Government updates on COVID-19

The latest information for the children’s education and care sector and families.

Acecqa – The Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority
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The Australian Government and all state and territory governments are supporting children’s education care services and families with important information, guidance and the latest updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This page provides links to regulatory authorities and state and territory health departments to help you manage your service and minimise the impact of COVID-19. 

All information and guidance last updated on 8 September 2022.

General Website
Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment COVID-19 information for the early childhood education and care sector
Specific information and guidance Website
Testing requirements – PCR and Rapid antigen COVID-19 testing information 
Isolation requirements COVID-19 restriction checker
Service closure requirements Notify the Australian Government and your state or territory regulatory authority
COVID check-in / QR codes N/A
Mask requirements Information about face masks
Staff vaccinations COVID-19 vaccine information
Cleaning after COVID-19 case Consult with your state or territory regulatory authority
Other COVID-19 health and hygiene guidance Risk mitigation measures

General Website
NSW Health COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information
NSW Department of Education COVID-19 information for ECEC approved providers and services
Specific information and guidance Website
Testing requirements – PCR and Rapid antigen COVID-19 testing information
Isolation requirements Isolation information and guidance
Service closure requirements Information on managing positive cases
COVID check-in / QR codes Information on visitors attending services
Mask requirements Information and guidance on face masks
Staff vaccinations Information about staff vaccination requirements
Cleaning after COVID-19 case Information on cleaning after a COVID positive case
Advice for families Information for families about COVID-19 and early childhood education
Other COVID-19 health and hygiene guidance Health and hygiene for education and care services

General Website
NT Health Coronavirus (COVID-19)
NT Department of Education

Quality Education and Care NT – Department of Education 
NT Department of Education Pandemic Communications Portal has been developed to provide relevant point in time information and advice for Department of Education staff regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).
Specific information and guidance Website
Testing requirements – PCR and Rapid antigen COVID-19 testing information
Isolation requirements Isolation information and guidance
Service closure requirements

Services are advised to refer to the guidelines provided on the Quality Education and Care NT – Department of Education webpage.
Guidance is also provided through email guidance and managed on a case-by-case basis by NT Department of Education.
Mask requirements Information and guidance on face masks
Staff vaccinations Information about staff vaccination requirements
Cleaning after COVID-19 case Information on cleaning procedures after a COVID-19 case
Other COVID-19 health and hygiene guidance

Quality Education and Care NT – Department of Education
Guidance is also provided through ECEC guidelines developed and regularly updated by the regulatory authority and ECEC agency of the department; provided to services via email.

General Website
Queensland Government As we continue to live with COVID-19 in Queensland, it is important that services refer to current Queensland Health guidance and check regularly for updates on how to safely manage the virus.
QLD Department of Education Early childhood education and care information for approved providers and services
Specific information and guidance Website
Service closure requirements Notify the Queensland Department of Education of an emergency closure via the NQA IT System

General Website
SA Health COVID-19 health information
Education Standards Board Coronavirus (COVID-19) information
SA Department for Education COVID-19 – Early childhood service operations
Specific information and guidance Website
Testing requirements – PCR and Rapid antigen and Isolation requirements

COVID-19 testing information for preschool and early childhood services

COVID-19 testing information for school age services
Service closure requirements Notify the Education Standards Board of an emergency closure
Mask requirements Information and guidance on face masks
Staff vaccinations Information about staff vaccination requirements
Cleaning after COVID-19 case Guidance on cleaning of services after a COVID case
Other COVID-19 health and hygiene guidance Health and hygiene for education and care services

General Website
Department of Health Tasmania COVID-19 Health information
Department of Education Tasmania Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Education and Care
Specific information and guidance Website
Testing requirements – PCR and Rapid antigen COVID-19 testing information
Isolation requirements Isolation information and guidance
Service closure requirements Notify the Department of Education Tasmania of an incident or closure via the NQA IT System
COVID check-in / QR codes Information on the Check-in TAS QR Code
Mask requirements Information and guidance on face masks
Staff vaccinations Information about staff vaccination requirements
Cleaning after COVID-19 case Guidance on cleaning of services after a COVID case
Other COVID-19 health and hygiene guidance Other COVID safe requirements for education and care services

General Website
Victorian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria
Victorian Department of Education and Training COVID information for early childhood education and care
Specific information and guidance Website
Testing requirements – PCR and Rapid antigen COVID-19 testing information
Isolation requirements Isolation information and guidance for education and care
Service requirements – closures, mask requirements, staff vaccinations, cleaning ECEC COVID safe settings guidance
Other COVID-19 health and hygiene guidance Health and hygiene for education and care services

General Website
WA Department of Health COVID-19 (coronavirus)
WA Department of Communities, Education and Care Regulatory Unit COVID-19 coronavirus: Education and care services resources
Specific information and guidance Website
Testing requirements – PCR and Rapid antigen COVID-19 testing information
Isolation requirements Isolation information and guidance for education and care
Service closure requirements Notify the Department of Communities Education and Care Regulatory Unit of a positive case or closure via the NQA IT System
COVID check-in / QR codes Information on the ServiceWA app
Mask requirements Information and guidance on face masks
Staff vaccinations Information about staff vaccination requirements
Cleaning after COVID-19 case Guidance on cleaning of services after a COVID case
Other COVID-19 health and hygiene guidance Health and hygiene for education and care services