New data shows more services are meeting the National Quality Standard (NQS).
When the Albanese Government came to office, 88 per cent of services were Meeting NQS or above. This has now increased to 92 per cent - the highest level since the Standard was put in place in 2013.
In 2022, 90 per cent of services had a NQS rating. This is now 94 per cent.
Regulator visits to services also increased by 15.2 per cent year on year and visits for assessment and rating purposes increased by 4.5 per cent year on year.
This is encouraging, but there is more work to do.
Last year the Government introduced new laws which allow the Commonwealth Government to cut off funding to centres that don't meet the NQS.
Services that fail to meet these standards may have further conditions placed on their Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approval, or risk having their CCS approval suspended or cancelled.
The Department of Education has initiated compliance action against more than 60 early childhood education and care services under the new powers. For many the deadline is fast approaching.
In the last quarter, 69 per cent of services rated Working Towards NQS improved their rating when reassessed and the number of services rated Significant Improvement Required decreased by 37.5 per cent.
Last year, Education Ministers agreed to more regular assessment and rating visits. States and territories will ensure that all services are assessed on average every three years, with more frequent visits for those rated Working Towards the NQS.
Source: ACECQA NQF Snapshot Q4 2025.
