The Australian Government is now in caretaker period. During this time, updates on this website will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, until after the election.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by infection with a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include fatigue, loss of taste or smell, and congestion or runny nose. COVID-19 is usually milder in children than in adults.
How it spreads
COVID-19 spreads by droplets in the air that contain the virus or direct contact with mucus or saliva. People get infected by:
- breathing in droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes on them
- touching a surface contaminated with droplets - for example, hands, tissues, toys or eating utensils - and then touching their mouth.
Vaccination and boosters against COVID-19 are available to everyone through the Australian National Immunisation Program.
Exclusion period
Refer to state or territory advice.
If a person has respiratory symptoms (cough, sneezing, runny or blocked nose, sore throat), exclude them only if:
- the respiratory symptoms are severe or
- the respiratory symptoms are getting worse (more frequent or severe), or
- they also have concerning symptoms (fever, rash, tiredness, pain, poor feeding).
Otherwise, do not exclude.
A person often has an ongoing cough after they have recovered from a respiratory infection. If their other symptoms have gone and they feel well, they can return to the service.
Risks in pregnancy
If you are pregnant, there is a higher risk of complications for yourself and your baby if you catch COVID-19. There is a very rare risk of premature birth, mainly in unvaccinated women. Staying up to date with vaccinations, washing hands regularly and wearing masks can help reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. Read more at Pregnancy and COVID-19.
Actions for educators and other staff
Encourage good respiratory and hand hygiene for all staff and children. Encourage COVID-19 vaccination for eligible people.
Check with your state or territory health department for local advice on managing COVID-19 infections.
Actions for parents and carers
If your child is eligible, the best way to protect them against COVID-19 is to get them vaccinated.
Most children who get COVID-19 have a mild infection that is like a common cold. Keep your child at home until their symptoms have gone and they feel well. If your child still has a cough, but their other symptoms have gone and they feel well, they can return to the service.
Teach them to cough and sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue into a bin and wash their hands.
Check with your state or territory health department for local advice on what to do when your child has COVID-19.
More information about COVID-19
See healthdirect for more information on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
To find out if a child needs medical help, you can:
- use the health direct online symptom checker
- speak to a registered nurse by calling their 24-hour health advice hotline on 1800 022 222.