Childcare gastro outbreaks and reporting in Tasmania

Who regulates childcare in Tasmania

The Education and Care Unit in the Department for Education, Children and Young People regulates education and care services under the National Quality Framework. It also licenses services that fall outside the national framework under Tasmania's Child Care Act.

Suspected gastro outbreaks must be notified

Tasmania's Public Health Act requires certain conditions to be notified to the Director of Public Health. Under the Guidelines for Notifying Diseases and Food Contaminants, the responsible person at a childcare facility who is aware of, or suspects, an outbreak of gastroenteritis must notify the Director of Public Health and give details of the cases.

The Department of Health notes this formalised what was already common practice: childcare centres and aged care homes have long reported outbreaks to public health.

How to report

Call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to report a suspected gastro outbreak. Public health staff assess the information, give prevention and control advice, and monitor the outbreak.

Why it matters in childcare

The Department of Health's Communicable Diseases Prevention Unit reported that childcare settings accounted for 45 of the 71 non-foodborne outbreaks notified in Tasmania in 2025. Most of these outbreaks are managed by the facility itself using its own processes and guidance such as Staying healthy and the national norovirus guidelines.

Exclusion periods

Tasmanian services generally base exclusion on the NHMRC's Staying healthy, together with the Department of Health's disease fact sheets and any advice from public health. Staying healthy recommends excluding children and staff with diarrhoea or vomiting until there has been none for at least 24 hours. Check your service's policy and follow public health advice during an outbreak, which may be stricter.

Your part

• Record every child or staff member with vomiting or diarrhoea, with dates.
• Tell your nominated supervisor as soon as you notice a second case.
• Step up hand washing with soap and water, cleaning and spill management, following your service's outbreak procedures.