Baby Change Facilities – FAQs in Australia

With an average of 864 babies born each day in Australia, providing a hygienic and safe place to change a baby is a basic need to ensure comfort and happiness of a child. However with children being unable to communicate easily, the short time frame between the baby being comfortable and then requiring a change can be stressful for a parent if they can’t find appropriate changing facilities.

So what are the rules and regulations for baby changing facilities in Australia?

• Is it a legal requirement to have baby change facilities in Australia?

Currently in Australia, it is only legally required to provide baby change facilities if you are an education or care service provider for children who wear nappies. 

• What should the baby changing facilities include?

The facilities must include a stable surface for changing nappies, hand washing facilities for adults in the immediate vicinity of the change area, sanitary facilities for soiled nappies, and if the service provider is responsible for laundering soiled clothing, adequate facilities and instructions on washing the clothes.

• Do all businesses need to provide a baby change facility? What if I don’t?

Not all businesses need to provide baby change facilities. Evaluate your business type when considering if change facilities are necessary. Obviously if you’re in the construction industry or other dangerous industries, there is going to be very few customers that bring in their babies. However, if you run a baby-related business such as a daycare or are a supplier of kids clothing, you will have a higher proportion of your customers bringing in their babies. If you can provide a safe and hygienic environment for your customers to change their children, they may spend more time and money with your business so the investment will pay off in the long run. 

• Where should the nappy waste go?

Although not classified as clinical waste, if possible the used nappies should not be thrown into general waste.  It is recommended that premises generating sanitary hygiene waste develop procedures for managing this type of waste which provide clear guidance and information on how to handle, store, transport and dispose of the waste. 

At Fresh and Clean, we can provide your facility with a baby change table and nappy units. Our baby change tables are highly durable yet designed for your customer’s comfort, and include protective straps, antimicrobial material, and secure steel hinges – for complete safety. We can also provide a nappy disposal service, where we come and replace your entire bin (minimising germ transfer), at an agreed schedule.

On our managed rental service we will consistently maintain your washroom for a monthly fee, so you don’t have to worry about the upkeep and can focus on your business.