Child safety reform July update

​​​On 15 July 2026, Education Ministers agreed on additional reforms to further strengthen child safety in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

These reforms follow extensive consultation with families and the broader ECEC sector.

Supervision practices

• Providers will be required to have policies and procedures in place, in relation to ensuring child safeguarding through adequate supervision.

• Providers of centre-based services will be required to have a documented risk assessment and management plan for any circumstances involving sole educator supervision of children.

• Amendments to the National Law/Regulations will include circumstances where ‘across the service’ ratios should not be applied.

• Quality Area 4, Element 4.1.1 of the National Quality Standard will be strengthened.

Increasing transpa​rency for families

• Services will be required to display at the service how to access compliance information and notify families of compliance record changes within a specified timeframe.

• Regulation 167 will be amended to align compliance records with information published on StartingBlocks​.

• New guidance will support effective communication between services and families.

Persons with management or control (PMCs)

• Regulatory Authorities will be able to impose suspension and/or training directions on PMCs.

• Regulatory Authorities will have expanded powers to direct providers to remove unfit PMCs and prohibit individuals from acting as PMCs.

• Guidance and training will clarify PMCs' fitness and propriety requirements.

Board expertis​e

• Guidance will help boards understand their obligations and define 'ECEC expertise' and how it can be demonstrated.

Suspen​sion, supervision and training directions

• Regulatory Authorities will have expanded powers to impose directions on individuals as well as approved providers and to share relevant information.

• Guidance will clarify how these directions apply in practice.

Increased whistleblower protections

• Non-disclosure agreements (NDA) restricting reports of non-compliance under the National Law will be limited or prohibited.

• Guidance will clarify current whistleblower protections and what can be disclosed to Regulatory Authorities under an NDA.

Safer f​encing

• Fencing regulations will be strengthened by adding reference to the risk of entrapment and strangulation.

• The ability to apply for a service waiver for regulation 104 will be removed.

• Updated guidance on safe fencing will be developed in addition to an awareness campaign.

Out of Scope Community Child Care Fund Rest​ricted (CCCFR) services

• Transitioning relevant CCCFR services to be regulated under the National Quality Framework. Expected to occur over 5 years from 2027.

More information​

More information will be shared with the sector regarding the timeframes for these changes as it becomes available to assist with implementation and to enhance quality and safety. Legislative amendments are expected to occur in 2027.

Stay updated by visiting the Australian Government or the ACECQA websites.