Immunisation - Schools

Schools can enrol both vaccinated and unvaccinated students but must keep a register of students’ immunisation status.

The NSW Public Health Act (2010) requires schools to request an approved AIR Immunisation History Statement at enrolment that shows the newly enrolled student’s immunisation status.

Schools must keep a register of the immunisation status of students at enrolment. They must notify their Public Health Unit in certain circumstances when there is a vaccine preventable disease.

If the parent cannot produce an approved AIR Immunisation History Statement, a school can still enrol the student. The student should be recorded as unvaccinated in the school’s immunisation register.

Any student recorded as not fully immunised may be directed to not attend school if there is an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease. If an unimmunised child comes in contact with a vaccine preventable disease outside school, they may also be directed to not attend school.

The AISNSW Immunisation Fact Sheet: Schools provides further details about the responsibilities for schools, including:

• enrolment requirements
• approved proof of immunisation
• immunisation register and record keeping requirements
• notification requirements.

There are different requirements for approved early childhood services. See the Immunisation – Early Childhood webpage for information for Early Childhood services.