |
| head lice | until treatment has commenced — the child does not need to be lice-free before returning |
| impetigo (school sores) | until appropriate antibiotic treatment has started and all sores on exposed skin are covered with a watertight dressing |
| measles | for at least 4 days from the onset of the rash |
| whooping cough (pertussis) | for 21 days from the onset of cough, or for 5 days after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment |
| ringworm | until the day after appropriate antifungal treatment has started |
| influenza (flu) | until the child is well — there is no set minimum exclusion period |
| COVID-19 | until acute symptoms have resolved — there is no longer a mandatory isolation period |
| croup | no exclusion required unless the child is unwell — croup is not a notifiable condition |
| RSV (bronchiolitis) | no mandatory exclusion period — exclude while the child is acutely unwell |
choose an illness
until 24 hours after last vomiting or diarrhoea
until all blisters have dried
until all blisters have crusted over — usually at least 5 days after the rash first appears
until discharge from the eyes has stopped, unless a doctor has diagnosed non-infectious conjunctivitis
until treatment has commenced — the child does not need to be lice-free before returning
until appropriate antibiotic treatment has started and all sores on exposed skin are covered with a watertight dressing
for at least 4 days from the onset of the rash
for 21 days from the onset of cough, or for 5 days after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment
until the day after appropriate antifungal treatment has started
until the child is well — there is no set minimum exclusion period
until acute symptoms have resolved — there is no longer a mandatory isolation period
no exclusion required unless the child is unwell — croup is not a notifiable condition
no mandatory exclusion period — exclude while the child is acutely unwell
important notes for parents
exclusion periods in this guide are based on the national Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services guidelines published by the NHMRC (5th edition).
your centre may be stricter: individual childcare centres can set their own illness policies that exceed the minimum NHMRC guidelines. always check with your centre before sending your child back.
common colds: there is no mandatory exclusion for a common cold, but keep your child home if they are too unwell to participate in normal activities or have a fever.
related guides
this guide is for informational purposes only. exclusion periods are based on the NHMRC's Staying Healthy guidelines and were accurate at the time of writing. always consult your child's GP or childcare centre for specific advice. mini mode is not a medical service and is not affiliated with any government department.