Administration of Authorised Medication Policy

NQS

National Regulations

EYLF

Aim

Educators can safely administer any medication as necessary to children with the written authority of the child's parents. For the purpose of this policy; creams including nappy rash cream are considered medication. All medication must be labelled with a pharmacy label or accompanied by a doctor's letter. It is important to follow strict procedures to promote the health and wellbeing of each child using the service.

In this policy, the term medication is defined within the meaning of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and includes prescription, over the counter and complementary medicines. All therapeutic goods are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (see tga.gov.au) (ACECQA, 2021)

Related Policies

• Enrolment Policy
• Health, Hygiene and Safe Food Policy
• Medical Conditions Policy

Implementation

• All newly engaged educators and employees are provided with a copy of the Medical Conditions Policy and Administration of Medication Policy as part of their induction process.
• Educators will ensure that the Administration of Authorised Medication Record is completed for each child who requires medication. A separate form must be completed for each medication if more than one is required.
• Bepanthen (Nappy rash cream) is the only cream that can be applied without consent from a doctor provided the parents have signed the authorisation on the enrolment form. If it has not been signed then the steps below apply.
• Except in the case of an anaphylaxis and asthma emergency or for first aid, medication may only be administered by the educator with written authority signed by the child's parent or other responsible person named in the child's enrolment record that is authorised by the child's parents to make decisions about the administration of medication.
• Medication, prescribed by a general practitioner, provided by the child's parents must adhere to the following guidelines:
• the administration of any medication is authorised by a parent or guardian in writing
• medication is prescribed by a registered medical practitioner (with instructions either attached to the medication, or in written form from the medical practitioner)
• medication is from the original container
• medication has the original label clearly showing the name of the child
• medication is before the expiry/use by date.
• Over-the-counter medication, provided by the child's parents must adhere to the following guidelines:
• the administration of any medication is authorised by a parent or guardian in writing
• medication is from the original container/packaging
• medication includes instructions attached to the medication
• medication is before the expiry/use by date
• where possible, medication contains a label showing the child's name
• Any person delivering a child to the service must not leave medications in the child's bag or locker. Medication must be given directly to an educator for appropriate storage upon arrival.

Emergency Administration of Medication

For anaphylaxis or asthma emergencies, please see below.

• In the event of an emergency, educators must follow the Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy and complete the Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record.
• In the event of an emergency and where the administration of medication must occur, the educator must attempt to receive verbal authorisation by a parent or caregiver of the child named in the child's enrolment form who is authorised to consent to the administration of medication.
• If a parent or caregiver of a child cannot be contacted, the educator must attempt to receive verbal authorisation from an emergency contact of the child named in the child's enrolment form who is authorised to consent to the administration of medication.
• If none of the child's nominated contacts cannot be reasonably reached, the educator must contact a registered medical practitioner or an emergency service on 000.
• In the event of an emergency and where the administration of medication must occur, written notice must be provided to a parent of the child or other emergency contact person listed on the child's enrolment form as soon as practically possible.
• Authorisation for Paracetamol is provided by families on enrolment and may be administered for emergency use only such as a high temperature 38 degrees or above. Paracetamol must be kept in the first aid kit at residence or venue. If emergency Paracetamol is administered the child must be collected as soon as possible by a family member or authorised contact.

Emergency Involving Anaphylaxis or Asthma

• For anaphylaxis or asthma emergencies, medication may be administered to a child without an authorisation following the information listed above under Emergency Administration of Medication.
• The educator must contact the following as soon as practicably possible:
• A parent of the child.
• Emergency services.
• The child will be positively reassured and calmed.

Sources

• Education and Care Services National Regulations 2017
• National Quality Standard
• Early Years Learning Framework

Review

The policy will be reviewed annually. The review will be conducted by:

• Management
• Employees
• Families
• Interested Parties

Last reviewed: 28th May 2025

Date for next review: 28th May 2026