Decisions
Once the assessment of the application or notification is complete, the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (Regulatory Authority) will advise the applicant in writing on the outcome of the decision.
Provider approvals are granted subject to the conditions in section 19 of the National Law. The Regulatory Authority will issue a certificate for a provider approval which must be displayed at the approved provider's premises once a service approval is granted.
Service approvals are granted subject to the conditions in section 51 of the National Law. The Regulatory Authority will issue a certificate for a service approval which must be displayed at the service premises.
The Regulatory Authority may impose additional conditions on:
- provider approvals
- service approvals
- waivers
- transfers.
For the approval of combined applications made under the National Law and for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approval, it is important to note that while applications can be assessed at the same time, approval will be granted separately. This is because the Australian Government cannot grant CCS approval until the applicant has been granted approval under the National Law. If you have questions relating to CCS approval, please email CCSassessments@education.gov.au.
Reviews
If an applicant believes the Regulatory Authority’s decision is unreasonable, unfair, or unmeritorious, they may apply to have an internal review.
Reviewable decisions
Section 190 of the National Law outlines which decisions are eligible for internal review. This includes decisions to refuse or refuse to amend provider and service approvals, decisions to impose conditions on provider and service approvals, refusals to consent to transfer of a service approval, and decisions to revoke a service waiver.
When to submit
Applications for internal review must be made within 14 days of the day on which applicants were notified or became aware of the decision.
What to submit with an application
Applicants must complete the approved form. The application must include a statement setting out:
- the details of the decision, or part of the decision, for which review is sought
- how the decision affects the applicant
- the grounds for seeking a review of the decision; for example, why the original decision was unreasonable, unfair, or unmeritorious.
How to submit
Applications on the approved form should be submitted online using the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQA ITS) via the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) website. Alternatively, an applicant can complete a manual form (PDF, 323KB) and send it to the Regulatory Authority directly by email or post, within 14 days of becoming aware of the decision.
Assessment of applications for internal review
Internal reviews are undertaken by a person who was not involved in the assessment of the application, including the original decision-maker and any regulatory officers involved in collecting information or preparing recommendations for the original decision.
The internal review will be conducted within 30 calendar days of receiving the application, however the Regulatory Authority may extend the timeframe by up to 30 calendar days by mutual agreement with the applicant.
Read more about how the internal review decision is assessed and determined in part six of the public procedure—Regulating for quality: Determining applications for early childhood services procedure (PDF, 340KB).
Help and support
If you have questions about internal reviews of application decisions, email ecis@qed.qld.gov.au.