The New South Wales Parliament has passed new laws covering childcare centres and vaccination.

From next January, a childcare centre can refuse to enrol a child whose parents or guardians cannot show proof of vaccination or provide an approved exemption.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner says parents who are seeking an exemption will first need to speak to a general practitioner.

Childcare centres will face fines if they do not complete checks to ensure a child is vaccinated, or that they have exemption.

Health experts have warned of increasing instances of whooping cough across the state, which they attribute to low immunisation rates.

A recent report found that in the far north coast town of Mullumbimby, less than half of young children were fully immunised.