A 3-year-old boy is brought to a metropolitan emergency department with a 24-hour history of fever to 39.2 °C and ear pain. He is otherwise well, drinking adequately and appears comfortable after a dose of oral paracetamol. Otoscopy shows a bulging, erythematous left tympanic membrane without perforation. He has no history of recurrent ear infections or chronic suppurative otitis media. According to Australian paediatric guidelines, what is the most appropriate initial management?