Educator Explainer: The New Biological Hazards Code in Early Childhood Settings

On 3 March 2026, Safe Work Australia released the Biological Hazards Code of Practice. For the first time, early childhood settings, is explicitly recognised as a workplace exposed to predictable biological hazards, things like bodily fluids, vomit, faecal matter, respiratory droplets, and high‑touch contamination cycles. Learn how it works alongside Staying Healthy in Childcare, with practical examples, incident response steps, and compliance paperwork explained clearly.

This does not mean educators’ daily hygiene practices are suddenly “illegal.” It means providers must treat infection‑control cleaning as a safety‑critical function with documented systems, training, and support.

Practical Examples of Implementation

1. Blood Spill Response

Current practice (Staying Healthy): Educators wear gloves, use paper towels, disinfect the area, and dispose of waste safely.
New Code expectation: Providers must have a documented biohazard response procedure with escalation triggers (e.g., if blood is widespread or involves multiple children, a trained cleaner is called). Evidence of the clean‑up (checklist or log) is required.

2. Vomiting Incident

Current practice: Educators clean the area, disinfect surfaces, and isolate contaminated materials.
New Code expectation: Centres must show that educators are not left alone on ratio during the clean‑up. A second staff member supervises children while the incident is managed. PPE use and cleaning verification are recorded.

3. Toilet Accident

Current practice: Educators clean the floor, sanitise, and change the child.
New Code expectation: The task is logged as a biohazard clean‑up. Providers must demonstrate that staff were trained in infection‑control cleaning methods and that the incident was managed according to WHS procedures.

4. High‑Touch Surface Cycles

Current practice: Educators wipe down tables, toys, and doorknobs regularly.
New Code expectation: Centres must have a structured cleaning schedule with verification (e.g., daily tick‑off sheets signed by staff). Providers must ensure cleaners or educators have infection‑control training for these routines.

5. Escalation Triggers

Example: If multiple children vomit in quick succession, the Code expects a system where educators can escalate to management, who then arrange for trained cleaners or additional support. This prevents educators from being overwhelmed while maintaining supervision.

Staying Healthy in Childcare

Educators should continue to rely on Staying Healthy in Childcare for the how‑to of cleaning safely:

Cleaning bodily fluids (blood, vomit, toileting accidents)
Using gloves and PPE for hygiene tasks
Maintaining safe environments through routine cleaning and sanitising

The new Code does not replace these practices. It simply requires providers to prove they are happening consistently, with systems that can be audited.

How Staying Healthy in Childcare Fits In

Educators should continue to follow Staying Healthy in Childcare for the how‑to of cleaning up bodily fluids safely (gloves, disinfectants, disposal). The new Code adds the compliance layer:

Providers must document these routines.
Centres must verify that infection‑control training is provided.
Systems must ensure educators are not left unsupported during high‑risk incidents.

What Paperwork Looks Like

Yes, there is more documentation, but it’s aimed at providers, not educators:

Incident logs for biohazard clean‑ups
Daily checklists for high‑touch surfaces
Escalation records when extra support is called in
Training registers showing staff have infection‑control training
Policy updates reflecting the new Code

Examples of Paperwork & Systems Required

Incident logs: Every time a biohazard clean‑up occurs (vomit, blood, toileting accident), staff record what happened, what PPE was used, and who assisted.
Checklists: Daily tick‑off sheets for high‑touch surfaces (tables, toys, doorknobs) signed by staff to verify completion.
Escalation records: If an incident required calling in extra support or cleaners, that escalation is documented.
Training registers: Centres must keep evidence that staff have been trained in infection‑control cleaning methods.
Policy updates: Service policies and procedures must be updated to reflect the Code, showing how the hierarchy of controls is applied.

Why This Matters

Educators continue their hygiene duties guided by Staying Healthy.
Providers carry the responsibility for systems, paperwork, and compliance.
The Code is designed to protect educators, not burden them.

Step‑by‑Step Checklist: Biological Hazards Code

1. Know the Code

Childcare is now formally recognised as a biohazard‑exposed workplace.
Hazards include bodily fluids, vomit, faecal matter, respiratory droplets, and high‑touch contamination cycles.

2. Keep Using Staying Healthy

Follow existing guidance for cleaning bodily fluids.
Always use gloves and PPE.
Maintain safe environments with routine sanitising. The Code does not replace Staying Healthy; it adds compliance requirements for providers.

3. Respond to Incidents

Blood spill: Clean safely, log the incident, escalate if significant.
Vomiting: Ensure one staff member supervises while another cleans; record PPE use.
Toilet accident: Manage child care and clean; log as a biohazard task.
High‑touch surfaces: Follow a structured schedule with daily tick‑off sheets.

4. Escalate When Needed

If multiple children vomit or contamination is widespread, escalate to management.
Management arranges trained cleaners or extra support.

5. Paperwork & Systems

Incident logs for every biohazard clean‑up.
Daily checklists for high‑touch surfaces.
Escalation records when extra support is called.
Training registers showing infection‑control training.
Policy updates reflecting the new Code.

6. Provider Responsibility

Providers must ensure educators are supported, not left alone on ratio.
Compliance is about systems and documentation — not adding hidden workload to educators.

This is not about fear. It’s about recognising childcare as a high‑risk environment and ensuring educators are supported with proper WHS systems.