Changes to the National Quality Agenda – 2017
Changes to the National Law and Regulations were introduced from 1 October 2017 to ensure the delivery of early childhood education and care services nationally continues to improve in the most efficient and effective way.
The changes follow a review of the National Quality Agenda (NFQ) that commenced in 2014.
All Australian governments are committed to supporting the sector to understand and respond to these changes. There is a transitional period for some changes to allow services time to adjust.
The new National Law and Regulations can be found on the ACECQA website.
An updated Guide to the NQF provides the latest information on applications and approvals, the National Quality Standard (NQS), operational requirements and other details.
A series of information sheets and resources are also available covering:
- responsible person requirements
- notifications, incidents and complaints
- how to transition to the revised NQS
- documenting programs for school age children
- requirements for family day care educators and providers
- new guidance on determining Exceeding NQS for standards and more.
On 1 February 2018, a revised National Quality Standard (NQS) commences in all states and territories, including Western Australia. An updated version of the National Law and Regulations, and the Guide to the NQF, will be made available at this time.
The revised National Quality Standard (NQS) will strengthen quality through greater clarity, remove conceptual overlap between elements and standards, clarify language and reduce the number of standards and elements from 18 standards to 15, and 58 to 40 elements.
More information
- Visit ACECQA’s webpage for a summary of key changes.
- Download the Education Council Statement.
- Sign up to the ACECQA newsletter to stay informed of changes to the NQF.