Sector Update

August 2025

Changes to the NQF starting 1 September 2025 

From 1 September 2025, new regulatory requirements take effect in response to the review of child safety arrangements under the National Quality Framework (NQF).

The new requirements relate to:

• policies and procedures about safe use of digital technologies (including CCTV)
• notifying within 24 hours any incidents or allegations of physical or sexual abuse
• ensuring service environments are free from vaping substances and vaping devices.

ACECQA has published an information sheet to support services to prepare for the new requirements: NQF child safety changes from 1 September 2025.

Key regulatory changes on the way

The two new NQF Child Safety Guides can help approved providers and their services prepare for new requirements for:

• Safe use of digital technologies and online environments

Changes to regulation 168 mean providers will need to make sure services have a policy and procedures for the safe use of digital technologies and online environments at the service.

• Changes to notification timeframes for allegations or incidents of physical and sexual abuse

The timeframe for approved providers to notify the regulatory authority of any incidents or allegations of physical or sexual abuse to a child while being educated or cared for by an education and care service will reduce from 7 days to 24 hours. All other notification requirements remain the same.

• Services to be free from vaping substances and vaping devices

While service environments must already be free from the use of tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol, they will also need to be free from the use of vaping substances and vaping devices.

When do the changes start?

Changes to the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012 will commence on 1 September 2025.

From 1 January 2026, refinements to the National Quality Standard will sharpen the focus on child safety in Quality Areas 2 and 7.

Read more about the changes in this ACECQA information sheet: NQF child safety changes from 1 September 2025

Child Safety Resources

With the ongoing focus on child safety, ECRU would like to remind approved providers about some, of the many resources available to support decision making and practices in this area.  

1.      Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), in partnership with all governments, has developed two NQF Child Safety Guides with practical tools to support child safety in education and care services, including online. They are designed for approved providers, service leaders, educators and everyone working in education and care services.  

• The NQF Child Safe Culture Guide is a resource for services to help keep children safe, address risks, and respond to concerns and incidents.
• The NQF Online Safety Guide is there to support services to keep children safe when using digital technologies and online.

The NQF Child Safety Guides build on the NQF, National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and state/territory mandatory Child Safe Standards. They reflect that protecting children is everyone’s business.

2.      The National Model Code – Taking images in ECEC National Model Code – Taking images in early childhood education and care | ACECQA

3.      The Department of Communities, Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse in WA | Western Australian Government provides accurate, up to date resources, access to free training, and mandatory reporting and professional referrals pathways.

• Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse - Frequently asked questions 2025
• Mandatory Reporting Guide: Western Australia May 2025
• Mandatory reporting information sheet 5: responding to disclosures
• Early Childhood Workers - Information Sheet: Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse
• Information sheet 4: child sexual abuse in the online context

Resources to share with families:

1. The Australian Human Rights Commission has developed a factsheet to support parents to ask the right questions of organisations where their child is engaged National Principles for Child Safe Organisations: Guide for Parents and Carers.
2. Free Resources | Bravehearts provide access to a range of resources for families including a Guide for Parents and Carers to Protect Children and Young People from Sexual Abuse and downloadable songs and games to teach children important personal safety skills.
3. Daniel Morcombe Foundation Keeping Kids Safe Resources for Teachers, Parents & Carers

Guidance on authorised officers using department-issued devices

When attending services, it is standard practice for authorised officers to bring department-issued devices to ensure they have the necessary tools for documentation of evidence and reporting.

Authorised officers may use their department-issued devices for:

• Completing electronic checklists
• Taking photos for evidence purposes
• Accessing resources
• Communication with other department staff.

Authorised officers are not permitted to use their personal devices while onsite.