Coloured sand recall

Update – 20 November 2025: The Australian Government has declared a Child Care Subsidy (CCS) period of emergency from 12–21 November 2025 in response to the play sand recall, allowing affected services to claim CCS while closed and to waive gap fees, with unlimited allowable absences for families during this period.

Information for Queensland FDC families and educators

Decorative and coloured sand products used in homes, schools and playgroups across Australia are being recalled after testing found small amounts of asbestos in some batches.

These products are often used in early childhood education and care services, including family day care, for sensory play and craft activities.

What we know so far

• The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued recall notices for a range of coloured sand and “magic sand” products sold between 2020 and 2025 through several large retailers.
• Expert health advice shared by the ACCC and the Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) says the risk to human health from these products is currently assessed as low, and the recall has been issued as a precaution while further testing is done.
• Asbestos is still treated very seriously. There is no safe level of asbestos, and authorities are working together nationally to remove affected products from use and support safe disposal.

For full product lists and recall notices, please refer to ACCC Product Safety.

What families and educators should do if they have the recalled sand

Based on current national advice:

• Stop using the sand immediately and keep it out of reach of children.
• Do not put the sand in household rubbish bins.
• If the sand is still in its original container or packet:
  • place it inside a heavy-duty plastic bag
  • tape the bag closed
  • store it in a secure place away from children.
• If the sand has been used in play trays or tubs:
  • avoid sweeping or vacuuming dry sand, as this can create dust
  • carefully dampen and wipe sand into a pile using wet cloths
  • wear disposable gloves and a mask
  • double-bag the used sand, cloths and PPE and store securely until disposal.

Disposal in Queensland – why advice may differ between councils

National guidance from the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency is to dispose of affected sand at licensed asbestos disposal facilities, not in general waste. They offer a searchable map of disposal facilities across Australia.

In Queensland:

• The Queensland Government’s asbestos information hub is asbestos.qld.gov.au, which links to state-based regulations and contacts. ACCC Product Safety+1
• Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr. Catherine McDougall, has advised families and educators that they should double-bag affected sand and wait for further clear disposal instructions from authorities or seek out local asbestos disposal options.
• Councils and waste facilities may have different rules about:
  • whether they accept asbestos waste from the public
  • whether there is a fee, and
  • how waste must be packaged.

Because of this, we recommend that families and educators:

1. Check the Queensland or national disposal facility finder to see which licensed sites are near them.
2. Phone their local council or chosen facility before visiting to:
   • confirm whether they are accepting small quantities of recalled coloured sand
   • ask about any fees or booking requirements
   • confirm packaging and drop-off instructions.

Reassuring families

Families may be feeling worried or confused. You can reassure them that:

• Authorities currently assess the risk from these products as low, and no routine medical checks are being recommended for children who have played with the sand.
• FDC services and educators are stopping use immediately, securing any affected products, and following official disposal advice.
• If families have ongoing concerns about their child’s health, they can speak with their GP or child health nurse.

For a parent-friendly summary with links, you might like to read and share the Play Matters Australia coloured sand safety alert (playmatters.org.au)

Stay up to date

This article is a general summary only, based on information available from the ACCC, the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, Queensland Health and other government sources as at 19 November 2025.

For the most up-to-date and detailed information, always check:

• ACCC Product Safety – recall and safe disposal advice
• Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency – national asbestos information and disposal facility map
• Queensland Government asbestos hub – state-specific information and contacts.

Family Day Care Queensland will continue to monitor updates and share key changes that affect family day care services, educators and families in Queensland.