ECRU Update

Legislative Changes to Outside School Hours Care

Qualified educator requirements from 1 July 2023

The qualification requirements under the National Quality Framework (NQF) for
qualified educators of children over preschool age in outside school hours care
(OSHC) is one of the few areas where different jurisdictions have implemented different provisions.

In response to an approach by the WA OSHC sector in 2022, the Hon Sabine Winton MLA, Minister for Early Childhood Education has approved changes to the qualification requirements for educators of children over preschool age in OSHC. The legislative changes commenced on 1 July 2023 to align with
the commencement with the 2019 NQF Review legislative amendments.

The changes will apply only in WA and will replace the existing regulations 369 and 370 by combining regulation into a new regulation 369.

Under the new regulation 369

• The table of educator to child ratios remains unchanged.
• A distinction is made between the first and all other qualified educators by requiring a higher level of qualification for the first qualified educator to the other qualified educators.
• There will be provision for some (mainly the other qualified educators) to be able to be ‘actively working towards’ qualification rather than having to hold a completed qualification.

The changes will support services by increasing the potential workforce of educators of children over preschool age in OSHC and facilitate flexible workforce management.

For the purposes of the regulations the approved qualifications are determined administratively by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

For more information refer to the FAQs on the Legislation section of the ECRU website.