Service assessment and rating
The Regulatory Authority
assesses and rates National Quality Framework (NQF) services against the National Quality Standard (NQS), comprising 7 quality areas focusing on important outcomes for children. Services can receive 1 of 5 possible ratings:
- Excellent (awarded by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority)
- Exceeding the NQS
- Meeting the NQS
- Working towards the NQS
- Significant improvement required.
94% of Queensland services assessed and rated compared with
91% nationally*.
*For the latest national assessment and ratings data, visit the
NQF Snapshot webpage.
NQF services assessed and rated
The table below shows the number and type of assessment and ratings completed by the Regulatory Authority in Q2, 2023–24 FY. Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Services assessed and rated | 157 | 106 | 156 | +0.6% |
| Full assessment and rating | 137 | 99 | 140 | -2.1% |
NQF services applying for first tier review of an assessment and rating decision
In a small number of cases, approved providers choose to apply for a first tier review of a quality rating issued by the Regulatory Authority.
The table below shows the number of applications for first tier review received by the Regulatory Authority in Q2, 2023–24 FY and their outcome. Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Applications for first tier review | 7 | 3 | 2 | +250% |
| Number resulting in a change to overall rating | 1 | 1 | 0 | N/A |
| Number resulting in no change to overall rating | 5 | 2 | 2 | +150.0% |
94% of Queensland services have a quality rating compared with 91% nationally.
79% of services sustained or improved their quality rating at their next assessment*.
1% increase increase in the number of services meeting or exceeding the NQS since 31 December 2022.
90% of Queensland services are meeting or exceeding the National Quality Standard, which is the same nationally.
*Based on the current and previous quality rating of approved ECEC services in Queensland as at 31 December 2023.
Percentage of services meeting or exceeding the NQS
The table below shows the percentage of ECEC services that have a current quality rating of either Meeting the NQS, Exceeding the NQS or Excellent as at 31 December 2023 (Q2, 2023–24 FY). Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Long day care | 91.3% | 91.3% | 92.2% | -0.9% |
| Outside school hours care | 86.8% | 86.6% | 87.0% | -0.2% |
| Kindergarten | 95.1% | 95.3% | 95.5% | -0.4% |
| Family day care | 64.8% | 64.8% | 68.8% | -4.0% |
Number and percentage of services by quality rating
The table below shows the number and percentage of ECEC services by quality rating as at 31 December 2023 (Q2, 2023–24). Figures are provided for earlier quarters for comparison.
| Excellent | 7 | 0.2% | 7 | 0.2% | 7 | 0.2% | No change |
| Exceeding the NQS | 634 | 20.9% | 677 | 22.4% | 758 | 25.5% | -4.6 |
| Meeting the NQS | 2,087 | 68.9% | 2,033 | 67.3% | 1,933 | 65% | +3.9 |
| Working towards the NQS | 302 | 10% | 302 | 10% | 277 | 9.3% | +0.7 |
Significant improvement required*
| 1 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
*The Queensland Regulatory Authority works closely with any service rated Significant Improvement Required (SIR), to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of children. The SIR rated service in Queensland noted in this table was reassessed late 2023, and is no longer rated SIR.
Percentage of services meeting or exceeding the NQS according to quality area
Educational program and practice:
92%
Children's health and safety:
95%
Physical environment:
96%
Staffing arrangements:
98%
Relationships with children:
97%
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities:
97%
Governance and leadership:
93%