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Child safety reforms

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On this page

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To ensure children are safe, supported and thriving, the Queensland Department of Education is strengthening current approaches and introducing a range of new initiatives and programs. These are designed to empower the sector and educators to further enhance safety and uphold the highest standards of quality care and include legislative amendments.

In addition, Queensland is also working closely with other states and territories, as well as the early childhood sector and experts, to expand safety measures and boost the quality of education and care services across the sector.

Strengthening child safety in early childhood education and care

Register your service for an upcoming Child Safety Reform (SCR) information session.

As agreed by Education Ministers, The Early Childhood Legislation Amendment (Child Safety) Bill 2025 has been introduced in the Victorian Parliament, on behalf of all states and territories. The Bill and the Explanatory Memorandum are available on the Victorian legislation we​bsite.

Ministers agreed that dedicated, committed early childhood educators are our greatest asset in caring for, educating and keeping our children safe. Ministers agreed to a range of legislative reforms and regulatory changes. A Decision Regulation Impact Statement and outcomes from public consultation have been released.

Key dates

  • 1 September 2025—regulatory amendments begin
  • End 2025—National Quality Framework (NQF) Statute of limitations, Enhancing Regulatory Authorities' ability to share information with current approved providers; Information sharing provisions with recruitment agencies legislative amendments commence
  • 1 January 2026
    • changes to the National Quality Standard commence
    • Child safe standards apply to Queensland ​services
    • removal of rest period conditions
  • 2 January 2026—National Quality Framework (NQF) penalty infringement notices and increased penalty amounts legislative amendments commence
  • 27 February 2026—all other National Quality Framework (NQF) legislative amendments begin
  • 1 July 2026—Reportable Conduct Scheme begins for ​Queensland ​services

Updates

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NQF legislative amendments

Learn about upcoming NQF legislative changes.
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Statement of Shared Commitment

Completed and rolled out to Queensland services from February 2025.
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Mandatory child protection training

Completed and rolled out to Queensland services from April 2025.
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Protective behaviours and guidance training

Free programs now available.
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NQF child safety guides

Guidance to help children's education and care services.
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National Model Code

Approved providers and their services can promote a child safe culture by adopting the voluntary National Model Code.
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Expanding transparency to support family decision-making

More information on the Starting Blocks website for families choosing safe, high-quality services.
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Child Safe Organisations standards

The standards will support services to prepare for the Child Safe Organisations Act that comes into effect.
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Reportable conduct scheme

To come into effect from July 2026.
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NQF amendments

From early 2026:

From 1 Jan 2026:

  • New wording added to the National Quality Standard Quality Area 2 and 7.

From 1 Sept 2025:

  • New policy and procedures required for services around digital technologies.
  • Notifiation timefracmes for allegations or incidents of physical and sexual abuse reduced from 7 days to 24 hours.
  • The use of vaping devices and substances prohibited in service environments.

Please access the information sheet (PDF,3.4MB) for more information.

From 2026 new NQF legislative requirements will come into effect, pending the passage of legislation.

Queensland early childhood regulatory priorities

Learn about the child safety and other regulatory priorities for 2025–27, which focus on improving compliance and service quality.

Upcoming initiatives

Child safety training package

Queensland is working closely with experts and fast-tracking the development of the nation's first formal Child Safety Training Package for all early childhood staff.

This new child safety training is a landmark national initiative, as part of the Child Safety Reforms and aims to strengthen child safety across Australia's ECEC sector.

Led by the Australian Centre for Child Protection (ACCP) and the Queensland Government on behalf of all state, territory and Australian governments, this nationally consistent, evidence-informed training package will support staff, volunteers and service leadership.

The Child Safety Training Package is scheduled to be available in 2026.

Reforming Early Childhood Safety Program

The Queensland Reforming Early Childhood Safety (RECS) Program is an education and training program to be rolled out in 2025–26 to support services to implement the national child safety reforms. It is delivered in partnership with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority.

Early childhood professionals working in Queensland regulated early childhood services will have access to the RECS program.

Queensland training and resources

Protective behaviours and behaviour guidance training

Free protective behaviours and behaviour guidance training, together with intensive face-to-face coaching, available for Queensland early childhood educators, in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and Autism Queensland.

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Last updated 13 November 2025