On 1 September 2026, the updated Education and Care Services Regulation 2026 (ECS Regulation) replaces the Education and Care Services Regulation 2013.
These updated requirements apply to Queensland education and care (QEC) approved services, which are not regulated under the National Quality Framework (NQF).
Most of the changes align with requirements that have already applied to NQF services for several years.
Why these changes are being made
The new ECS Regulation is based on reforms introduced in the National Regulations and responds to:
- reviews of the NQF
- the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- a coronial investigation.
What is changing
From 1 September 2026, the new ECS Regulation will include changes relating to:
- regular transportation of children by, or arranged by, a QEC approved service
- sleep and rest practices
- national child safe principles
- recommendations from the 2023 Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the NQF, including prohibiting vaping, policies and procedures for safe use of digital technologies and online environments, and notification timeframes for reporting physical or sexual abuse of a child at a service
- miscellaneous changes that clarify requirements and improve alignment with the National Regulations.
Transitional arrangements
Some changes will commence on 1 September 2026, while transitional periods of 1 month or 3 months will apply to other new requirements, depending on the nature of the change.
What QEC providers should do now
Approved providers can prepare for the new regulation by:
- familiarising themselves with the new regulatory requirements
- identifying any gaps in current practice
- reviewing and updating policies, procedures and records where needed
- supporting educators and staff to understand the changes
- communicating the changes to families.
Support for implementation
As these requirements have already applied to NQF services, the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority's (ACECQA) existing NQF resources can assist services to prepare for and implement the changes.
Further information
Visit the Education and Care Services Regulation 2026 page for more information on the new ECS Regulation.