22 December 2025

Child Safety Updates 

Strengthening safety in education and care: National Quality Framework (NQF) Changes

Australian governments have agreed to major reforms to strengthen child safety in early childhood education and care. These reforms respond to clear community expectations for safer, more transparent and accountable services. They also support a stronger regulatory framework and a more capable workforce.

Following extensive consultation, Education Ministers have endorsed a package of changes to the National Law and Regulations. These changes are informed by the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS) and will be implemented in stages from December 2025 to February 2026.

What is changing and why

The reforms will further embed child safety across the sector by:

• increasing provider accountability
• improving information sharing
• expanding regulatory powers
• strengthening safeguards such as Working with Children Checks (WWCC)
• building workforce capability through mandatory child protection and child safety training
• establishing a National Early Childhood Worker Register.

These changes aim to deter non-compliance, prevent unsuitable people from working with children, and create more consistent national expectations.

Key commencement dates

From Royal Assent (as of 10 December 2025):

• extension of the limitation period for prosecuting offences, with a new ‘stop the clock’ provision
• improved information-sharing powers for regulatory authorities, including access to information from recruitment agencies.

From 2 January 2026:

• tripled maximum penalties for offences under the National Law and Regulations
• expanded use of infringement notices
• four existing regulations becoming offences.

From 27 February 2026:

• introduction of a new paramount consideration requiring all staff, volunteers and providers to prioritise children’s safety, rights and best interests in every decision
• new rules for the use of digital devices in services, with limits on personal devices
• mandatory child protection and nationally consistent child safety training for all workers and volunteers.
• new offences for inappropriate conduct
• expanded powers for regulatory authorities to respond to misconduct, including suspensions and training directions
• strengthened WWCC requirements (varying by jurisdiction)
• removal of ongoing waivers for premises design requirements related to supervision
• new powers to identify and monitor related providers
• expanded inspection powers for family day care premises
• establishment of the National Early Childhood Worker Register.

Services should refer to their regulatory authority for local requirements.

More information

ACECQA will make future adjustments to the Guide to the NQF and will release detailed information sheets as changes are confirmed. Current resources include:

• latest NQF child safety changes
• limitation period changes
• maximum penalties and infringement notices
• National Early Childhood Worker Register.

For ongoing updates, visit ACECQA’s Child Safety page.

Together, these reforms represent a strong, national commitment to safeguarding children’s wellbeing in education and care.