20 March 2026

From the Chief Executive 

As we step into 2026, it’s already proving to be a year of momentum and meaningful progress for everyone across the early childhood education and care sector. The pace of change has been significant, and so too have the expectations placed on services and educators. I want to acknowledge the unwavering dedication you continue to show as we navigate this period of substantial national reform together.

The child safety reforms that commenced on 27 February mark a major milestone in strengthening protections for children across Australia. These updated requirements bring greater national consistency, ensuring that our collective child safety practices are not only aligned, but firmly centred on the wellbeing of every child in every community.

Thank you to everyone who joined our recent National Child Safety Reforms webinar. It was fantastic to see such a diverse range of services represented and actively engaged. For those who were unable to attend, the slides will be made available. We will also share a link and QR code to provide feedback on the session. I encourage you to take a moment to complete this, as your insights will help shape and improve future sessions.

I am also pleased to confirm that our Meet the Regulator event will be held on Tuesday 16 June 2026. A morning and afternoon session will be available to book into, with communication on how to register to be shared with the sector in the coming weeks. This event offers a valuable opportunity for educators, leaders, and approved providers to engage directly with us in a collaborative environment.

Thank you for your continued dedication as we work through this important phase of reform.

Benn Gramola
Chief Executive
Education Standards Board

Early Childhood Education and Care

New legislative changes are now in effect

In 2025, Education Ministers across Australia agreed to a comprehensive package of reforms designed to strengthen child safety across education and care settings. 

From 27 February 2026 new requirements under the National Law and Regulations took effect.

National Early Childhood Worker register

From 27 February 2026, the National Early Childhood Worker Register (Worker Register) became operational across Australia.

The Worker Register provides state and territory Regulatory Authorities with a secure, national view of who is working in education and care services and where. This improves regulatory oversight and supports child safety across the sector.

Display and reporting of prescribed information – service quality ratings

Approved providers and services are reminded to update their quality rating on digital and print marketing material to ensure it accurately reflects their current rating.

Schools