Mandatory requirement from 27 February 2026
The new child safety training is mandatory for all staff and volunteers, including students, working in the education and care sector, whether or not they work directly with children.
You will need to complete the training if you are a:
- person with management or control (PMC) of a service
- nominated supervisor of a service
- person in day-to-day charge of a service
- staff member of the service, including family day care educators
- volunteer at the service, including if you are a student.
Why the training matters
Every child deserves a safe and supportive environment. This training ensures everyone involved in early childhood has the knowledge and skills and confidence they need to understand, prevent, recognise and respond to child safety concerns.
Tailored and accessible
The training is free and accessible online via the Geccko platform.
Note: This is the only child safety training recognised as meeting the new requirement in the National Law.
Course content
The foundations of child safety training includes 2 courses:
- understanding child safety
- understanding and identifying child abuse and neglect.
The training is evidence-informed, trauma-aware, culturally considered, and aligned with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
It is expected the foundation training module will take about 2 hours to complete.
All those who complete the mandatory child safety training will receive a certificate of completion. You must provide the certificate to the approved service and provider as evidence you completed the training.
Advanced modules are expected to be available from July 2026 and must be completed by PMCs, nominated supervisors, persons in day-to-day charge and staff who work directly with children.
Support
The Australian Government has support available to help some staff complete the training. Access service closures to support mandatory child safety training—Department of Education, Australian Government for more information.
The new national child safety training is a landmark national initiative—a key part of comprehensive child safety reforms across Australia's early childhood education and care sector.
It's a collaborative effort led by the Australian Centre for Child Protection, funded by the Queensland Government, and supported by the Australian Government and other state and territory governments.
More information