Key information
- If you think your child may need prescription medication, bring the Authorisation for Administration of Student Medication form (PDF, 207KB) to the doctor’s appointment. You will need to provide this to the school.
- Schools only accept prescribed medication in the dispensed, labelled container. They accept non-prescribed medication in the original over-the-counter packaging.
If your child requires medication while they are at school, you must meet with your child’s teacher and/or principal to ensure that the school staff know how to give your child their medicine.
Medication should only be prescribed during school hours when absolutely necessary.
You and/or a doctor may authorise self-administration of some medication. This must be stated in the medical action and management plan.
You must tell the school and provide permission, for any non-prescribed (e.g., paracetamol) or prescribed medication taken by your child at school.
The school will ask you to…
- Complete a written request to the school to administer the medication. You can download and print the Authorisation for Administration of Student Medication form (PDF, 207KB).
- Provide signed authorisation from your medical practitioner/pharmacist or practice nurse. This should give specific instructions for the administration of the medication.
- Transfer the medication safely to the school and hand it to the office staff to sign in.
- Provide the medication in the originally prescribed containers only.
- Help prepare a Medical Action Plan and a Medical Management Plan for your child if they need ongoing medication.
How you can help
- Ask your doctor to prescribe medication doses out of school hours where possible.
- Ensure to fill regular scripts on time and the school doesn’t run out of medication.
- If you think your child may need prescription medications, bring the Authorisation for Administration of Student Medication form (PDF, 207KB) to the doctor’s appointment.
What your school will do
- Your school maintains an official register for the administration of medication to students. This is to comply to the 2018 Poisons Regulations.
- Schools keep a medication register of Schedule 8 medicines/drugs of addiction for individual students. They follow additional storage and administration practices to ensure safe administration.
- Schools only accept prescribed medication in the dispensed, labelled container. They accept non-prescribed medication in the original over-the-counter packaging.
- Two people should be present when any medication is administered.
- The school keeps all medication under lock and key, except for EpiPens and Glucagon. These may be kept in a first aid kit or near a student for whom an EpiPen or Glucagon has been prescribed. Students may carry Ventolin inhalers.
- Training will be provided for all first aid qualified staff in schools. Additional training is provided for staff where required for the administration of certain medication such as EpiPens.
Where can I get more information?
- Talk to your child’s school nurse, teacher or principal.