Overview

The National Quality Framework (NQF) provides a national approach to regulation of the quality of education and care (ECEC) services across Australia, and supports your organisation's work providing for children's development and learning.

The 2019 NQF Review was established to ensure that the NQF is current, fit-for-purpose and implemented through best practice regulation.

Based on findings from the 2019 NQF Review, Commonwealth, state and territory, education ministers have agreed to changes to the National Quality Framework (NQF).

The 2019 NQF Review recommended changes to the Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations, as well as additional guidance for the sector to enhance children's health, safety and wellbeing. Regular reviews of the National Quality Framework ensure the regulatory system remains current, achieves its objectives and supports Australia's approved services to provide high quality education and care to children and young people.

The review process included two rounds of consultation with the education and care sector, families and the broader community on the issues and the proposed options for change.

On 6 May 2022, Education Ministers approved the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS), including the recommended changes of the NQF. The DRIS, which includes a summary of the proposals and recommended changes, can be found on the NQF Review website.

When will the changes come into effect?

The majority of changes are expected to come into effect from mid-2023.

Changes include new safety requirements, improved oversight and compliance tools for Regulatory Authorities, new workforce requirements and improved regulatory guidance.

In light of a number of recent incidents involving serious harm to children left on vehicles, new regulatory requirements for services around regular transportation are expected to come into effect from early 2023.

To ensure education and care services are able to proactively prepare for new requirements and develop strategies for implementation, governments and ACECQA will provide further guidance and resources over coming months.

Public consultation

As part of national consultations on the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS), each state and territory held Information sessions to help stakeholders understand the issues and impact of the options.

The NSW Department of Education held online information sessions on the CRIS between 15-25 March 2021.

National consultation on the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) provided stakeholders with the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed options for change through a sector survey, a family and carers survey, and in detail through written submissions. This feedback was considered by governments when recommending changes to the NQF and is highlighted throughout the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS).

Further information

For further information about the 2019 NQF Review, including a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), please visit the 2019 NQF Review website.