National reform
In 2023, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) reported on their Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework (NQF).
In response, Education Ministers agreed that all states and territories would work towards implementing all 16 recommendations.
In August 2025, Education Ministers agreed on several priority reforms to the sector to urgently enhance child safety. These reforms included:
- making the safety, rights and best interests of children the biggest consideration in the operation of an education and care service
- establishing a national early childhood worker register
- mandating only service-issued devices for taking images or videos of children
- mandating child safety and child protection training for all staff, volunteers and students.
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In February 2026, Education Ministers agreed to further reforms and agreed to consult with the sector to inform implementation decisions.
National consultation was undertaken for the following 7 reform areas:
- supervision practices
- increasing transparency for families
- persons with management or control (PMC) fitness and propriety
- suspension, supervision and training directions and related information sharing provisions
- increasing whistleblower protections
- updating quality ratings for approved providers during or immediately following an investigation
- safer fencing.
Outcomes of the national consultation were presented to Education Ministers for final decision on implementation.
All Ministers agree that dedicated, committed early childhood educators are our greatest asset in caring for, educating and keeping our children safe.
The Australian Government, working with states and territories, is investing up to $189 million to strengthen safety and quality in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings and progress these reforms.
We will share updates on this webpage as they become available.
Mandatory national child safety training
The national child safety training is now mandatory for everybody working or volunteering in an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service regulated under the National Quality Framework (NQF).
The training is available through Geccko, the Australian Government’s learning management platform.
The training supports all people involved in ECEC to meet their legal child safety obligations, strengthen safeguarding practice and reduce harm to children.
All existing staff must complete foundation training by 27 August 2026.
Staff entering the sector from 14 August 2026 must complete foundation training by whichever occurs earlier:
- 27 August 2026
- 14 days from when they are employed
- before they work directly with children.
Staff must complete refresher training once every 2 years.
Certain staff must also complete advanced training within 6 months of course 5 being published, which is expected in September 2026.
If you require advanced training and start in the sector after course 5 is published, you must complete it within 3 months of your start date.
For more information and to register for Geccko, go to the Australian Government’s Department of Education website.
National Early Childhood Worker Register
The new National Early Childhood Worker Register gives regulatory authorities better visibility of who is working in the sector and where.
The register allows approved providers to enter information that they must collect and maintain about their staff.
Approved providers must keep the register up to date by entering or updating worker details within 14 days of any change. Examples of changes include:
- starting or finishing a role at the service
- changes to personal details, role, qualifications, training or background checks.
For more information, go to the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) website.
National CCTV assessment
The Australian Government will conduct a national assessment of CCTV in up to 300 services.
The CCTV assessment report will be delivered to ministers later in 2026 and provide advice on best practice use and operation of CCTV in services including privacy, storage and other matters.
For more information, go to the Australian Government's Department of Education website.