Queensland Consolidated Acts

PUBLIC HEALTH ACT 2005 - SECT 181

181 Temporary closure of school, education and care service or QEC approved service

(1) The Minister may, by notice given to the person in charge of a school, education and care service or QEC approved service, order the closure of the school or service for a period of not more than 1 month if the Minister is satisfied—

(a) there is an outbreak of a contagious condition—

(i) at the school or service; or

(ii) in the community and there is a significant risk of children and staff at the school or service contracting the condition; and

(b) methods of controlling the outbreak will not be effective without the temporary closure of the school or service.

(2) However, the Minister must not close a school or service without first consulting—

(a) if the closure relates to a school—the Minister who administers the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 and the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017 ; or

(b) if the closure relates to an education and care service—the Minister who administers the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) ; or

(c) if the closure relates to a QEC approved service—the Minister who administers the Education and Care Services Act 2013 .

(3) The person in charge of the school or service must comply with the Minister’s order.

Penalty—

Maximum penalty for subsection (3) —100 penalty units.