Immunisation and illness: the rules for Victorian childcare
No Jab No Play, immunisation history statements and how long to keep your child home for common illnesses.
🩺 Health, safety & wellbeing · 5 min read
Key facts
- Victoria's No Jab No Play law requires proof of immunisation status before enrolment can be confirmed.
- An Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register is the accepted evidence.
- Exclusion periods for infectious illnesses are set by the Department of Health, not by the centre.
What you need to enrol
Under No Jab No Play, families must provide an Immunisation History Statement showing the child is up to date, on a recognised catch-up schedule, or has a medical exemption. You can download the statement through your myGov Medicare account or the Express Plus Medicare app.
Common exclusion periods
These are general guides. Always follow the current Victorian Department of Health advice and the direction of your centre, which may differ during an outbreak.
- Gastro (vomiting or diarrhoea): exclude until 24-48 hours after symptoms stop, per current health advice
- Fever: keep home until the child has been fever-free without medication and is well enough to participate
- Hand, foot and mouth: exclude until blisters have dried
- Chickenpox: exclude until all blisters have crusted over
- Conjunctivitis: exclude until discharge has stopped
- Head lice: return after treatment has begun
Medication and medical plans
Any medication given at the centre must be in its original packaging, prescribed for your child and accompanied by written authorisation. Children with asthma, anaphylaxis, allergies, epilepsy or diabetes need a medical management plan and a risk minimisation plan completed with your GP.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child attend childcare if they are not immunised?+
Only if they have an approved medical exemption or are on a recognised catch-up schedule. Under Victoria's No Jab No Play law, other unimmunised children cannot be enrolled.
Do I still pay fees when my child is home sick?+
Yes — your place is held and fees still apply, but the Child Care Subsidy covers a set number of allowable absence days each financial year.
Keep reading
Allergies, dietary needs and food safety at childcare
The documentation you'll need, how risk minimisation works in practice, and questions to ask about the kitchen.
Child Safe Standards: what every parent should know
What Victoria's Child Safe Standards require, what good practice looks like, and how to raise a concern.
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