Immunisation
The ACT Department of Health advises that all children attending school in the ACT should be immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and HIB (Haemophilus influenza type b). We would ask that you check your child's present immunisation status to see whether it is complete for his/her age. ACT Public Health regulations require schools to request proof of up-to-date immunisation when enrolling. Failure to provide this may result in your child being excluded from school should an outbreak of an infectious disease occur. A copy of exclusion periods for students with infectious diseases is available. Parents are asked to adhere closely to these requirements unless medical advice to the contrary is provided in writing.
Insurance
The Education and Training Directorate does not provide any insurance cover for injury, disease or illness to students resulting from school activities or school-organised excursions. Claims for compensation are met where there is a legal liability to do so. Liability is not automatic and depends on the circumstances in which any injury, disease or illness was sustained.
As there is no automatic insurance cover for personal injury if your child is injured at school or during a school-organised activity or excursion, parents should consider whether taking out personal insurance cover for these circumstances is warranted. This insurance might cover contingencies including medical/hospital expenses, ambulance transport outside the ACT and cancellation of transport or accommodation or loss of or damage to luggage.
The ACT Ambulance Service provides free ambulance transport for students who are injured or suddenly become ill at school or during an approved school organised activity but this is within the ACT only.
Where parents or other parties wish to make a claim against the Directorate for payment of medical or other costs, or for compensation, please write to the Senior Manager, Governance and Legal Liaison, in the Education Directorate.
The Senior Manager
Governance and Legal Liaison
ACT Education Directorate
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Or email: EDULegalLiaison@act.gov.au