G A Holdings (Qld) Pty Ltd as Trustee for A G Holdings Unit Trust has been fined $15,000 after a 23-month-old child in the care of Alexandra Hills Early Education left a bush excursion unnoticed and was unsupervised for up to 23 minutes. The child's absence was discovered during a head count. The child was located by a member of the public and returned to the service.
No conviction was recorded.
The Department of Education, as the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, prosecuted the service's approved provider after its investigation into the 25 September 2024 incident.
G A Holdings (Qld) Pty Ltd as Trustee for A G Holdings Unit Trust pleaded guilty to 2 charges:
- Section 165 of the National Law—Offence to inadequately supervise children
- Section 167 of the National Law—Offence relating to protection of children from harm and hazards.
The fine of $15,000 reflects the seriousness of these offences, that could result in a child's serious injury or death.
On 8 June 2026, in deciding the defendant's guilt and sentence, Magistrate Michael Holohan found that the excursion risk assessment was insufficient and noted that risk assessments should be so robust that no child is placed at risk of harm.
Magistrate Holohan also acknowledged the guilty plea and recorded no conviction against the defendant.
This prosecution sends a strong message to approved providers that they have an overriding responsibility to ensure children are adequately supervised and accounted for at all times, including on excursions. Remember—it only takes a moment.
The department will continue to work with the early childhood sector to promote supervision and safe environments for children.
Outdoor space—which includes adequate supervision, risk assessment and management, and incident prevention and management—is one of the Regulatory Authority's
key priority areas for regulation.
If an approved provider's steps to ensure children's health and safety are inadequate, the Regulatory Authority will take appropriate action.
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