Staphylococcus aureus remains the most common organism causing AO and SA; however, community-acquired methicillin-resistant strains are now occurring. Haemophilus influenzae is no longer a common cause of SA. Our study supports the current Australian antibiotic guidelines that recommend flucloxacillin alone as the empiric treatment of choice of both AHO and SA in children fully immunised against Hib. However the possibility of community-acquired MRSA should be considered, particularly in high risk groups such as indigenous Australian children or children from regional areas with a high rate of community-acquired MRSA.