The Isolated Children's Parents Associations of NSW (ICPA NSW) and Northern Territory are calling for the South Australian government to exempt "geographically isolated" children from the 14-day quarantine before they go back to school.
ICPA NSW president Claire Butler said children who lived in neighbouring states of NSW and NT but schooled in South Australia had to quarantine for 14 days before they would go to school, which posed economic, social and educational issues.
Mrs Butler said the situation as it stood was unworkable and unreasonable, given bush students from NSW and NT lived in isolation and there had been no reported COVID-19 cases in their council areas.
"We understand the need for caution. We understand we all have a responsibility to managing risk, given the COVID19 pandemic. In this case, we are asking authorities to consider a situation that has virtually no risk," Mrs Butler said.
She said there had been cases where children had not gone back to school as their parents did not want them to quarantine alone in boarding houses.
"Holidays in South Australia are coming up in three to four weeks and when they return back to school after the holidays they have to quarantine again," she said.
"The mental health of our children is also a consideration and a serious concern. Many parents will not to send their children back to isolate alone, and you can fully appreciate their decision".
ICPA NT president Sarah Cook echoed the Mrs Butler's sentiments saying families from the NT were faced with the same situation.
"Parents can't afford to be away from their family lives, their farm, their businesses and responsibilities for 14 days," Ms Cook said.