Parents who defy new regulations providing for children exposed to swine flu to be excluded from school are liable to fines of up to $500.
The Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Amendment Regulations 2009 that took effect on June 8 allow children and teachers to be sent home for up to seven days.
Regional medical officers of health can order the exclusions for people suffering from, suspected to be suffering from, or simply exposed to swine flu.
Parents, guardians, teachers and principals have to take reasonable steps to comply with the orders, and failure to do so is an offence.
Fines can be up to $500 with an extra $50 for each day the offence continued.
But schools can close altogether in the case of an epidemic or other emergency.
