Last week, three Melbourne childcare centers received closure orders. All could have been prevented with proper NHMRC compliance. Here's your complete survival guide.
A childcare center owner in Brighton thought she was running a spotless facility. Then health inspectors arrived unannounced and found critical violations that cost her $35,000 in fines and a three-week closure.
"We were wiping down surfaces every day. But apparently we weren't documenting it properly, and we were using the wrong products in food areas. I had no idea we were breaking the rules."
This story is becoming increasingly common across Melbourne. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines that govern childcare cleaning aren't just recommendations—they're legally binding requirements that can shut down your business overnight.
The stakes have never been higher for Melbourne childcare operators
Centers can be shut down within hours of inspection for non-compliance
Per violation penalties that can bankrupt small centers
Revenue impact affecting long-term sustainability
Can take years to recover parent trust and enrollment
Personal and business liability for child illness or injury
Layoffs and operational chaos during closure periods
Inspectors are targeting five specific areas where 90% of violations occur
Where 90% of violations occur and how to avoid them
70% of infections start here
Reusing cleaning cloths between different surfaces, creating cross-contamination.
Install separate paper towel dispensers next to each changing station and color-code cleaning cloths.
Don't wait for an inspection to discover violations
Call 1300 728 617 NowFaced with these complex requirements, successful Melbourne centers are turning to specialized cleaning services
"I tried managing it internally for two years. We kept getting minor violations that were costing us time and stress. Now we have perfect compliance scores and I can focus on what I do best—caring for children."
Twenty Two Systems specializes in NHMRC-compliant cleaning for Melbourne childcare centers. Our certified professionals ensure complete regulatory compliance while reducing your administrative burden.
Free compliance assessment with comprehensive report and specific recommendations for improvement