ECRU Sector Support

June 2026

Further to the frequently asked questions sent out on 3 June 2026, ECRU advise that FAQ.7 provided providers with general information regarding payment processes.

There are delays which are outside of ECRU's control, due to new legislation being passed this month and published. ECRU have been advised that the invoices to services are imminent, and as such the normal 30-day period will apply from the date of issue and late fee incurrence will apply if unpaid by due date of the invoice. 

Further advice regarding new expected timeframes from ACECQA will be communicated as they become available.

The Education and Care Services National Regulations set the fees for children’s education and care services under the National Quality Framework (NQF).

Governments are currently considering amendments to the fee schedules within the Education and Care Services National Regulations. Following the publication of these regulatory amendments, ACECQA will publish the updated annual fee schedule and issue invoices accordingly.

Fees for the 2026–2027 period will be published here once they become available. For further guidance on accessing and managing your annual fee invoices, please visit Indexed fees | ACECQA and consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below.

Annual Fees – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I find unpaid invoices in the portal?

Please visit the ACECQA National Quality Agenda IT System - Invoices for information on how to access invoices.

2. What can I do if my screen does not show the invoices search tab?

Contact your provider to check your level of access. Please visit How to Manage Your Portal Users for further information.

3. Do I still need to pay the annual fees invoice if the service is under voluntary suspension?

Yes, as an approved provider you are required to pay an annual fee for each service approval held, including those services that are suspended. This is set out in section 53 of the Education and Care Services National Law (WA).

4. Can I pay an invoice over the phone using credit card details?

No, credit card payments over the phone are not accepted. Please proceed with payment through the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQA ITS) portal.

5. What can I do if I can’t find the email with the link to pay the annual fee invoice?

You still can access the unpaid invoices via invoice search for unpaid invoices in the NQA ITS portal. Please refer to question 1 for further guidance.

6. Where can I find a breakdown of the annual fees for centre-based services and family day care? 

Please visit ACECQA’s webpage Indexed fees | ACECQA 2026-2027.

7. What happens if the annual fee invoice is not paid by the due date?

The Regulatory Authority may impose a late payment fee if an annual fee is not paid by the invoice due date. Please note that Applications will not be processed by the Regulatory Authority until the prescribed fee has been received.