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, ensuring child safeguarding through adequate supervision.

• Providers of centre-based services will be required to establish and maintain documented procedures and undertake risk assessment plans for circumstances involving sole educator supervision of children.

• Amendments to the National Law will define the relevant considerations in determining 'adequate supervision'.

• As per the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)​ Rapid Assessment recommendations, amendments to the National Law will define where ‘under the roof’ ratios should not be applied and changes to the National Quality Standard, Quality Area 4, Element 4.1.1 will clarify adequate supervision practices.

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 and fiduciary responsibilities.
  

Board expertis​e

• Guidance will help boards understand their obligations and define 'ECEC expertise' through qualifications, experience or advisory roles.
  

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 regulation under the National Quality Framework 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.