Breast milk and formula are food under the National Regulations, so the service must handle them safely (r 77) and offer each child food and drink appropriate to their needs (r 78, 79). Under the NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines, freshly expressed breast milk keeps 6 to 8 hours at room temperature (26°C or lower) but should be refrigerated, for no more than 72 hours at 5°C or lower at the back of the fridge. Milk thawed in the fridge keeps 24 hours there; never refreeze thawed milk; and once a baby has started a feed, use it for that feed only and discard the rest. Label every bottle with the child’s name and date.
Storage times, labelling, warming and the regulations that apply when families send in expressed breast milk or formula.
| Breast milk | Room temperature (26°C or lower) | Fridge (5°C or lower) | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshly expressed into a closed container | 6 to 8 hours; refrigerate if you can | No more than 72 hours, at the back | 2 weeks in a freezer compartment inside the fridge; 3 months in a separate-door freezer; 6 to 12 months in a deep freezer |
| Previously frozen, thawed in the fridge, not warmed | 4 hours or less (the next feed) | 24 hours | Do not refreeze |
| Thawed outside the fridge in warm water | For completion of that feed | Hold 4 hours or until the next feed | Do not refreeze |
| Baby has begun feeding | Only for completion of that feed, then discard | Discard | Discard |
Source: NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines (2012), as reproduced by the Australian Breastfeeding Association and Munch & Move. Families should bring milk in an insulated container with the name and date written on it.
| Duty | Regulation |
|---|---|
| Staff and volunteers implement adequate health and hygiene practices and safe practices for handling, preparing and storing food | r 77 |
| Children have safe drinking water at all times and are offered food and beverages appropriate to their needs regularly through the day | r 78 |
| Food the service provides is nutritious, adequate, and chosen with regard to each child’s growth and development and cultural, religious or health needs | r 79 |
| A child with an allergy or medical condition affecting feeding needs a medical management plan and risk minimisation plan | r 90 |
Feeding is also part of the nutrition, food and beverages policy required by regulation 168, and of the food safety rules in food safety requirements.
Freshly expressed breast milk keeps up to 72 hours in a fridge at 5°C or lower (at the back), or 6 to 8 hours at 26°C or lower, under the NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines. Milk thawed in the fridge must be used within 24 hours and never refrozen.
No. Once a baby has started feeding, the milk is only for completing that feed and the rest is discarded.
With the child's name and the date it was expressed, transported in an insulated container and stored in the fridge as soon as it arrives.
The NSW Food Authority advises discarding unused infant formula after two hours at room temperature.
Treat it as an incident: tell both families, record it and review the checking procedure. Families may wish to seek medical advice.
WIDEN Law answers National Quality Framework questions with inline citations to the National Law, the Regulations and the NQS, so you can check the source provision yourself.
14-day free trial, no card →This page is a research summary, not legal or compliance advice. It is written in our own words from the sources linked on the page; confirm the position with your regulatory authority before relying on it for a compliance decision.