Government updates on COVID-19

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.

Australian Government

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

ACT

General	Website
ACT Government	ACT \| COVID-19
ACT Education Directorate	Information about Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Education and Care 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 a confirmed COVID-19 case
Mask requirements	Information and guidance on face masks
Staff vaccinations	Information about staff vaccination requirements
Cleaning after COVID-19 case	Managing a confirmed case of COVID-19 in education and care services Information about cleaning and disinfection for schools \| Australian Government Department of Health
Other COVID-19 health and hygiene guidance	Health and hygiene for education and care services

NSW

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
Mask requirements	Information and guidance on face masks
Staff vaccinations	Information about staff vaccination requirements
Advice for families	Information for families about COVID-19 and early childhood education

NT

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	Notify the Department of Education Northern Territory of an incident or closure via the NQA IT System.
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.

QLD

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

SA

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

TAS

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

VIC

General	Website
Victorian Government	Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria

WA

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